Japanese exclusive reissue, limited to 5,000 pieces, of 1982 album that's out-of-print domestically, packaged in a miniature LP sleeve. Island. 2002.
CD Reviews
Strong first solo release from Crimson & Bears vocalist
Wayne Klein | My Little Blue Window, USA | 07/23/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Yikes, this is dating me. I purchased Lone Rhino on vinyl when Island released it shortly after King Crimson's release came out. I still have the vinyl. I've been meaning to transfer it for some time and burn a decent copy. Now I don't have to. Belew's first solo album has some of his sharpest songs on it. The Zappa and Beatles influences are all over the place but it's still uniquely Ade. From the stomping Big Electric Cat with its yowling guitar and backward drumming to Man in the Moon Ade's (I assume)moving song about his father, Lone Rhino is top notch. So why only 4 Stars? It's not his best album. Meet The Beatles (or Please Please Me & With The Beatles if you're discussing the CD releases and/or vinyl releases throghout the world expect the US)wasn't The Beatles best. It was a remarkable blast of fresh air. So is Lone Rhino.I know a number of Belew fans who dislike the instrumental pieces. I find them to be moving and melodic. Belew makes music do the talking here. The mournful Lone Rhino is an instrumental highlight. In many respects Lone Rhino reminds me of McCartney's first solo album. It's simple but never simplistic; it's direct but never blunt; it's melodic but doesn't meander. It isn't a perfect album. It does have its flaws but those flaws seem less of an issue twenty years later. Occasionally Belew goes for the easy humor of Adidas in Heat. It's a bopping little tune that deserved better lyrics or, perhaps, deserved not to be on the album. Still, it's got charm and the brass band coda does make up for the shortcomings of the lyrics.Lone Rhino sounds great. It has been remastered from the original analog masters using the 24 bit mastering popular now. The sleeve (and it is a sleeve)is an exact replica of the original one from 1982 except that there is no paper sleeve with the lyrics (they're printed on a folded one sheet in Japanese and English). Issued (if memory serves) right around the time of Beat, Lone Rhino proved that Belew had much more talent than was evident in Crimson."
Does not need bonus tracks
Kara McGuire | Colorado Springs, CO United States | 03/14/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Listening to this material after 10 years literally brought tears to my eyes. This is one I have been waiting for on CD ever since I wore out my cassette copy. This CD mastering job does the material justice, and the packaging (with lyrics!) is nothing short of top-notch.For those of you not familiar with Adrian Belew's music, this is an ideal place to start. I recommend starting with track 2. Like a co-worker said upon hearing it for the first time, this is fun music you don't have to think about.Then the track 7-8-9 segue is a religious experience!
Highly recommended. Now, on to that new Joe Jackson Band release..."
El primero
J. B. Fresno | Madrid, Spain | 06/10/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Lone Rhino es el primer disco en solitario de Adrian Belew después de haber pasado por lo más granado del rock anglosajón: Bowie, Zappa, Talking Heads, King Crimson, etc. En este disco recoge todas esas influencias y las pasa por su propio tamiz. El resultado es un buen disco que, sin embargo, ha sido frecuentemente sobrevalorado. Posiblemente por su imposibilidad para conseguirlo en CD hasta este momento. Aún siendo bueno, aún esta lejos de otras joyas como "Here"."
Lone Rhino Rips
WillieB | 08/03/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Before Adrian Belew was a guitar player, he was a drummer, and a good one obviously. On Lone Rhino, his first solo release, Adrian plays guitar, sings, and pounds the skins like a pro. The music is upbeat, solid, entertaining and the lyrics are ingenious. Adrian uses effects/pedals like no one else and the unusual sounds he gets out of his guitar (roars, grunts, squeaks, atmospheric tones, etc.) are completely original and refreshing. The effects are secondary of course, as his rhythm and lead work rival the best guitarists around. The man has played with Zappa, Bowie, King Crimson, Talking Heads, and others, for good reason. Amazing talent. Other musicians on the record are: J. Clifton Mayhugh (bass/vocal), Christy Bley (piano/vocal), William Janssen (sax/vocal), and his daughter plays piano on the final track.
The Japanese import sounds wonderful and the layout, a mini-replica of the album complete with plastic sleeve for the CD, is very cool, but it will not fit in a (non-shelf adjustable) CD storage unit because it's too high. Small complaint for such a great album!
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1