Flat Tire is a departure in that it is Allan Holdsworth's first
unaccompanied record, executed with the Synthaxe guitar synthesizer.
Holdsworth uses the instrument not only to play basslines, string- and
choir-like chord swells, and quicksilver single-note lines, but also to
trigger drum patches. The result is more of a one-man band effect than a
solo guitar performance. Some of the synth sounds are quite reminiscent
of his 1987 album Sand. The music is a bit static and repetitive
overall, particularly on tracks like "Please Hold On," "So Long," and
"Don't You Know," during which single lines flutter over subtly shifting
rubato harmonies. The brassy chords that surface during "The Duplicate
Man" are perhaps the best example of Holdsworth's sonic creativity. More
varied and rewarding are the tempo-based tracks, particularly "Eeny
Meeny" and "Bo Peep," both of which feature bassist Dave Carpenter, who
played on 2000's excellent The Sixteen Men of Tain. Other highlights
include the quasi-African percussion collage of "Snow Moon" and the
steady groove and syncopations of "Curves." Certainly not the best
introduction to Holdsworth's music, but his die-hard fans will want to
pay it close attention. David R. Adler
Tracklist :
1. The Duplicate Man [Intro] 1:52
2. The Duplicate Man 4:42
3. Eeny Meeny 4:48
4. Please Hold On 4:00
5. Snow Moon 8:04
6. Curves 5:36
7. So Long 5:31
8. Bo Peep 3:47
9. Don't You Know 9:12
Credits :
Acoustic Bass – Dave Carpenter (tracks: 3, 8)
Guitar, SynthAxe, Producer – Allan Holdsworth
