When Yours Truly discovered he was going to review Salad Days this month, it was assumed to be a new Lettuce Entertain You restaurant. So I grabbed my bib, and my personalized fork, and I was already to go. Then I found out it was by Adrian Belew. So it wasn't a new vegetarian restaurant after all, but a compilation of acoustic material from Belew's long and not very storied career. Let's face it, the guy's biggest claim to fame is that he played with David Bowie.

That's really kind of a shame. Belew is an accomplished guitar player, and an excellent songwriter. The songs are culled from various points in his career, mainly from his earlier records. Unlike some of the other meandering work from his discography, Belew's acoustic songs are an ideal showcase for his guitar-playing talents. And with the exception of the art-noise tracks "Return of the Chicken" and "Things You Hit with a Stick," this is a fine compilation of Belew's work. Especially to hear such gems as "The Lone Rhinoceros," "Three of a Perfect Pair," and "I Remember How to Forget." These tracks show Belew at his ironic, tongue-in-cheek best.

Since so many of his records are out of print, Salad Days is a good way to gain introduction to Belew, in case you've only heard "Oh Daddy" on the radio now and then. It's also a good way for the more serious fan to fill in some holes in the collection. In a time when so much crap has been released for general consumption, give yourself a treat and plop your dollars down on Salad Days. You won't be disappointed.

-Duane Ambroz