Search - Adrian Belew :: Salad Days

Belew Grooves On Acoustic Roots In Salad Days

Lunatic Muse | El Paso, TX | 03/26/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"After losing himself in the moody bitterness of 1994's "Here" and the inarticulate, half-finished "Op Zop Too Wah", Adrian Belew returns to the optimism and skillfully crafted pop of his older work with the acoustic album, "Salad Days". Taking the better songs from his King Crimson days and a bevvy of work from his masterpiece "Mr. Music Head" and the near perfect "Young Lions" and "Inner Revolution", Belew's vision seems to have returned intact. His songwriting is wonderful and creative, his voice hasn't been this powerful in a long time and his guitar work, even in an acoustic capacity, is stunning. Lyrically, Belew tackles subjects ranging from a rhino's perspective in his cage, a narrative given by a dead dinosaur, and most touchingly, a narration by a railroad worker who is watching his beloved trains, and himself, become obsolete. There are also live versions of the Crimson song "Three Of A Perfect Pair" and "Fly", a stunning track that outdoes the original studio version. Belew's artistic talent had been waning as of late, so it is a pleasure to hear him reworking some of his older material. "Salad Days" isn't his best work, but it comes close. Personal Favorites: the aching simplicity of "The Rail Song", the beautifully rendered live version of "Fly" and the lumbering Crimson song, "Dinosaur". Representative Lyrics: "All around us the rules are changing/ taller walls and stronger cages/ nothing is sacred or too outrageous" ("Cage"); "I gave her my best years/ well what can you do but laugh/ I don't expect she'll ever be coming back" ("The Rail Song")"

If you like Adrian Belew you will like this CD !

Lunatic Muse | 07/24/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"At a time when everbody is unplugged it only seems fitting that Adrian Belew should do it. More than just being unplugged one really gets the sense that many of these songs are being presented as he first played them; at the conception stage. Other songs, such as "Men in Helicopters" are stripped of a larger production yet added is a moving string ensemble that is perfect. An acoustic version of "The Rail Song" makes me think of why I love Belew so much; it is the lyrical message and musical simplicity that are combined to make touching songs. Two live songs round this CD out and make it a collectible item for a Belew fan. This CD is great !"

Charming, creative, very musical and different.

Lunatic Muse | 03/11/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is really exceptional stuff. Adrian shows just how great a songwriter he is by presenting his music wih as much simplicity as possible, and all-acoustically! "Never Enough" is an excellent pop tune in the traditional sense, and "Men In Helicopters" shows what a really creative artist can do with pop music forms. And the two sound-collage pieces on the album show just how inventive he can be in a different way. And I'm sure King Crimson fans will get a huge kick out of hearing his live, solo acoustic rendition (in Argentina!) of "Three Of A Perfect Pair." I wonder if maybe people who think of Adrian as being kind of a technically-oriented musician will be encouraged to realize that it's his personality that is what draws you in the most, and it really comes out here in his excellent lyrics, singing and unique approach to life in general. Pretty darn charming! I would think if you didn't really know much about Adrian Belew, this would be a good place to start."