Adrian Belew

Inner Revolution (Atlantic ’92) Rating: A-
Best known as a sideman (for Talking Heads and David Bowie, among others) and as a key member of King Crimson, Adrian Belew has also crafted some notable solo albums on his own (and I mean on his own, because Belew plays every single note on his albums). Inner Revolution features consistently engaging songs that are enhanced by his futuristic guitar tones and above average vocals (he no longer sounds like a David Byrne clone like on some of his Crimson stuff). His smooth musical delivery could easily be called Beatles-esque (and it has been - endlessly), but other comparisons are apt as well, and the sheer quality of this album's songs makes me want to resist any comparisons altogether. Most of these songs bear positive messages of self-empowerment, as this is one guy with lots of love to give (example: “let me love you like nobody ever tried”). He’s also clearly in love with pop, delivering catchy song after song, though he's also not above flexing his guitar chops on harder rocking songs such as "Inner Revolution," "Standing In The Shadow," "Only A Dream," and "Member Of The Tribe." However, more often then not it's all about the songs, as Belew's songwriting sparkles on this consistently strong album, which has no real weak tracks to speak of. Even the rare moodier excursions ("This Is What I Believe In," “The War In The Gulf Between Us,” and “I Walk Alone”) are well executed, but more often it's songs such as "Birds," a delightfully light and upbeat song that makes me think of a fine summer day, that makes this album such an uplifting pleasure. Elsewhere, "I'd Rather Be Right Here" and "Everything" remind me of George Harrison circa Cloud Nine, while "Big Blue Sun" is simply brilliant. An inspirational, life affirming love song, this marvel of melodic pop songwriting and performance likely had Jeff Lynne green with envy, as it sounds like a great long lost ELO classic. Granted, there's a dash of cheese to lines like “lift me up to heaven, up to the sky, our love is strong enough to fly," but Belew's positive vibes are infectious enough to win me over.

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