YOUNG LIONS

If one leans toward the murky or brutal sounds of Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree and their ilk, this album is going to be difficult to appreciate. Anyone who loves the classic progressive rock bands who started off in the sixties and seventies (e.g., King Crimson, ELP, Yes, The Moody Blues) or got off on The Traveling Wilburys will really get into this. Those with broad-minded tastes that manage to span the above extremes should also find Young Lions delightful.

Here is a fine example of Adrian Belew's vocal & guitar virtuosity, and compositional skills, but by no means covers them all. It has touches of World Music sounds and lots of back-to-the-basics rock lyrics and melodies. His choice of collaborators, David Bowie and Omega, is superb; they give so much depth to each piece they lend their vocal talents to. Belew does a great cover tune from The Traveling Wilburys: "Not Alone Anymore". Also included is "Heartbeat" from AB's collaboration with King Crimson on "Beat". Every song is a real treat. I can only fault this recording on its tendency to concentrate on environmentalism; but that's only minor..it's just Belew.and his jabbing at Earth exploitation has a nice edge to it.