{$Barry Adamson} is playing quite the "{\jazz} devil" on {^As Above, So Below}. The album sees the dark noir guru taking a detour from the more {\experimental electronica} of {^Oedipus Schmoedipus} into a cool, brutal concept album of aggressive, ominous {\rock-jazz}. It seems that a great deal of {$Nick Cave}'s cinematic themes have rubbed off on {$Adamson} from his days as a {$Bad Seed}. Where {$Cave} deals mostly with vampiric {\goth} ballads, {$Adamson} creates his art under a moody, effective {\jazz} noir cloud. Many of the songs shuffle about with a determined sense of cool, as {$Adamson} utilizes deep crooning vocals; he often sounds remarkably like a more sane {$Nick Cave}, especially on {&"Come Hell or High Water."} Perhaps {$Adamson}'s work on {$David Lynch}'s {#Lost Highway} soundtrack inspired the tales of dead detectives and shady women detailed on {^As Above, So Below}. One can easily imagine these songs coming from a younger, rocking, and more sinister {$Angelo Badalamenti}, a frequent {$Lynch} collaborator. The album's high points include {&"Can't Get Loose,"} {&"Still I Rise,"} and {&"The Monkey Speaks His Mind."} {&"Can't Get Loose"} sees {$Adamson} cooly cooing over keyboards reminiscent of {$New Order}, with a fun, suave xylophone sound and a sample of {&"Can't Get Used to Losing You"} by legendary songwriters {$Doc Pomus} and {$Mort Shuman}. The song operates under a pleasant, humorous atmosphere, while still displaying ample doses of {$Adamson}'s warped, dark vibes. {&"Still I Rise"} is monumentally cool. {$Adamson} sounds quite angry and defensive, sing-screaming "still I rise" repeatedly, alternating that mantra with verses of autobiographical, stream-of-consciousness lyrics. The final cry is as punishing and entertaining as it is crass. {$Barry Adamson} has yet to release an album that isn't entirely compelling. {^As Above, So Below} is a strong, winning mix of style, emotion, and {\rock-jazz} noir power. It's a bold, satisfying vision from an artist who shows no fear in expressing the seedier sides of life. ~ Tim DiGravina, All Music Guide