Genre: American pop/rock
Places I remember: This is Tom's current choice for MNAC
Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Song To Sing When I'm Lonely
Gear costume: Regret, This Cold, Time Goes Back, Omission
Active compensatory factors: Known principally as the guitarist in Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Frusciante has also had a prolific solo career (twelve albums since 1994, this one is the first of three in 2004 alone). I don't own any of them, nor have I heard any of them, so Tom's current Monday Night Album Club choice is a welcome one.
The spectre of RHCP looms large as Frusciante is obviously a key ingredient to their sound - there are echoes all through this (very very very) long record. Chad Smith and Flea also make appearances to good effect.
Those RHCP sounds are immediately apparent in opener Carvel with it's repetition motifs and there are Under The Bridge style sound shapes at times (Song To Sing..).
Along the way, the electronic treatments add some prog depth to the enterprise (although I could cheerfully live without 23 Go In To End, O O Ghost 27 and Failure 33 Object which feel like indulgences) and then, of course, there's the distinctive rock guitar by Frusciante (Second Walk being a fine example of his innovative style).
Something I wasn't expecting was how good the vocals would be - either by side kick Josh Klinghoffer or Frusciante.
Overall, this is an easy album to like. There is a warmth and comfort that permeates throughout (except for those pesky electronic experiments). So much so that Song To Sing When I'm Lonely actually works as a perk me up!
My only slight problem is with the length. Self-editing (less is more) is a concept that many musicians struggle with and Frusciante is no exception.
Those indulgences I spoke of also break up the flow of the album. I'd cut them (even though they're possibly Tom's favourite tracks) and a few others to make a killer single album.
Where do they all belong? If you're a RHCP fan but haven't listened to Frusciante generally, or this album specifically - you're in for a treat.
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