The State News review of TROWFTD
21st February 2001, The State News (USA)
When an artist records a solo album, one has to wonder why.
Is he looking for a way out of his current band, or is he interested more in simply exploring the boundaries outside of his regular efforts?
In John Frusciante’s case, it’s definitely about creating something different than the norm on his third solo effort entitled “To Record Only Water For Ten Days.”
The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ guitarist does an incredible job with very little on the album, recording his vocals a bit distorted while showing his prowess as a complex and talented songwriter, especially on the epic ballad “The First Season.”
Compared to his first two solo albums, 1995’s “Niandra La’Des and Usually Just a T-Shirt” and 1997’s “Smile from the streets you hold,” this album shows a more positive and optimistic Frusciante, exploring more diverse subjects in his intimidating world of immense creativity.
“Away and Anywhere” is driven by a high E-string and some complimentary winding effects which match up with his voice to a tee. On more than one occasion, Frusciante uses a muffled drum machine to set an ice-cold beat.
“Remain” is held together by a cloudy keyboard shivering amongst the pouring rain of his insistent guitar strings, while “Murderers” starts out with a boomin’-bass beat and turns itself into a laid-back melody-based improvisation without lyrics – a great soundtrack for a thunderstorm.
“Moments Have You” finds him utilizing the higher notes of his voice all to the backdrop of a poppy summer tune.
It’s hard to guess what Frusciante will do next on most of these songs, especially when he gets melodically slap-happy with buttons on his effects machine.
The only mud puddle of the album is Frusciante’s voice at times. Sometimes he nails the right notes where it should be and at other times his voice just sounds irritating. Most of the time his strong musicianship pulls him out of drowning waters.
Fans of RHCP will be in for a surprise with this album, hearing more of a lo-fi and string-drenched experiment filled with a sense of optimism instead of the dynamic adrenaline pop of his daily band.
— Dan Julian More
