I.O.U.

Allan Holdsworth has played on some favourite albums of mine including works from SOFT MACHINE and NUCLEUS. He does come across as being a hired gun. A man who is in high demand because he's so good at what he does. Anyway this is a solo album from Holdsworth with Husband on drums, Williams on vocals and Carmichael on bass. I really like the mood of this album and it has that same mood throughout. The musicianship is outstanding especially the guitar and drum work. As others have mentioned the vocals aren't the greatest but they don't bother me. Half the tracks are instrumentals anyway.

"The Things You See (When You Haven't Got Your Gun)" is a feeling I know too well. It hits the ground running as vocals arrive quickly. I like the drum work here. A calm after 1 1/2 minutes. Nice. Intricate guitar follows then the bass becomes prominant as we get flurries of drum attacks. Vocals are back after 4 1/2 minutes. "Where Is One" has such a good intro especially the guitar of Holdsworth.Beautiful stuff. Again the drumming is crisp and intricate. Guitar is on fire before 4 minutes. "Checking Out" is a vocal led tune until Allan takes the lead before 1 1/2 minutes. Check him out after 2 minutes ! Vocals follow.

"Letters Of Marquee" settles after a minute then slowly builds.The drumming is fantastic ! It's Holdsworth's turn as the bass throbs and the drums pound. Drum solo 5 minutes in. "Out From Under" is fairly heavy to open but it settles as the vocals arrive. It turns heavy again as contrasts continue. "Temporary Fault" is led by some laid back guitar there's even some piano 1 1/2 minutes in. "Shallow Sea" is my favourite track one here. Check out the atmosphere that goes on until before 3 minutes. I'm reminded of Terje Rypdal. Then it picks up as drums join in. The guitar and drums before 5 minutes are excellent. It ends like it began. Vocals enter right away on "White Line" and we get some impressive drumming. It calms right down but not for long. The guitar leads after 3 minutes. Vocals are back late.

"I.O.U." and "Metal Fatigue" are two Holdsworth albums I recommend highly.