Mr. Music Head

After the debacle of Belew's post King Crimson band, The Bears, which had started off with a great media buzz...and then painfully fizzled, Adrian received a lifeline from a three-album deal with Atlantic Records.

Adrian Belew: Mr. Music Head

Adrian Belew: Mr. Music Head

Surprising everybody, Adrian even scored a minor MTV hit with Oh Daddy a commentary on his Bears problems, featuring his daughter, Audie.

Adrian Belew: Oh Daddy

She: "...Oh Daddy, when you gonna write that great big hit?
Oh Daddy, when you gonna hit it real, real big?..."

He:      "...Well, now that's a tall request
           For such a small little girl
           But I'll try, I'll try till I get it just right
           Cos I'm gonna make it, maybe even twice..."

Oh Daddy

A.B.: (Mr. Music Head) was very unusual because it's almost like two different records. The first side...this is back when they had sides...is pop songs, and the second side is a whole different sound. I actually did the second side first and then began what turned out to be the first side. So it was about seven songs before I had this little novelty song called Oh Daddy and that's actually what got me a record deal (laughs). No one was the least bit interested in the material that I had until suddenly Oh Daddy appeared on the scene...most people thought "this is a little bizarre, Adrian...I don't know how you're even gonna get a record deal." Interview snippet from Keneally.com 1992

Mr. Music Head has a low-key, modest Revolver Beatles feel to it...without the epic quality The Beatles' album had. Take a track like One Of Those Days, a piano driven* McCartney-like number which screams "Summer" and seems to be held back only by the missing John & George backing vocals.

Bad Days continues that musical vein, this time, a song about a marriage in trouble...

"...I knew the weather was supposed to turn grey
But I didn't know it'd never go away...
...Bad day's comin' my way...
...Bad days...
...Followed by those lonely nights..."

Bad Days

It's not all Beatle songs, though, there are weird word games on:

Bird In A Box

...and sonic experiments on:

Peacable Kingdom
Hot Zoo
Cruelty To Animals

...In fact, the guitar games on Cruelty probably led to his advertisements for Japanese TV (see "Extras" on my Adrian Belew main page). The standout track for Mr. Music Head, though, is 1967...a bitsy suite that's so much stronger than the sum of its parts, a suite that makes the famed Summer Of Love come alive...from a pop perspective.

Overall, Mr. Music Head is gentle album, much like a soothing drink of lemonade. If you don't expect sustenance...but just enjoy the delightful fizz instead, you'll have a wonderful experience.

Adrian Belew: Mr. Music Head

"...If you could make your guitar make any sound in the world what would it be? In the case of Adrian Belew, he can make it sound like every animal from Jumanji and quite a few you can't imagine. Unlike a lot of musicians, that's not just his focus. Belew loves melodic pop songs. He loves the Beatles. He loves much of the music of the 60's and 70's. He doesn't focus or dwell on the past but embellishes...it, using it as a foundation to build new music, not retro music..." Amazon.com reviewer Wayne Klein

"...Anyone who's ever seen Belew perform LIVE will recognize his pure joy at being on stage and making music and that joy comes through vividly on this wonderful disc. This is a wonderful accompaniment to a breezy spring afternoon or a summer drive to the country. Buy this CD!..." Amazon.com reviewer Daniel A. Cooper

"...An excellent album from an under-rated artist..." Amazon.com reviewer Stephen W. Houdek

* At Adrian's blog, read about: