[Review] Adrian Belew: Twang Bar King (1983)

Lone Rhino was not alone anymore as Belew creates this companion record.

Kronomyth 2.0: Something borrowed, something belew.

This is the original review I wrote on September 11, 2005: “Adrian Belew apparently emptied out his bag of musical tricks on Lone Rhino, so hearing them again for the second time on Twang Bar King is something of a disappointment. He improves upon the originals in a few cases: Fish Head is better than “Swingline” (especially the Bowiesque ending), Another Time is even prettier than “The Man in the Moon,” She Is Not Dead gives an Eastern treatment to “Big Electric Cat” and the instrumental Ballet for a Blue Whale is at least a match for “Naïve Guitar.” The remaining material, however, falls short. Some of it is outright filler (Sexy Rhino, The Ideal Woman), some of it ill-advised posturing (the title track, a noisy cover of The Beatles’ I’m Down), and none of it adds one iota to what Belew accomplished with Lone Rhino. The backing band remains the same, adding Nashville session drummer Larrie Londin to free up Belew a bit (although the album isn‘t noticeably better for it). Twang Bar King ultimately feels like outtakes from the Lone Rhino sessions with a smattering of “A” material. Honestly, those interested in a followup to his debut would do better to buy the next King Crimson album, Three of a Perfect Pair.”

Now, this is me twenty years later. If Twang Bar King feels like a copy of Lone Rhino (and, yes, it still does), there are far worse things to copy. I can listen to this album now without expectations, and what I hear today is a wonderfully demented pop record crammed full of humor and invention. My original “outtakes” comment is off the mark; better to think of this as the second half of a single work. I also failed to give the backing band their props. This is some complex stuff and the band shines despite the lack of big names. These days, I would tell you that, if you enjoyed Lone Rhino, you owe it to yourself to hear Twang Bar King. And, yeah, you should definitely pick up Discipline, Beat and Three of a Perfect Pair too.

Original elpee version

A1. I’m Down (John Lennon/Paul McCartney) (2:54)
A2. I Wonder (4:39)
A3. Life Without a Cage (3:20)
A4. Sexy Rhino (0:37)
A5. Twang Bar King (1:26)
A6. Another Time (3:02)
A7. The Rail Song (5:39)
B1. Paint the Road (3:19)
B2. She Is Not Dead (4:41)
B3. Fish Head (4:30)
B4. The Ideal Woman (4:08)
B5. Ballet for a Blue Whale (4:44)

All songs written and arranged by Adrian Belew unless noted.

The Players

Adrian Belew (guitars, percussion, lead vocals), Christy Bley (acoustic piano, vocals), William Janssen (saxophones, bass clarinet, vocals), Larrie Londin (drums), J. Clifton Mayhugh (bass, vocals) with Gary Platt (bass trombone). Produced by Adrian Belew; engineered and remixed by Gary Platt except A5 by Rich Denhart; production assisted by Rich Denhart; executive producer: Stan Hertzman.

The Pictures

Album design and artwork by Mike Getz.

The Plastic

Released on elpee in September 1983 in the US (Island, 90108), the UK (Island, ILPS 9768), Canada (Island, 79 01081) and Germany (Island, 205 635) with gatefold cover. Reached #146 on the US charts. (First appeared in 9/10/83 issued of Billboard.)

1. Re-issued on compact disc in the US (Island, 842 845).
2. Re-issued on 24-bit remastered compact disc in Japan (Island, UICY-9238).
3. Re-packaged w. Lone Rhino on remastered 2-for-1 compact disc on October 18, 2004 (Gott Discs).