The Vegetarians of Love

AMG Review of The Vegetarians of Love

Tom Demalon
All Music Guide

Geldof returns after a four-year absence with his second solo release, The Vegetarians of Love. Again, there are some high-profile guests including Paul Carrack, Kevin Godley, and Dave Stewart, but this Rupert Hine-produced affair has a low-key feel to it. Geldof applies his Dylanesque croak to a set that is very heavy on Irish-folk influences with rich results.

"A Gospel Song" is a gorgeous, organ-driven track that leads things off. Dave Stewart lends his guitar work to the catchy pop/rock of "Love Or Something." "The Great Song of Indifference," is a wry, tongue-in-cheek stomp fueled by pennywhistles, accordion and violin. There's even the appearance of former Boomtown Rat bandmate Pete Briquette playing bass and keyboards and co-writing the pleasant, albeit meandering, "Thinking Voyager 2 Type Things." A commercial flop on both sides of the Atlantic, this album is, nonetheless, a joyous romp from start to finish.