Visions review of TROWFTD
March 2001, Visions (Germany)
Thanks to Sabrina Samwald/”Amara” for translation.
A solo record with real song structures and arrangements – The guitarist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers is on his way to getting better.
Anyone who wants to make themselves an idea of how miserable things for John Frusciante were going after he has left the Peppers, only has to listen to one of the songs of one of the two solo records of this period. Meanwhile his reunion has succeeded, a bestseller was created and the 31-year-old is apparently in a better condition again. His up-the-pole-titled third album is luckily far away from these destructed sound monsters, but nevertheless it isn’t slight fare. There are again only beats out of the can and many thin and creaking guitar sounds, but a subtle production with sometimes heavy use of the keyboard and effects. In addition Frusciante sings sometimes with a drunken whiskey-voice, that lets Mark Lanegan look like a convinced straight edger, and sometimes with a swift and high falsetto. Even though the strange digital-sterile atmosphere of this album is something that needs getting used to und some things remain only hard to understand, you’ll remember with every listening a bit more what an inspired musician Frusciante actually is.
— Maik Koltermann
