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.

well if you have an open mind you can really see the beauty this album has in it John is a genuis thanks to him the peppers are still around and rockin and is too me the Best guitarist going right now!

First things first. John Frusciante is of course the guitarist for the RHCP, and if you're just getting into him you'll be surprised by this. It sounds nothing like latter day RHCP. Yes, its good. While RHCP reconvene to make a new album that hopefully is good, John Frusciante makes this, a superb album full of great songs. It sounds great, its raw and unproduced but this only adds to the music. 'A Doubt' is one of the finest songs Frusciante has ever written, with its unconventional style and brilliant vocal performance. John has really improved as a singer, and well, go on, just buy this album. It ain't By the Way, thats for sure.

Nick, I was imediately compelled to respond to your review of this album and thoughts on John Frusciante and the impact he has had on your fresh mind of 15 years. "At least once or twice during your adolescent years, you seem to lose hope. I know because I have". I am 24 years old and think I have past those "adolescent years" you speak of, and I still sometimes feel hopeless. But I always have music and other forms of art to fall back on to reinforce that hope; it will always be there for us. Like you, "To Record Only Water...." was the Frusciante album that I was first exposed to, through a close friend, and I haven't turned back since. Unlike you, I became a RHCP fan after I discovered John's solo efforts. I am responding to your post because of your age and location. It gives me even more hope that there are not only other JF fans out there who I consider peers, but one's of a different generation and country! Thank you Nick! And remember, "The sweet, isn't as sweet, without the sour"

I am shocked and appalled by all the 5-star reviews this album got. I listened to this album expecting something new and fresh, but still of the same quality and creativity as John's work with the Chili Peppers. What I ended up hearing was 12 tracks of poetry. That's all you get with this album. You hear no worthwhile guitar work (which he is more than capable of). There is not a single song on this album that really gets the blood flowing. If you want to hear John sing you some painfully slow songs and strum a chord every now and then, get this album. But if you want to hear something that has actual musicial talent, go elsewhere. I know this guy can rock, why doesn't he?

Oh, by the way: The rest of his albums in this current batch of material are pretty much the same as I mentioned above, with the possible exception of "Ataxia - Automatic Writing". If you want to hear something a LITTLE BIT better, get that instead.