Daily Illini review of TROWFTD
22nd February 2001, Daily Illini (USA)
John Frusciante’s To Record Only Water For Ten Days works not because it’s necessarily great, but instead because it’s incredibly refreshing.
Frusciante, the sometimes guitarist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, easily could have cashed in on his band’s fame with a poppy funk-rock album. Instead, he takes chances with a rough-around-the-edges, risk-taking record that should secure his future as a solo star long after the Chili Peppers find their tombstone in the early ’90s rock ‘n’ roll graveyard.
It must be emphasized that those looking for the new RHCP record should look elsewhere. Frusciante has created an identity all his own not only in reference to his band, but also to the rest of rock ‘n’ roll.
Water, Frusciante’s first solo record since returning to the Peppers in one of rock’s few success stories in recent years, is unbelievably mature and introspective-a surprise considering his earlier solo efforts and status as an energetic goofball who wore strategically placed socks. Frusciante, who kicked a life-threatening heroin addiction before rejoining the Chili Peppers, has grown and Water is somewhat of a coming-of-age record. The lyric book-reminiscent in layout of J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye-is only the beginning.
Lyrics like “Extra time when you think it’s all over / Live a life when you’ve rolled over and died” from “Invisible Movement” and “Carried thru the road so far alone / Days glue themselves to what is wrong” from “Fallout” are a far cry from “Give to me sweet sacred bliss / Your mouth was made to suck my kiss.”
Listening to Frusciante’s poetry on Water is like being allowed to glimpse into his long bout with heroin-through the addiction, the pain of going cold turkey and the final redemption associated with kicking the habit once and for all.
Many will dismiss Frusciante’s vocals as out-of-tune or even painful … and they’re right. But what those people are failing to recognize is the element of soul in his voice. When Frusciante sings, he means every word of it and it keeps the album from failing. There is a great deal of honesty in his voice and while it might not be technically beautiful, it only strengthens everything else.
Of course, there is the excellent guitar work on songs like the instrumental “Murderers,” where Frusciante takes one lick and builds a song around it. Without a doubt, it is the musical high point of the album and carries a theme that seems to run throughout the remainder of it as well-the sample.
To Record Only Water For Ten Days sounds like a demo tape and maybe that’s what makes it so likable-it succeeds on its simplicity. With every element (aside from guitar and vocals) being electronically and atmospherically produced, Frusciante gives inspiration to musicians all over that they too can produce something simple, yet beautiful, even from the comfort of their PC.
It’s unfettered, underproduced and something very special.
—Frank Andrejasich
