Road Games
Allan Holdsworth · 1983
24 min · 6 tracks · jazz
A swirling blend of intricate guitar work and complex rhythms that defines the zenith of jazz fusion's technical prowess.
Top tracks — play these first
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Three Sheets to the Wind — This opening track features complex time signatures and rapid-fire guitar solos that set the tone for the entire album, showcasing Holdsworth's unique style.
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Road Games — The title track encapsulates the essence of the album with its catchy melody intertwined with intricate harmonies and showcases Holdsworth's signature legato playing.
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Tokyo Dream — This piece highlights Holdsworth's ability to weave emotive melodies through technically demanding passages, providing a softer contrast amidst the more aggressive tracks.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalRoad Games exemplifies intricate musicianship and technical prowess in jazz fusion, appealing to both enthusiasts and aspiring musicians.
What we noticed
- Each track showcases extended guitar solos that often employ unconventional scales and techniques, highlighting Holdsworth's virtuosic playing.
- The interplay between guitar, bass, and drums creates a dense texture, with rhythmic shifts that challenge traditional jazz forms.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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9/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo flow throughout
- intricate guitar work exploration
- focused listening for detail
- short sessions of complex rhythms
Maybe skip if you
- seeking quick, catchy tracks
- prefer straightforward song structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- When Allan Holdsworth released Road Games in 1983, he was establishing himself as a prominent figure in the jazz fusion genre following his work with Soft Machine and UK. This album came after his breakthrough record, Metal Fatigue, and showcased his virtuosic guitar skills and innovative approach to composition.
- Stylistic neighbors
- John McLaughlin· Pat Metheny· Frank Gambale
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Three Sheets to the Wind 4:14
- 2 Road Games 4:14
- 3 Water on the Brain, Part II 2:49
- 4 Tokyo Dream 4:04
- 5 Was There? 4:09
- 6 Material Real 4:41
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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