Following a flurry of albums in 2004, guitarist John Frusicante took some time off from his solo career to focus on the Red Hot Chili Peppers. After the band released Stadium Arcadium in 2006, the band embarked on a two year world tour, after which, the Peppers went on hiatus. In 2009, Frusicante released his 10th solo studio album, through Record Collection.Popping on the headphones for the first listen, the album begins with a nine minute solo guitar piece which brings to mind Eddie Hazel’s performance of Maggot Brain. It is a solid start to the record and is almost haunting in its simplicity. Not to say it is a basic set of notes, however the feeling it invokes is simple yet deep.
One thing that strikes many long-time listeners of Frusicante’s solo works is the improvement in his vocal range over the years. The albums he released while addicted to heroin consisted of mostly off note vocals, mixed in with some screeches. Rolling Stone said in a 2004 album review (post-drugs) that “He (Frusicante) now sounds more like Cat Stevens then a caterwauling homeless dude”. On this record, he shows off his falsetto that fans of the Chili Peppers have heard throughout the years, but even more impressive is his control over his voice, shifting from high to low in the same song.
Other key tracks include a cover of Tim Buckely’s Song to the Siren, which turns that classic into a long winding road of emotion, as well as Dark/Light. With appearances by former band mate Flea, and friend/frequent collaborator Josh Klinghoffer, the album is layered quite nicely. It is not just Frusciante singing with a solo guitar a la Dashboard Confessional, rather it has a depth to it that even Frusicante’s other albums lack.
Grade----A
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