Review Summary: The greatest acoustic album you haven't heard.
I'm going to be honest here. I've put off reviewing this album time and time again simply because I feel this album would have to lose its charm and appeal eventually. The reason I'm finally writing this is because after a year or so spent with this record, I still love every single detail about it and feel the need to express this. All I ask is if you are unfamiliar with this album, check it out now.
John Frusciante is of course, best known for his work with the 'Red Hot Chili Peppers', personal opinion of this band however means nothing when listening to John's solo work because to be honest, the music is just far to different and experimental. The same can be said with his actual records. John's records jump from genre to genre with ease and it's quite possible one could love his previous album and then adore the next. 'Curtains' however is probably his most accessible album (with the possible exception of 'The Empyrean') and contains relatively short acoustic tunes. Don't let this fool you however because the song writing and performance found on this album is light-years ahead of anyone else in the genre.
The album begins with 'The Past Recedes' and it is the perfect song to introduce the album and indeed it's overall style. Simple guitar chords accompany John's spectacular voice throughout the duration of the song to create a laid back pop song. Don't let this song throw you off though because whilst it sets the tone of the album the next few songs and indeed the entire middle of the album toys with experimentation. Whilst this is indeed a simple acoustic and vocal album, we are treated to some tasteful studio trickery such as a nod to the Beatles with backwards guitar (Time Tonight), stop start rhythms (Control), and seemingly nonsense guitar lines and lyrics slowly building into a climactic electric guitar solo (Anne).
The album's final batch of songs could perhaps be the finest moments to be found on the record such as the pure catchiness and emotion of 'Ascension' and the pure lyrical poetry of 'Time Tonight', the album's highlight and emotional peak. When John sings you can really tell you feels every word and whilst some lyrics may indeed be nonsensical it's impossible not to conjure up thoughts and feelings whilst listening to these tracks which may lead to the reason this album never loses its appeal, it can be a soundtrack to your reflections if you so wish it to be.
'Curtains' concludes with the tune 'Leap your Bar' which perfectly sums up the albums tone and feeling even if it is one of the more different sounding songs in the collection. There are no guitars heard on the track, we simply get a basic and effective piano line whilst John concludes with some of his most powerful and stripped back vocals and lyrics.
Is this the greatest album ever made? No, of course not! At only 33 minutes running time the album is definitely rather short and the simple fact is that this record won't be for everyone. If however you're looking for a singer/songwriter at the top of his game and an album that you can listen and enjoy for an incredibly long time, then definitely give it a try. It's a cliché' but it's true, the more you listen to this the more you will discover and the experience will ultimately be a better one.
Recommended Tracks
- The Past Recedes
- Anne
- Time Tonight
- Ascension
