Review Summary: Looking past the sprawling mess, the record is actually enjoyable.
Anyone who knows a thing about John Frusciante should be able to recognize that the man has been to hell and back. Among his Chili Pepper counterparts, John was the withdrawn one, unwilling to face the fortune that is associated with being a part of a smash hit. Following the release of “BloodSugarSexMagik,” the Red Hot Chili Peppers did the very thing that John feared; they blew up. While lead singer Anthony Kiedis thrived under the attention and prominence, John shied away from the spotlight, and became increasingly isolated. In order deal with all that was happening, John found his cure in heroin, and left the band soon after. And thus began John Frusciante’s solo career.
Frusciante’s debut, “Niadra Lades and Usually Just a T-Shirt” is an erm… interesting album. In fact, it is quite difficult to believe that the man who played guitar for one of the biggest rock bands of the 1990’s, had recorded this album. The production is raw, the guitar is stripped down, and the ambience is ridiculously bizarre. The song structuring is unusual and merely chaotic, and John’s phrasing is awkward and cluttered. His vocals, in which are associated with a tremendous amount of passion and versatility in the present day, range from a coarse growl to an uncontrolled falsetto. His utilization of the latter is what makes the album difficult to take seriously at times, as if the entire record is a joke. Amidst the mindless screaming and the barely legible vocals though, is a harrowing and disturbing feeling that is a direct parallel to Frusciante’s life at the time.
“Niadra Lades and Usually Just a T-Shirt” is Frusciante in the thick of his horrific addiction. As muddled and ridiculous as the record appears to be, John’s outstanding guitar work is what makes the album a very enjoyable listening experience overall. The sequence of the thirteen consecutive untitled tracks is evident of this, for John is wailing both melodically and technically throughout. His guitar playing is actually quite reminiscent of his work with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, without the complements of Flea and Chad Smith.
Untitled #6 could very well be the strongest of the instrumentals, although it tragically only clocks in at ninety seconds. “Niadra Lades and Usually Just a T-Shirt” however, just seems to be lacking that cohesiveness that is necessary for it to be anything better than a fairly solid record.
Untitled #8 is wildly inconsistent in itself, and quite frankly is in shambles. Although experimentation is the nature of the album,
Untitled #8 is way too obscure for its own good and is virtually just a collection of senseless noises.
“Niadra Lades and Usually Just a T-Shirt” is not a perfect piece of work to say the least, nor is it a consistent and coherent effort on the whole. The record however, does appear to have a haunting fervor about it; with John’s ability to disturb, sadden, and even initiate laughter. Some have considered Frusicante’s debut to be a powerful emotional journey, while others have labeled it as drug-fueled garbage that should never be considered music. “Niadra Lades and Usually Just a T-Shirt” is neither of those things, and barring the incoherence and befuddled mess that many tracks present, is actually a damn solid record.
Recommended Tracks:
As Can Be
Curtains
Your Pussy's Glued To A Building On Fire
Untitled #6
Untitled #7
Untitled #9
