Sunday Times
from Sunday Times (UK, right…?)
While other guitarists practise by trying to learn Hendrix riffs or simply trying to play as fast as possible, Frusciante – the Red Hot Chili Peppers axeman – busies himself learining the synth lines played by Kraftwerk or Human League, trying to discover how a simple two or three note melody can hook the human heart. this he;ps to explain why the Chili peppers’ vast hits tend to emenate from the albums featuring Frusciante, and why those where frusciante is missing are largely forgotten. The reason for Frusciante’s long absense from the band, his heroin addiction, has been explored on the mans solo albums – one reason they can be hard work. There are two other reasons why you probably don’t own any of Frusciantes solo works: they’re full of experimental a;ectonic stuff and they have off-putting titles like To Record Only Water For Ten Days. That all changes right here. (exceot maybe the title thing). Shadows Collide With People marks the point at which Frusciante Brings his gift for melody adn proper songs to his own work. Yes, there are still experimental interludes. Yes. the lyrical themes are still deeply personal (“i was afraid to be me”). But the whole package comes with songs like Regret and Time Goes Back – songs that any Chili Peppers fan should own.
(3 out of 3 – outstanding)
