Daily Bruin review of TROWFTD
16th March 2001, Daily Bruin (USA)
The beautiful ramblings of a mad man. The pop melodies of a musical genius. John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers has prepared a quick glimpse into his bizarre mind with his solo album, “To Record Only Water for Ten Days.”
The music may be for an acquired taste, but the rewards that come are well worth the effort. A master at creating strange melodies and moods, Frusciante has put together an intimate, passionate gem.
The 15 songs of the album lead listeners through a journey into the depths of the emotions of a cleaned-up drug addict. Frusciante might as well have been considered dead just a few short years ago when he found himself rock-bottom and addicted to heroin, but he has since sobered up and is creating the best music of his career.
The stretching, high-pitched vocals of “Wind Up Space” and the squealing emotion in Frusciante’s guitar work offer an almost embarrassingly personal feel to the music. Frusciante’s voice is not very sweet and smooth sounding, but that is part of the impact.
Although it can be considered as the guitar virtuoso’s weak point, Frusciante’s voice brings brutal honesty and reality to the mix. After all, this record was recorded with a guitar, drum machines, a few microphones and an 8-track; Frusciante was not after a polished sound.
“To Record Only Water for Ten Days” is a powerful escape from the glossy recording style of current music and a retreat back to honesty. The mind-blowing complexity of the instrumental tunes “Ramparts” and “Murderers” display Frusciante’s skill and powerful understanding of his instrument.
The lyrics are that of a man who walks the thin line between insanity and genius, with imagery that draws parallels to the acid-induced writings of Kesey or Wolfe. The first track, “Going Inside,” is especially potent with brilliant guitar work and sharp poetry.
The eerie vibe of the closing track, “Moments Have You,” brings an end to the emotional journey with rambled lyrics and a gentle acoustic guitar. Arising from the depths of drug addiction, Frusciante has finally found himself and he is sharing it with listeners through his music.
— Chris Moriates
