Customer Reviews

Flat Tire

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Flat tire has a very personal, reflective, searching and atmospheric feel to it. Allan utilizes almost exclusively (except the 1st track) on this disc an interesting and rarely used, almost extinct piece of technology/instrument, the Synthaxe. In fact, the model he uses is long out of production, it's like a musical fossil. Anyway, some pieces and area's of the disc sound very symphonic like 'Don't You Know' but don't be fooled it's just Allan and his Synthaxe, playing knuckle knotty chords and letting the tones sustain, shift, mesh and drift into one another creating huge textures that resemble a 100 violins, amazing. Snow Moon is an epic track jammed with amazing directions and ideas which eventually leads to frantic yet intricate drum programming that follows his out of this world solo lines. Then you have the brassy sounds on 'The Duplicate Man', the jazzy 'Bo Peep', the fun syncopations of 'Curves' (killer track!). Lots of great stuff here, this disc really sticks out and is quite different from anything else in Allan's body of recorded work. I hope there will be a sequel to this movie for your ears. Highlights include; The Duplicate Man, Curves, Bo Peep, and the 2 epic's Snow Moon & Don't You Know.

Once again Allan has produced something that is truly magical. From the opening track, an almost ethereal guitar sound, to the last, the magnificent 'don't you know', wow! This is by far Allan's most personal CD, you can tell by his passionate words on the inside cover that it is a true labor of love. Truly stunning.

Collectors and fans only... My suggestion is for you to buy "Metal Fatigue," "Secrets" and the "Sixteen Men of Tain." Listen, learn to appreciate an acquired taste. Study the sounds, complex melodies and unearthly rhythms. Get to know the man; read the many bios, articles and comments by guitarists and guitar historians. After you've become well versed, seek and find Flat Tire... Only then can you unlock the beauty of this disc. On first listen I was completely underwhelmed. The Synthaxe is not your everyday instrument. It's a bit harsh and cold at first. It took me a while to accept the sound and get to the music.

This is the one man show, much like the guy with a kick drum, accordian and harmonica. Allan plays all the drum parts using the Synth triggers, a tube that Allan blows through, controls the power of a note and adds sustain. The tunes really dance and flow with an emotion which is deep and personal. You must keep in mind that this album serves as a soundtrack, the actual sub-title is: "Music for a Non-Existent Movie." There are a lot of ambient passages and chord washes that swell and spin, but Allan's solos are lilting and fiery.

Dave Carpenter adds bass on two tracks, which gives those tracks a bit of warmth which is missing throughout.

Check out the 4 star Allan Holdsworth discs first. If you can't get enough, then get this one.

Next to the short recording, Sand or IOU, This is Allan Holdsworth BEST work! Yes, it is a personal recorded, but it is also a Masterpiece record in many ways. I have followed Allan since his days with the band Tempest and have watched him grow as a writer, performer, production master and Player. Listen to the song, "Don't You Know" and you will not believe this is performed entirely without keyboards! Listen to Curves, and you'll think he is a whole band. He mastered what he invisioned the Synthaxe to do- Perform like an entire orchestra. Well that might be pushing it a little, but it is fantastic. Best spin!

This is Allan's quieter album,using primarily Synthaxe.Very appealing ,very textural effort from my favourite electric guitarist.If you dig Torn,Tibbetts,Bill Connors,Fripp,Machacek,Gunn then you'll likely enjoy this one.

I love Allan's recorded output, own most of it and feel he is an innovative and soulful player/composer without many peers. I've enjoyed most of his Synthaxe playing (especially Distance Vs Desire from Sand) but this recording, which I've wanted for some time is disappointing. If you are a fan you can find this at cdbaby for about $20

This is an O.K CD.....I'd recommend that you start with something else if you are new to Holdsworth. Don't pay the ASKING PRICES HERE $70 U.S...YOU HAVE GOT TO BE JOKING...THAT'S AN ABSOLUTE RIPOFF!!! Stuff like this makes me sick...people making profit at the artists expense...Don't give them the satisfaction!!! Allan Holdsworth is a genius , but this is far from his best CD.

A fabulous outing from master guitarist Allan Holdsworth, and the only release prominently featuring his rarely seen Synthaxe. The instrument lends itself well to his trademark legato playing style, and features bassist Dave Carpenter on two tracks and Allan on guitar on one track. "Flat Tire" is an intensely personal collection of originals that deserves a good listen and then some. This rarity is a must for Holdsworth collectors and Synthaxe fans alike.

Being a fan of Holdsworth for 15 years I found this work of art
to be one of his best.This music sounds diffrent always.Way ahead of its time.Put on your Phones lay back and enter the world
of the best there is Allan Holdsworth.