Customer Reviews

ATAXIA II [Vinyl]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I became something of a John Frusciante completist over 2004, so needless to say I had a great year collecting his numerous releases and realising that all of them were brilliant to a certain extent. The 'Automatic Writing' CD became a particular favourite of mine, complementing my prog/space/Krautrock collection very nicely. And so, after more than two years of anticipation, the second half of the Ataxia sessions finally sees the light of day. So, was it worth the wait?

Yes, just about. It's easy to see why any of these tracks weren't included on the first disc, because they have less of a stylistic connection to each other than the five cuts released back in 2004. The similarities pretty much stop after Joe's relentless basslines and John's choppy, squealing and soaring guitar work. The band aren't afraid to throw themselves at different types of rhythm and see what happens, and at least two tracks on 'AWII' sound distinctly post-punk, even a bit new wave pop, compared with the slow-release, grinding tempos on 'old' songs like 'Addition' or 'Montreal'. 'The Soldier' is a highlight - it pounds along at a fair pace for ten minutes, gradually ascending through careful variations along with John's vocals, which start clean and eventually become screamed and manipulated by the trio's remarkable collection of analogue sound effects.

Elsewhere, 'Attention' is the closest to the first album in terms of tempo, and the closing track 'The Empty's Response' is a beautiful chord progression, loosely arranged and with Josh's unique voice floating along with it. It's a little undercooked, but the nature of the Ataxia project explains that. Still though, an extra day or two on that one could have made it an absolute gem.

But such qualms don't detract much. 'AWII' is short, but it's a more varied collection than its predecessor and is certainly worthy of many listens. Its grooves are as good as before, and its (perhaps superimposed) arrangements keep the listener guessing. I suppose it's SHARPER than the spaced-out, loose, wailing jams of its predecessor. If I didn't know that all ten songs had been recorded in the same week, I would have been saying 'AWII' is a "pleasing development of the ideas on their debut".

Well, here's hoping that John, Josh and Joe happen to find another spare week in their busy schedules...

Call it an experiment, or a side project, but thing is for certain: John Frusciante is one of the most talented musicians on the planet. This follow-up to 2004's Automatic Writing, AWII feels like it picks up where it the group left off. The EP ends with, in my opinion, the best song Ataxia has released in The Empty's Response, showcasing John's guitar playing and Josh Klinghoffer's ethereal vocals.

A must-have for any fan of Frusciante.

Pretty much anything John Frusciante does is transcending and amazing. he is a beautiful genius. Joe Lally and Josh klinghoffer are great as well. The three of them together are something from a different realm.

"Ataxia" is the band of the ex-guitar player from the Red Hot Chili Peppers John Frusciante, featuring the new member of the band Josh Klinghoffer (who helped JF in many albums) and Joe Lally, the bass player of the under-punk band Fugazi.
I must say this is one of the greatest albums i`ve. The chemistry of the instruments, the lyrics and the bass lines are just amazing.
AW II is the second part of "Automatic Writing" sessions, recordered in 2004 and realesed in 2007.
The album features only five songs. But those five songs are from another world.
I have to say, that i`m a RHCP fan, but this type of music is tottaly different. No pop songs, no bridges, no nothing. The guitar solos are over and over, vocals are amazing, and the basslines are strong walls, sometimes from 8 to 11 minutes.
It has an obscure ambientation, so it`s perfect to hear in a dark room.
Unfortunately, in my country (Argentina) not all Cds are made, so Frusciante`s Cds and relatives, who are realesed by strange labels are impossible to buy them here. So Amazon is a great choice.
I`ve bought this to OxforShireEngland and the prodcuct came in PERFECT conditions! The cover, wich was a cardboard digipack, came amazing, and the cd in perfect conditions. 100% confiable!
Scuse my english, it`s not my native language.

My friend managed to get ahold of this album and wow. This album is amazing. It's just great, because it's just three friends sitting down and having a jam session. Overall a great album nonetheless.