After quite some dely in reciveing my copy through the post, I was eager to stick it in my CD Player. Predictibly, as with most John Frusciante records, it took me a while to get into the swing of it, and I found myself listening to just two tracks over and over for the first couple of days; 'Unchanging' and 'The Days Have Turned'. These two stuck out of the rest straight away for me, both being those rare types of songs which have you listening with both ears in awe the very first time you play it.
It wasn't untill 3 or 4 days later that I decided to give all the other songs another try, and again, just like most other Frusciante records, as the days go by you discover another gem, and then another, and then another.....
'A Doubt' surely an incredible start to the album. The song has a strange way of making you feel rather uplifted, and placed in front of a collections of somewhat sadder songs, thats just what you need. Intence guitars, and a chorus which makes you want to smile when no ones watching.
The next track, 'An Exercise', perhaps not my most favourite track, but certainly not 'skip-worthy' like wise the next track 'Time Runs Out' which sports a funky beat and a very promising intro. The very end of this songs gets a little too intense for me, and I usually skip. *Blush*
'Loss' Probably my least favourite song, and usually one I reach for the 'skip' button. Although the intro sounds very promising, the song soon becomes quite monotone, and, although some may disagree, a little 'un-textured', in my oppinion.
The next track (5) however makes up for the previous 10 fold. 'Unchanging'. Lyrically its one of my favourites; "I've never been up where I see the others climb, seems like it must be nice" Makes me smile, but not because im happy. A very pleasing 'feel-ggod' riff accompaines, with a sweet little solo at the end.
'The Mirror', I must admit, took me very long to get into. The droned intro makes you expect very little from the song, but continued listening leads you to something a little more special, and the song does eventually surface. I have been known to skip this song, as sometimes the electric chorus doesn't compensate for the boring verses. Lyrically outstanding none-the-less.
'The Loop' starts off sounding like a song you wrote when you were in Year 8 music class. But after the first verse you slip into a delicate solo of 'twinkly' guitars which makes the song its own. Suddenly this song becomes the one you wait for, just for that solo, and the very ending..."I cant wait for life" repeated over and over in that soulfull deep and textured tone. Certainly has become one of my favourites just because of this. I feel the same way about track 8, 'Wishing'. More 'twinkly guitar masterfully timed and positioned, he almost makes us slip in and out of the song.
'Far Away' is the most textured song, with respect to his vocals. This song could easily have joined those on Shadows Collide With People. I particually like the very ending; "Theres only one way for things to be between you and me". The bit when you stop whatever you're doing just to give that line your undivided attention.
I absoulutley love track 10, 'The Days Have Turned' Although it has an incredibly sad tone, it has an intence way of making you feel just fine. His voice is low and a little scratchy, with highs and lows in just the right places. A very satisfying chorus and a very sweet ending, which makes you want to play the song again straight away.
When I first heard Helical, I thought it was just a rather long intro for the next track, 'The Will to Death'. I soon discovered otherwise, but would rather keep thinking of it as an instrumental intro, as I dont really feel that it stands alone, and the progression into the next tack just seems so right. In my oppinion, Helical transforms subtely into 'The Will To Death' which is certainly a song fit enough to recieve the title tack privelige. A very soft calming song where Frusciante demonstrates his beautiful voice, and if that were not enough he leaves you with more delicate, sweet guitar. The perfect ending.
Saleema x
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