Adrian Belew
INNER REVOLUTION (Atlantic 1992)

Inner Revolution cover

Produced by Adrian Belew

Engineered by Rich Denhart; assisted by Dan Harjung

Recorded at Royal Recorders

Adrian Belew - all instruments and vocals except:

  • Mick Barnett - string bass for "Believe In"
  • Chris Arduser - drums for "Believe In", "Shadow", "Heavenly Bed", and "Member Of The Tribe".

I've always liked Adrian Belew, but mostly when he was playing with others. I first heard him on the live Bowie record STAGES, where he was playing the Fripp parts on tour. Soon after, he appeared in the extended Talking Heads group, the 80's King Crimson, then everywhere (or so it seemed.) I bought his first solo release, LONE RHINO, liked a few songs but afterward never really found his albums as compelling as his collaborations. Until this record....

This is Belew's love letter to the hooky pop music of the Beatles and the Move (and ELO). Stacks o' harmony, catchy melodies and even a bit of jangly pop. While acknowledging the influences, the songs are always first and foremost Belew. The opener, "Inner Revolution" starts with a Lennonesque / TNK intro and moves into a nice head-bouncer. "This Is What I Believe In" wouldn't be out of place on Crimson's BEAT. "Big Blue Sun is the best song Jeff Lynne never wrote, down to the echo-y piano intro/outro, the arco strings and the thin, compressed guitar lines. "Everything" is a McCartney turn a la "Lady Madonna" by way of Wings.

The more I listen, the more things I find I like about this record. Sadly it is out of print but used copies are pretty easy to come by. I've seen in on eBay reasonably priced. Well worth your time and a little effort.


Posted 21 June 03