Shadows Collide with People

John Frusciante's "Shadows Collide with People" is a gorgeous pop/experimental album. Frusciante is the guitarist for the world renowned funk rock band, the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Like most of Frusciante's solo albums, this one comes off as a concept album, an art piece if you will.

His songs are flooded with effects, synthesizers and other sounds that come from who knows where, but sound awesome. Frusciante is an esoteric, ex-heroin addict who has prevailed through his troubles and lived to tell about it.

His songs are very singular and analytical of his own persona. He magnifies his confusion, dissolution and pure joy that is contained within him. Beautiful numbers such as "Regret," "Ricky," "Every Person," and "Song to Sing When I'm Lonely" give the album a pop sensibility. Other songs experiment with various effects and structures. His musical partner, Josh Klinghoffer, formerly of the Washington D.C. band, Fugazi, assists Frusciante with vocals, drums, and other instrumentation.

All in all, this album separates itself from the rest of Frusciante's solo work which is more abstract. It dares to fuse both pop and avant-garde into one unique overall sound. You hear the genres of Rock, Punk, Electronica and Experimental. His style comes from his creativity and diligence. Released in 2004, this album was one of a series he would produce during a highly prolific time. From touring with the Chili Peppers to recording at home and producing his own albums, he has become an architect of music. Of the pyramid of Frusciante albums, this one sits at the top.