Review Summary: J Frusc rises from the dead
It would be safe to say that John Frusciante’s heroin addiction nearly destroyed his career. A great deal of his sophomore release, “Smile From the Streets You Hold” was mindless garbage; some of it being unbearable to get through. In just two short years however, Frusciante was able to get his *** together (rehab and all), and return to the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1999. In doing so, Frusciante contributed to one of the band’s greatest accomplishments, if not their greatest; “Californication.” John at this point was no longer a man that was meanderingly wailing on his guitar and muttering onto an 8-track. He no longer showed signs that his drug money was more important than the music, despite what was apparent during his downward spiral. Frusciante returned to form on “Californication,” providing his trademark bluesy and at times emotive leads, and in the meantime contributing his classic backing falsetto. Music was now his life, his love, and most importantly, his saving grace.
The 2001 release “To Record Only Water for Ten Days” is John Frusciante’s true solo debut. Not that “Niadra Lades and Usually Just a T-Shirt” was sub-par at all, but this 2001 record marked the beginning of a new age for Frusciante. Addressing the issues of his first two records would prove to be a difficult task, but most significantly John was able to deliver a cohesive effort. The poorly produced sound of his first two solo albums was long since replaced, as was the directionless mess. What “To Record Only Water for Ten Days,” proved to be was an exceptional and quite accessible album that ruled vastly superior over its predecessors. It was essentially this record that saved Frusciante’s solo career.
It is overbearingly apparent that the world has never seen the likes of albums “Niandra Lades and Usually Just a T-Shirt,” and “Smile from the Streets You Hold.” No matter how each of these records have been regarded by fans and critics, it would be far-fetched for them to believe they have had heard albums quite like those. “To Record Only Water for Ten Days,” is the same in this respect, for Frusciante delivered a great deal of innovation into the production of the record. Just reading the title provides almost sufficient evidence to reveal the sound of the album. The ambience given off is almost as though the tracks were recorded under water, while utilizing both hip-hop beats and voice synthesizers. Some listeners may be shied away from the record with this last statement however, these factors present a much more intriguing and original effort than your conventional alternative rock release.
“To Record Only Water for Ten Days,” is proof that Frusciante has a versatile, and actually a pretty damn good voice. While lacking the pure singing capability of many lead singers and songwriters, Frusciante finds his effectiveness in how well he utilizes it. Not only is John one of the most emotive vocalists in the business in the current day, but is able to go up and down the latter with ease; soothing and even prevailing when the time is right. With the freshman and sophomore releases we saw John unfocused and screaming to a point that it was unnecessary, but just like the rest of the album’s factors, his vocals are more than satisfactory and consistent. Complementing these vocals, is the tremendous guitar work that is expected from John, instrumental
Ramparts just being further evidence of this.
What is uncovered under all of this, is that Frusciante is actually a very sound songwriter. This isn’t your conventional “I’m depressed” music that so many bands and artists seem to pull. Frusciante’s lyrics are believable, poetic, and inspired. One would be wise to suggest that John has a tremendous amount of material due to the addiction portion of his life, and this has been apparent ever since. In the album’s closer
Moments Have You, John alludes to a series of thoughts back to that dark and harrowing time. “All again and you're always free now, I didn't fake this so you could fade away.”
John Frusciante’s third full-length record is not only a statement, but rather the spark that propelled the solo career that has been so widely praised in the present day. This was fundamentally the album that Frusciante had to make in order for people to take this career of his seriously. Although not the greatest album in his repertoire, “To Record Only Water for Ten Days,” is the cohesive and creative effort that John had in him all along, and is only a precursor to much bigger and better things. Most significantly however, this 2001 release is an indication that John’s contributions in “Californication” were not a fluke, and he was here to stay. And what a beautiful thing this was.
Recommended Tracks:
Invisible Movement
Going Inside
Away & Anywhere
Ramparts
The First Season
Moments Have You
