JOHN FRUSCIANTE ‘The Empyrean’ (Adrenaline) RATING: 7/10

By RYAN MAVITY

Pot smokers of the world unite and take over with Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante’s 11th solo album, The Empyrean.

Before I get into the album, allow me to make a politically correct disclosure. I am absolutely not a fan of the Chili’s. I mean at all. They seem like nice guys—hell, Flea once let me cut in front of him at a Los Feliz bookstore—but their music, eh, I can do without. After all, how many slow-paced ballads and songs with the word “California” in the title can one band release?

That being said, as a guitar aficionado, I can appreciate Frusciante’s playing. Unlike many an axeman, Frusciante’s skill comes not from how many notes he can play in 10 seconds, but the texture and dexterity with which he plays. It’s much harder to play that way than it sounds, but Frusciante can pull it off as good as anyone. Probably my favorite Frusciante solo is the outro from RHCP’s “Sir Psycho Sexy,” where he takes a repeating instrumental pattern and turns it into something mesmerizing. He pulls a similar trick on The Empyrean’s opener, “Before the Beginning,” an atmospheric instrumental that features a simple drum and rhythm guitar pattern with Frusciante soloing over top. It sounds like something that should be dreadfully boring, but Frusciante’s playing style gives it a tension and mood that would not have been possible in the hands of a lesser talent.

The Empyrean has a distinct psychedelic style, and as the man himself says, “It is suited to dark living rooms late at night.” In other words, smoke up, Johnny. Sometimes this approach works and sometimes it doesn’t. A cover of Tim Buckley’s “Song to the Siren” emphasizes Frusciante’s voice instead of his guitar, which is a mistake. He seems more comfortable on “Unreachable,” which has the psychedelic blues vibe Frusciante clearly excels at. “Unreachable” ends with a wah-wah guitar solo that shows off the guitarist’s considerable chops. 

“Dark/Light” ventures into progressive rock territory with almost gospel-sounding backing vocals by The New Dimension Singers. The album features frequent collaborator Josh Klinghoffer, as well as bandmate Flea on six tracks. One of these songs, “Heaven,” sounds most like something the Chili Peppers would do. Former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr shows up for a two-song guest spot on “Enough of Me” and “Central” with Marr’s trademark jangly guitar tones apparent on both.

All told, The Empyrean is a solid outing for one of the better rock guitar players of the last 20 years. Even if I don’t like his main meal ticket band, Frusciante has my respect.