This came out in 2005 — or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
Adrian Belew is making up for lost time.
After keeping fans waiting five years for a new solo album, the idiosyncratic guitar hero is reportedly releasing a trilogy of discs this year. Side One, the kickoff, has all the quirky invention and technical prowess you’d expect from the former King Crimson frontman and sidekick for everyone from David Bowie to Frank Zappa. Except for a trio of cuts with Primus bassist Les Claypool and Tool drummer Danny Carey, Belew handles most of the musical and vocal chores, looping his circular Frippian guitar lines with offbeat grooves and quirky vocals to fashion typically progadelic, Krim-style art-pop. It’s all very serviceable and enjoyable; too bad it isn’t very innovative or audacious. Here’s hoping for better from Side Two.
