John Frusciante - Shadows Collide With People (2004)

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The fourth solo outing from Red Hot Chili Pepper guitarist John Frusciante -- OK, fifth for those counting his free 21-track downloadable-only From the Sounds Inside released in 2001 -- is his most accessible effort to date in terms of mainstream appeal. 

It is likewise worth mentioning that he has made available demos of a majority of these sides on his website for a limited time. 

Frusciante also maintains intermittent contact with the avant-garde forces that drove the Niandra LaDes and Usually Just a T-Shirt coupling in 1995. Admittedly, enthusiasts of his edgier lo-fi recordings may find 2004's Shadows Collide With People too polished and produced. 

However, the sonic spit-shine rarely detracts from the very palpable emotive presence within each of the selections. 

Although Frusciante and Josh Klinghoffer (guitar/vocals/bass/keyboards/percussion) divvy up the lion's share of the instrumentation, the two are joined by fellow Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and bassist Flea -- the latter contributing an upright bassline to "The Slaughter" -- as well as Omar Rodriguez on slide guitar and Charlie Clouser's orchestral programming. 

While "Omission" is signified by Klinghoffer's co-lead vocal, at the center remains Frusciante's probing melodic sense. 

He vacillates between the power-chord rockers "Carvel," "Second Walk," and "This Song" and the haunting beauty of "Regret," which is set against the decidedly more experimental and bold "-00Ghost27," "23 Go In to End," and "Failure33 Object." 

These wordless excursions lacerate a discernible swath across Frusciante's otherwise introspective songwriting. Examples include the introduction to "In Relief," "Water," and the Byrds-ish feel incorporated into "Cut-Out." 

Even though it might not be the artist's intended goal, with such strong -- if not arguably disparate -- material exemplifying the best of what Frusciante has to offer, Shadows Collide With People has something for his listeners past, present, and future.

Track listing

1.  "Carvel"  - 6:15
2.  "Omission"  (Frusciante, Josh Klinghoffer)  - 4:33
3.  "Regret"  - 2:58
4.  "Ricky"  - 3:59
5.  "Second Walk"  - 1:42
6.  "Every Person"  - 2:38
7.  "-00Ghost27"  (Frusciante, Klinghoffer)  - 3:50
8.  "Wednesday's Song"  - 3:31
9.  "This Cold"  - 2:00
10.  "Failure33 Object"  - 2:56
11.  "Song to Sing When I'm Lonely"  - 3:16
12.  "Time Goes Back"  - 3:23
13.  "In Relief"  - 3:36
14.  "Water"  - 4:06
15.  "Of Before" (Japanese release only bonus track)  - 3:17
16.  "Cut-Out"  - 3:34
17.  "Chances"  - 1:49
18.  "23 Go in to End"  - 6:42
19.  "The Slaughter"  - 3:53

All songs written and composed by John Frusciante, unless otherwise noted. 

Credits
John Frusciante – lead and backing vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, synthesizers, bass, piano, Mellotron, producer, art direction
Josh Klinghoffer – lead vocals (on "Omission"), backing vocals, bass, electric guitar, synthesizers, keyboards, piano, Mellotron, Synare, vocoder, percussion, timpani
Chad Smith – drums, percussion
Flea – upright bass (on "The Slaughter")
Omar Rodríguez-López – slide guitar (on "Chances", "23 Go in to end")
Greg Kurstin – Wurlitzer piano (on "Of Before")
Charlie Clouser – orchestral programming (on "Regret" and "Chances")

Production
Jim Scott – engineer, mixing
Ryan Hewitt – engineer
Dave Lee – equipment technician
Ethan Mates – engineer
Chris Holmes – assistant
Chris Ohno – assistant
Alex Marshall – assistant
Daniel Carlotta Jones – assistant
Serena Deakin – assistant
Bernie Grundman – mastering
Rene Ricard – cover painting
Vincent Gallo – photography
Richard Scane Goodheart – design
John Frusciante - producer

Notes
Released:  February 24, 2004
Recorded 2003 at:  Cello Studios in Hollywood, California
Genre:  Experimental Rock

Styles:  Art Rock, Alternative Rock
Length:  62:23

Label - Warner Bros. Records