[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/JohnFruscianteAugust2006.jpg[/img]
You probably know him as the lead guitarist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers on Mother's Milk, Blood Sugar Sex Magik, Californication, By The Way, and Stadium Arcadium, but he also has an extensive solo career spanning over 15 years.
[B]Discography[/B]
[B]Niandra Lades and Usually Just a T-Shirt (1994)[/B]
[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b5/Niandra_LaDes_and_Usually_Just_a_TShirt_album_cover.jpg[/img]
His first solo album, recorded before but released during his heroin addiction. It gets really trippy and experimental - his vocal style consists much of screaming and wailing, but it's still a good listen.
This is a picture of him around the time of the album's release:
[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c4/JohnNiandraLades1994.jpg[/img]
Take that face and put it on a cassette tape. Congratulations! You just heard [I]Niandra[/I].
[B]Smile From the Streets You Hold (1997)[/B]
[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f9/Smile_from_the_streets_you_hold_album_cover.jpg[/img]
Comprised of recordings dated from 1988-1996, this album is the second of those released during John's heroin addiction. He claims to have released it in order to get drug money and had it pulled in 1999. While not his best work, it's interesting to listen to in short bursts.
After 1997, John entered rehab and got off heroin, crack, and alcohol. He became very spiritual, started doing yoga, meditating, and living healthier in general. In 1998, Flea paid him a visit and convinced him to rejoin the Red Hot Chili Peppers. They went on to record [I]Californication[/I], which showed influences of John's solo work in being significantly more reflective than their previous works. It also featured a new style, moving away from the punk-inspired style that defined them earlier.
[B]To Record Only Water for Ten Days (2001)[/B]
[img]http://spf.fotolog.com/photo/15/22/52/en_el_desierto/1208491614_f.jpg[/img]
This album brings some significant electronica influences to the table, as well as bringing a more listenable side to John's music. One of my favorite albums of his, just because of the mood it conveys. Listen to "Murderers".
[B]From the Sounds Inside (2001)[/B]
[img]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__et5TFrXPEw/SgoSp3eGZLI/AAAAAAAAFq8/GG_3uFYqBdw/s400/john-frusciante---from-the-sounds-inside-front.jpg[/img]
Made up of material that didn't make the cut for [I]Water[/I], this was released on John's website in 2001. Similar style, but a little less synth-heavy. Check out "Innerstate Sex".
During this time, the Red Hot Chili Peppers were recording [i]By The Way[/i], which continued their departure from their old sound and incorporated much from John's recent solo work - especially visible in his guitar work on "Dosed", one of my personal favorite tracks from the album, incorporating four different guitar tracks.
In 2004, John had a bit of an ejaculation of solo work, releasing 6 albums in 6 months: 5 solo, and 1 with his side project, Ataxia. These albums marked his first collaboration with Josh Klinghoffer, who later became the Red Hot Chili Peppers' guitarist, replacing him.
[B]Shadows Collide with People (2004)[/B]
[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/03/ShadowsCollideWithPeople.jpg[/img]
Considered by many to be his most accessible album, [I]Shadows[/I] was released to mostly positive reviews. Unlike many of his earlier releases, this album was heavily produced, although alternate versions of many songs are available. "Song to Sing When I'm Lonely" is probably my favorite from the album, but all of it is pretty good.
[B]The Will to Death (2004)[/B]
[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/08/The_will_to_death_album_cover.jpg[/img]
The second of John's 5 solo releases of 2004, this album goes for a simpler sound and production aesthetic - it's almost the anti-[I]Shadows[/I]. According to John, none of the songs were recorded in more than 2 takes. The title track is one of my favorites from the album - give it a listen.
[B]DC EP (2004)[/B]
[img]http://risadelarocha.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/dc-ep-2004.jpg[/img]
True to its name, [I]DC EP[/I] is an EP recorded in (HOLY FUCKING SHIT WAIT FOR IT) Washington, DC. It continues the sound of [I]Will[/I], albeit with some mor production. Listen to "Dissolve".
[B]Inside of Emptiness (2004)[/B]
[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/41/InsideOfEmptiness.jpg[/img]
Carrying a more mainstream rock sound, this album features a significant amount of collaboration with Josh Klinghoffer. Heavier than his previous albums, [I]Emptiness[/I] is somewhat reminiscent of Ataxia's releases. Listen to "Look On".
[B]A Sphere in the Heart of Silence (2004)[/B]
[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/10/A_sphere_in_the_heart_of_silence_album_cover.jpg[/img]
A full-on collaboration between Frusciante and Klinghoffer, [I]Sphere[/I] adopts a significantly electronic-heavy sound. It's a significant departure from any of his other work, but it's a nice change of pace. "Surrogate People" is a standout in my opinion.
[B]Curtains (2005)[/B]
[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f7/CurtainsFrusciante.jpg[/img]
The last of John's 5-album explosion, [I]Curtains[/I] focuses on a more acoustic sound. It's also obvious that John's vocal abilities have significantly improved since his earlier works, making [I]Curtains[/I] quite listenable. "Ascension" is one of the best tracks on the album.
After these albums were released, John's solo career was placed on hold. [i]Stadium Arcadium[/i], the last RHCP album to feature John on lead guitar, was released in 2006, around the same time recording of his most recent solo album, [I]The Empyrean[/I], started. Shortly before the release of [I]The Empyrean[/I] in early 2009, John left the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
[B]The Empyrean (2009)[/B]
[img]http://recordreview.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/frusciante_the_empyrean_cover.jpg[/img]
John's first concept album, [I]The Empyrean[/I] is heavily produced, moving into a generally new direction from both his work with RHCP and his earlier solo material. "Unreachable" is one of the best tracks, and "Before the Beginning" is a great homage to Funkadelic's "Maggot Brain".
Expanded bio and YouTube links to songs coming soon.
He also does a shitload of stuff with Omar Rodriguez-Lopez of The Mars Volta. They're supposed to be pretty tight, actually.
Most of what I've downloaded from him (like 2 years ago) was really good. I'll relisten to some of it tonight
I enjoyed Curtains the most.
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