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Allan Holdsworth - I.O.U. CD (album) cover

I.O.U.

Allan Holdsworth

 

Jazz Rock/Fusion

4.05 | 130 ratings

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UMUR
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
4 stars I have owned Allan Holdsworthīs album Secrets for years but never listened to anything else from him. It was first when I read a review of Meshuggah where Frederik Thordendal was compared to Holdsworth that my interest was renewed.

I started with I.O.U. as I read a lot of nice reviews about this one, and there is absolutely no doubt that this is Holdsworth. The man has a very distinct guitar style and sound. I really love his kind of ambient yet technical rythm style. His solos on this album are also fantastic stuff. He is very fast, but I donīt think this is his main force. Itīs more his choice of notes that are a bit untraditional. I hear jazz, but I also hear more avant garde things in his style. There are of course also a bit of rock there. It clear to hear why many modern day guitarists especially in the metal world are influences by Allan Holdsworth.

This would have been a masterpiece if it wasnīt for the IMO horrific vocals. Jazzy and misplaced this sounds like a drunk John Wetton. Not in my taste at all. Itīs really too bad because the instrumental songs are really excellent and the songs with vocals are really good too when you try to block out the vocal parts. I guess itīs an aquired taste if you like the vocals, but sadly they turn me off.

I would have given this 5 stars if it wasnīt for the vocal style and the somehow odd vocal melodies. Itīs still an excellent album though, even though it has flaws. Iīll be looking forward to listening to more albums from Holdsworth thatīs for sure.

UMUR | 4/5 |

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