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Rating: I had no expectations when I stole this album from the HMV in Edinburgh, in fact, it was a fallback choice compared to the latest from Morrissey since it was in digipak and easier to swipe. Never have I been happier to choose differently from my intentions because "The Will To Death" was my autumn soundtrack, as melancholic and sad as the CD in question.
It penetrated my heart and under my skin like when you fall in love with someone and every time you see them, you start feeling that discomfort in your stomach, that stupid stomachache that accompanies you to your first school exams, that’s the feeling I get when I listen to it.
It’s his first release of a music project that foresees five more in the next five months, defying market laws; obviously, self-produced in the classic lo-fi style, raw and very independent.
The songs are characterized by powerful riffs that harmonize perfectly with his melancholic and cracked voice, giving each one a different nuance thanks also to the support of always different instruments like the piano or synthesizer.
There is a clear dualism between light and dark often exemplified with references to life and death, also represented on the cover with the singer between two statues, one pristine white and one dark resting at his feet.
The lyrics evoke sincere experiences that we all have been through, like the doubt about who or what we are, or about loss as in Loss where I quote verbatim "I never said to do anything but forgive me / I can't be lost / I've learning everything from loss / for what's gained there's an inner cost / I won't pay it I never would", beautiful beautiful beautiful.
These wonderful lyrics, the dirty and irregular guitar sound, his sad voice, and nods to Nick Drake made me love this underrated singer-songwriter known previously only for his membership in the RHCP.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
04 Loss (05:20)
We make the music that divides you
It's handed down as a thing to cry to
And all my wars they treat you kindly
There's nothing more important that I see
There was a time when all was empty
Unorganized a clog a death scene
Things opened up and there's so many
Paths to walk ports of entry
Now that I'm gone
Now that I'm long gone
This minute has come and gone
I never said to do anything but forget me
I can't be lost
I've learned everything from loss
For what's gained there's an inner cost
I won't pay it I never would
We met the seasons back in Long Town
There was a hint of sadness going round
We met the brothers who drove arrows
And shot assumptions wide and narrow
I know I mean what I'm forgetting
We give for everything we're getting
A lot that hasn't been put away
It's building up for that fateful someday
Now that I'm gone
Now that I'm long gone
This minute has come and gone
I never said anything to do but forget me
When it seems I'm around
Check again what's up and what's down
Many silences make a sound
I'm before the equation and I'm the answer
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Other reviews
By joe strummer
Frusciante always knows how to find the notes that touch the soul, the most captivating melodies.
The finale, entrusted to the title track, is the zenith...a great show of personality.
By gioju87
"The Will To Death is not one of Frusciante’s best works: a few excellent songs accompanied by others just above average."
"The final feeling is that of facing a beautiful album. And that’s it."
