John Frusciante - The Will to Death

In 2004, fans of John Frusciante were spoilt with six albums in six months. For those who had preconceptions that they would all be the same, they could not be more wrong. The ball started rolling in June 2004, with `The Will to Death'. When I first found out the title for this album, like any other, I began to think of what this album would sound like. Due to the word `Death' I thought it would be metal/rock or at least on the heavy side. I could not have been more wrong...

`The Will to Death' is a very warm, laid back album. It's almost as if Frusciante has accepted he is going die and is happy to talk about the subject which is really the concept of the album. However, until the time comes he wants to live life to the full and not worry about what eventually will happen. For those expecting an album similar to `Shadows collide with People' I think will be disappointed. Although equally as accessible to the listener; the tracks are more designed as album tracks. As oppose to `Shadows' where the tracks are more like a collection of singles with a few instrumentals.

My favourite song on the album is the last, entitled `The Will to Death'. As an album closer I feel it delivers in summing up the concept behind the album nicely. The gentle plucks of his acoustic guitar, mixed with a fine electric guitar, creating a warm, majestic melody. The lyrics are ones spoken straight from the heart; oozing sincerity and honesty. Such as `The Will To Death is what keeps me alive, It's one step away'. I think this lyric sums up best what the album is about and the way it's delivered with such delicacy and at a pitch only few can pull off.

One of the things which stands out about Frusciante's song writing on the album and across all his albums, in his post druggie era; is the intros to each song. Each song has its own unique style of entry which, in my opinion, can be distinguished from any other song by anyone. I often hear songs on the radio and think they are one song, but they are actually another. I really do feel John pays particular attention to this to make his songs unique and instantly recognisable. I think the main reason for this is because of his superior knowledge of the guitar and his endless imagination to go with it. The stand out intros on this album are from `An Exercise', `Helical' and `Far Away'.

The structure and delivery of all the songs on `TWTD' have a simple, logical feel to them. Almost as if they were so obvious, my mind ponders as to why they were not thought of before. Personally I think it's because simplicity is difficult to achieve. I am not a guitarist but when I try and play the guitar randomly, it's easy to make stuff complex because that's what playing randomly is to me. But to actually make things sound simple requires a certain level of skill because what sounds simple is often harder to construct than it seems.

Although not his best, this is still definitely up there and worth a listen as Frusciante takes another turn in his never ending musical journey. This is undeniably an album full of album tracks rather than `Shadows Collide with People' which was more of an album full of singles with a few instrumentals. At the time of purchase it was the first of six to be released in a period of six months and he certainly left this fan eager for the imminent releases with this warm, laid back record.