OP ZOP TOO WAH

Eclectic, poly-stylistic, playful, energetic, fast moving - moves from one idea very quickly to the other - almost a high speed collage album - the perfect experimental rock album for a sound bite culture.

Whereas previous Belew solo albums were EITHER hard core experimental ('Desire Caught by the Tail') OR full of Beatles-pop pastiches ('Inner Revolution'/'Here'), 'Op Zop Too Wah' incorporates both angles of Adrian Belew's musical personality.... and (like his later sprawling 'Sides' series) really shows what this man is capable of as a creative musician, songwriter, producer, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and guitarist.

What we have here are catchy quirky songs, often with blistering guitar playing, interspersed with shorter instrumental or sound collage type pieces. Adrian more or less plays everything himself and the range of textures, colours and styles have to be heard to be believed.

As the first solo masterwork from such a long time contributor to progressive/experimental music through his work with Zappa, Bowie and, critically, King Crimson, this album must be deemed a classic and, as such, is essential listening for progressive listeners.