Customer Reviews

Curtains

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I got this album about a month or two ago, and I cannot get it out of my head, much less my CD player. A few things that make me fall out of my chair every time:
1. the guitar solo on "anne"
2. the climax of "hope"
3. the fact that there are people on here saying things about frusciante like "he has no talent as a songwriter"

Listen- if could make music this good my life would be fulfilled.

but everyone who does understand, will see beauty at its finest. It honestly sounds like John is singing next to you physically, while your lying on your bed staring at the roof. In a digital age, its hard to find something so pure sounding, not that every non digital albums are good (white stripes etc.), but it accompanies johns warmth feeling to curtains and compliments his acoustic style alot more.

Lots of people dont understand, and really its their loss(and a big one might i add), although no one should force themselves to love it, as it was an album i have been waiting for along time personally. Im not sure what people were expecting, but really no modern pop artists portrays ideas and ambitions like John.

Personal highlights are the first 4 songs. Johns voice serenates raw loose melodies and think harmonies over 70's esque acoustic chords. Personally i reckon the album would of been better if it were no synths and drums, but it doesnt do much harm to have them there.

The only slight problem, which bothers me is that the album clocks just over half an hour. Which isnt really a problem, but im just greedy and want more! Although my favourite beach boys clock in around that time(friends,20/20, wild honey, sunflower) and its nice to drive to the city and hear the whole album through on the way.


One of my favourite records that ive ever heard, and i recomend the vynal copy, as it adds to the warmth which curtains demonstrates so well. John makes his albums prely for his fans, and really as my other artist David Bowie states, "its the artists who dictate the future, not the critics", in other words, who cares if John isnt intouch with current fashions and fads in the music industry, hes still putting out better albums and purer music than most hyped bands. Im not really promoting bying the album, although i recomend a listen(download?), this is a mere tribute.

As you already know this is the final release out of 6 albums for John Frusciante, pulling the curtains down on a busy and very productive period before its back to work with the Red Hot Chili Peppers. While this may not appeal to everyone, any fan of acoustic music should appreciate this. The album is soft, mellow and reserved, and it is clear John has really evolved as a musician and songwriter over the years.
The songs are short and sweet but leave a lasting impression. It is only further evidence that John Frusciante is a musical genius and I now rate him only second to John Lennon as the greatest musicians of all time.
This is the perfect record to listen to late at night while your lying down with your eyes closed.
This is very different to all his previous releases, in comparison I would say it is a more mature version of Niandra Lades and Smile from the streets...

My favourite tracks are Lever pulled, Your Warning, Time Tonight and Leap your bar.

Time Tonight is very personal and the best song you will hear in a long time.

This album is almost perfect in every way and a must for all John fans.

My Rankings:

1.Shadows Collide With People
2.Curtains
3.DC
4.The Will To Death
5.Inside Of Emptiness
6.A Sphere In The Heart Of Silence
7.Automatic Writing(Ataxia)

My inclusion of Shadows on the list was a must because it is the best of the discs he put out in '04. That record, in my opinion, is his most accomplished. DC would most likely had been number two if John had made it an LP. All four of those tracks are crazy excellent! I put Ataxia at the bottom because it was a collaboration, even though it's John's brainchild. I still love that albulm to death. If they continue to release more music however, I'm almost sure it will be a hell of a lot better. "The Sides" alone is worth owning that record.

I have to say it has been a glorious adventure with John this past year and I cant wait till he does it again. His music has not left my cd player, or my head for that matter, in months, a lot of months actually. Tool and Pearl Jam are the only other musician's who have kept me continually foucused on one "music" that long. I'm almost positvie, beautiful things are to come from me in my life because of John's music....Thanks man, it is much appreciated!

You will not be disappointed- I PROMISE. This album was recorded in John's home, the sound is crisp and intimate, his vocal range is breath-taking, not to mention his lyrics and song writing skills. I listen to it every day and SMILE.

