John Frusciante
Curtains

THE REVIEW

John Frusciante was a strange artist... Both in his mannerisms and musically. In the Red Hot Chili Peppers, our John was the offspring of the union between Hendrix and Slovak (the band's former guitarist, who died after the release of the third album), funk and classic rock united together, unleashing a unique energy. But if you look at his solo work, Frusciante reaches totally different musical levels, moving from Avant-Garde, electronic, Art Rock, psychedelia, and other genres, while always maintaining his "signature."

And it is precisely in "Curtains" that you find the simplest yet strangely one of the most complete works of the guitarist. Released in 2005, it is mainly an album of voice and acoustic guitar, with the addition of wind instruments and electric instruments at some points. After the simple "The Past Recedes" as the first track of the album, there is a song that really struck me: "Lever Pulled". This song boasts the collaboration of singer/guitarist of the Mars Volta Omar Rodríguez-López, a prog genius, in my opinion. (Go listen to the Mars Volta! I didn't tell you anything). After the magnificent "Lever Pulled", "Anne" starts immediately, which I consider one of Frusci's best songs, due to the really absurd lyrics and the variety of the guitar; not to mention the final solo (López + Frusci) that exudes Hendrix from every pore, and I'm not speaking negatively. "The Real" and "A Name" I perceive very much as two connected songs, almost part one and part two of a really sad pairing; Frusciante's lyrics are something tremendously heartrending.

"Control", even as the title suggests, is a song full of dynamics, with a guitar that "plays" only when John sings, quite unique, but at times it seems almost too long; one of my least favorite songs on the album. "Your Warning", the piano at the end. I won't tell you anything else. "Hope" is a track that sends me over the moon, truly... There's no more correct expression for the sensation the riff at 0:45 gives you, try it to believe it. After "Ascension", which I think is the worst track on the album, there is the best track on the album. "Time Tonight". The arpeggio, the vocal melody, the lyrics, and finally the reverse solo in "Give it Away" style... Hear it, hear it. The album closes with the excellent "Leap Your Bar," played entirely on a piano, a very, very sad and evocative song.

In closing, I think that with "Curtains" John Frusciante has reached one of the highest musical points of his career, with a simple album; but full, brimming, overflowing with emotions, just as his solos accustomed us to.