Ataxia- Automatic Writing

Every now and then, an album comes along that merges different musicians of various styles who create something totally fresh and different. Automatic Writing is a great example of that. Featuring current Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Klinghoffer (on drums), John Frusciante on guitar and Fugazi’s Joe Lally on bass, Ataxia was mainly a studio band. They created about 80 minutes of music during their brief time together, half of which was released as the Automatic Writing EP in 2004 on the Record Collection label.

A mostly experimental rock album, it sounds like very few albums out there. Those knowing the band’s connection to the Red Hot Chili Peppers will be very surprised at the direction that this band takes. It shows the musical ability of Klinghoffer more than anything since he is a guitarist by trade yet on this album plays drums while contributing lead vocals on Another. Frusicante produced the record as well as the lead vocalist on the other tracks while playing guitar and Lally shows his proficiency on bass. Playing mostly post-punk/indie alternative rock with Fugazi, he plays in a style that brings to mind some of the Mars Volta bass work.

One of the best aspects of this album is the vocal job done by Frusicante and Klinghoffer. Hearing Klinghoffer on this record as a lead vocalist shows that the background vocals for the Chili Peppers is in good hands. He doesn’t hit the high notes at the same level as Frusicante, however he has good control over his voice. Speaking of Frusicante, his performance is typical of his albums from that era. A mixture of falsetto high notes mixed in with some unclear enunciation as he slurs words both sung and screamed.

Automatic Writing is not the kind of album you can appreciate song by song. Instead, it should be taken in as an experience. Hearing the album at 2 AM from beginning to end and letting the music take you into another dimension is highly recommended. I know it seems like this site is full of high grades, just know there are some low ones coming. Automatic Writing is a great auditory journey that everyone should take at least once.

Grade---A