This album is magnificent, I have a copy of it on vinyl (recordcollectionmusic.com) but unfortunatly not on CD. I say unfortunatly, because while the quality of vinyl is so much more alive, it is extremely difficult to carry around. I suggest buying both, the CD for the car and the Ipod, and the Vinyl for relaxing at home to the musical stylings of, in my opinion, one of the century's greatest musician. John Frusciante has never disappointed, and he exceeded my expectations astoundingly with his newest works. The Vinyl has a different arraingment of songs, which I think flows better.
1. The Past Recedes
2. lever Pulled
3. Anne
4. The Real
5. A Name
6. Control
7. Your Warning
8. Hope
9. Ascension
10. Time Tonight
11. Leap Your Bar
If in the future I can no longer listen to my records, it will be because I have tirelesly wore out the machine and needle on this record.

I haven't been a fan of John Frusciantes very long(Californication-present), but his six albums are the best albums I have ever owned. Each album has its own unique quality that make them special. His sixth and final release "Curtains" is more mellow when compared to the other 5 albums. It consists of acoustic songs and the same creative genius that is found in John Frusciante's other works. Just like his other albums the lyrics, music, and vocals are all interesting and creative.

First of all, I would like to respond to the online reviewer Eironic--WTF? "Frusciante's songwriting at best has only evolved marginally over the years since rejoining the Chili Peppers, and in someways, it's far less creative and inspired than what you can find on his first four solo albums"? You must be joking bro. Have you accomplished what Mr. Frusciante has musically? Obviously not because I have never heard of you. If Frusciante never put out any of these solo albums, nobody would be aware of the other side of John's musicianship--a strong singer-songwriter side. Sure, his songs are short, but are no less poignant and relevant than any of his ground-breaking work with the Chili Peppers. In fact, I think this album and "Shadows Collide with People" are as good as any Chili Peppers album. For any neigh-sayers like Mr. Eironic who honestly don't believe that Mr. Frusciante's songwriting hasn't evolved over the years, go back to your collection, from Mother's Milk to By the Way, then listen to Frusciante's solo albums. If you can't hear a brilliant musical evolution you are clueless about music. I really mean that, not to insult anybody, but to be frank and honest. I have heard very few musicians in my 24 years that have evolved musically more than Mr. Frusciante. In addition, I think Mr. Frusciante would feel very insulted by your statements Eironic--I'm insulted for crying out loud! But I digress...

Now, about this album. Most of the songs are quite short, in fact the album as a whole isn't very long, but the songs are powerful, perhaps Frusciante's most deep and evocative lyrics ever, and acoustic music has never sound more powerful to me. This album was recorded on an analog 8-track recorder from the 1970s. Beautiful acoustic guitars with the occassional electric lead and/or other instrument--I believe I heard an accordian melody/solo on one of the songs. The album also made me realize how amazing of a rhythm guitarist John is--many of the songs have unique rhythmic time signatures--time signatures that appear very difficult to play, but not for Mr. Frusciante, of course. This album is a very close second favorite of mine, only to "Shadows Collide with People" of course which is a sonic masterpiece. In any event, this another phenomenal album by Mr. Frusicante. I never heard such brilliant acoustic minimalism since Pink Floyd. 'Nuff said.

Another great album by John Frusciante. This album is filled with sad and happy notes, that bring you to a higher level. Just put this CD in your discman, lay on the grass and look at the night sky while enjoying another great solo release from John.

I am a Frufan to the bone. I am in love with every solo record he has produced. Regarding Curtains and the 5 other records, Curtains is a wonderful record. I don't believe it's as good as any of the others. Many other are in love with this record and find this one to be their favorite so i know that this is just my opinion. Curtains i think is the least interesting of all the the series. My list of most to least would be

1. Inside Of Emptiness- Hardest and most rock of all the series
2. A Sphere In The Heart Of Silenece- Haunting Sounds and dark
3. The Will To Death- Pretty and Upbeat Songs
4. DC EP- John without effects just natural guitar playing.
5. Automatic Writing- Very experimental writing and very trippy
6. Curtains- Most acoustical and very personal and instrumentational

Curtains is good because for one there is a wide variety of instrumentation. Piano, acoustic and electric guitar, melodica, stand up and electric bass, and drums. that's wonderful. Also one thing that you get in this record is more of a sense of John and his feelings. With the other recordings, you get more music and experimentation cause of the music. With this record, it's mostly john and his acoustic so all you can do is hear his words and feel what he says. I do say that this record is a record that will take a few listens before you start to get in it's groove, but all in this is still an extrememly GREAT record.