Adrian Belew

It’s understandable if you immediately think: OHMUHGAWD, LES CLAYPOOL AND DANNY CAREY FROM TOOL ARE PLAYING WITH ADRIAN BELEW AS A POWER TRIO, MAN! But before you run to the record store with your head on fire, be aware that Belew’s distinguished guests appear only on the first three tracks. Although this “supergroup” collaboration isn’t entirely a rip-off, you wouldn’t exactly recognize the other two players in a blind listening test, either. In fact, the album seems to come alive only after Belew is left to his own devices. The contribution by Gary Tussing (cello) and Peter Hyrka (violin) on “Madness,” for example, brings a way more suitable edge. Belew’s guitar is capable of intense, otherworldly sounds, but an unobtrusive mix and the melodic singing smooth out much of Side One‘s texture. You may start wishing that Belew would let things rip more, but then you remind yourself that restraint is the album’s biggest asset.