We exploited angle-resolved photoemission (ARPES) to investigate the nature of the elementary quasiparticle (QP) excitations in selected low-dimensional compounds. In the model quasi two-dimensional conductor TiTe2, we observe spectral lineshapes which are consistent with a Fermi liquid (FL) scenario, and the usual QP scattering mechanisms. In contrast, in typical quasi one-dimensional Peierls systems like TTF-TCNQ, (TaSe4)(2)I and K0.3MoO3 we find clear non-FL lineshapes. We briefly discuss the possible origins of these unusual properties. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.