John Frusciante: Curtains Vinyl LP John Frusciante

Curtains is the seventh solo album by John Frusciante, better known as the lead guitarist for the Chili Peps on most of their most beloved albums. Curtains is a primarily acoustic affair, another star in the constellation of his wildly varied solo albums. The songs exhibit an intimate quality, with the basis of each song performed Frusciante explains: “It was just me sitting on a pillow on my living room floor with my back leaning against the couch.” The songwriting has a similar quality to Springsteen’s Nebraska, but benefits from overdubs from Frusciante himself in addition to Omar Rodríguez-López (At The Drive-In) and Carla Azar (Autolux). “Carla plays drums. I loved having a feminine energy. My friend Omar Rodriguez-Lopez of the Mars Volta played some guitar. He and I do these solos together where we’re using the same amp at the same time.” “The Past Recedes” begins with an unadorned verbal countdown and clean acoustic licks, livened up by heavenly overdubbed harmonies and rambling harmonica. “Anne” is nearly silent guitar tones and urgent vocals, “Leap Your Bar” ends the disc with all-encompassing piano chords. This LP was issued on LP for the first time in 2012, but sold out immediately and is quite costly on the secondary market. (Some copies sold for up to $350.) This reissue was remastered and recut by Frusciante with legendary engineer Bernie Grundman from the original analog tapes.

• black vinyl pressing
• remastered audio
• high resolution digital download included
• limited edition
• music label: Record Collection 2019

reviewed by GUERILLA TOSSER 06/2019