9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Surprised? Heck yeah i am!, June 21, 2001
I wasn't expecting THAT much when i purchased this cd .. I mean, generally my experience with solo efforts have been pretty lackluster. SO of course i was like "hey, it's dave navarro, he's pretty cool, might as well pick it up and give him a chance." Well, to put it quite honestly, I was blown away by this cd. Not only is it a marvel sonically, but Dave is actually a really good singer! Wouldn't have thunk it -- but it's true. Anyway - every song on this album is REALLY well done (and it sounds like the production was good too), so give it a chance. CAUTION: Those of you who are big Janes' fans and think this is like them - sorry, it sounds NOTHING like Janes.. but it's still awesome none-the-less.
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15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
He's Capable of So Much More, November 4, 2001
I am a huge fan of Dave Navarro's work, and I think he's an absolutely brilliant guitarist. He really gave Jane's Addiction their unique and highly influential sound. In his 1994 project **Deconstruction** with Jane's bassist Eric Avery, Navarro delivered some of the most mind-bending and technically impressive guitar work to be heard in years (this is a criminally overlooked album, by the way). As a member of Red Hot Chili Peppers, although he didn't quite jive with them stylistically, on **One Hot Minute** he gave that band a muscular virtuosity, the lack of which had always been their biggest flaw, and provided them with a focus and musicianship that led to their most consistent (although most un-RHCP-like) album ever. As such a huge admirer of Navarro's work, I was very excited about this solo project. Sadly, I will have to declare this album a minor disappointment.
In a surprising development, the lyrics on this album are very good, and are especially strange and cryptic. After you take some time to figure out what he's talking about, you will find some very disturbing meditations on the murder of Dave's mother and how it has ruined his ability to form relationships with those around him. Although the lyrics are great, the musical aspects of this album are a real problem. It seems that Dave is best at building upon the ideas of other songwriters (Perry Farrell in Jane's, Eric Avery in Deconstruction, Flea in RHCP), and can really add power and precision to the original ideas created by his songwriting partners. Unfortunately, his real weakness is coming up with original ideas himself. His original songs on this album are very standard and predictable alt-rock, despite the attempts to liven them up with weird sound effects or exotic beats. "Rexall" is bogged down by an unnecessarily complicated drum pattern, "Hungry" and "Avoiding the Angel" are damaged by useless noises and sound effects, and "Not For Nothing" destroys the momentum of a killer riff with tragically unfocused vocal harmonies and soloing. Some successful cuts include "Sunny Day" which contains a middle-eastern inflected symphonic section, "Everything" which is about the only stretch of uncluttered straight-up rock on the album, while the cover of Velvet Underground's "Venus in Furs" is a creepy and obsessive dirge.
Navarro performs many of the instruments on the album himself, with some help from some great drummers (mostly Matt Chamberlain who often works for Tori Amos, plus cameos by Jane's drummer Stephen Perkins and RHCP's Chad Smith). All of the musicians are capable, but they (including Dave) are bogged down by the weak material. The big problem is Navarro's apparent refusal to play the guitar god role on this album, and focus on the other instruments instead, leaving the guitar in a mostly supporting role. I can understand Dave's desire to draw attention away from the guitar heroics to the other aspects of his music. But unfortunately, being a guitar god is his major strength. This album just highlights his weaknesses.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dave shines in his new album, June 23, 2001
By A Customer
I have been a Navarro fan for over 10 years now and this album is nothing short of awesome. We all know that Dave is one of the best guitarists on the planet. But I was surprised at how well he sings. His voice isnt the best I have ever heard but he sings every bit as good as most modern rock singers.
This doesnt sound like a typical solo album to me. Dave isnt saying "look at me, I have a record all my own". "Trust No One" sounds like a band and not one person trying getting his personal glory. All the songs are well written and produced. Everything is top notch here.
My only complaint about this record is that Dave's guitar work takes a back seat to the music as a whole. Not really a bad thing I guess. But Nivarro is an EXCELLENT GUITAR PLAYER. I would have liked his guitar solos to knock me over more often on this CD.
This album is excellent. If you like modern rock music "Trust No One" is the CD for you.
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