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The Empyrean
by
The Empyrean Image
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 62 Ratings

  • Summary: The 10th solo album for the Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist features Flea and Johnny Marr as guest artists.

Top Track

Unreachable
Are we Down for the same cause? We don't know what we stand for When the moments start to crack You do lose track where your head's at And I am... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Observer Music Monthly
    80
    John Frusciante has carved out a parallel world as a solo artist over a series of intensely personal and brilliantly realised albums. His 10th, The Empyrean, is his most ambitious to date.
  2. Alternative Press
    80
    The Empyrean ultimately proves that if things don't work out with his main gig, Frusciante as a healthy, slap bass-free career ahead. [Apr 2009, p.140]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. NOW Magazine
    80
    The Empyrean, is an engaging collection of brilliant soundscapes, fancy guitar work and some intriguing electronica flourishes.
  4. Spin
    70
    Unshackled again from the need to craft radio-­ready riffs, the guitarist unfurls long­-winded but beguiling keepers.
  5. Sputnikmusic
    70
    The notable tracks certainly makes this far away from a failure and the record as a whole is yet another solid presentation of Frusciante's unique take on his own solo career.
  6. Uncut
    60
    Unusually for him, his 10th album sounds like a collection of Chili Peppers demos. [Feb 2009, p.82]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. PopMatters
    40
    While this album may mirror some type of personal imaginative journey for the listener, the truth is it is just too dreary and self-indulgent to endure in its entirety.

See all 8 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
  1. Damascusrose
    Dec 13, 2013
    10
    This is my favourite album of all time, every single moment of it is just beautiful and filled with meaning and emotion for me. It'sThis is my favourite album of all time, every single moment of it is just beautiful and filled with meaning and emotion for me. It's absolutely incredible on so many levels, from musicality and catchiness to lyrics and theme. This is just a perfect album, deserving of an 11 if I could rate it that. I've never experienced more of a complete work of art, and I doubt I'll love any album in my lifetime as much as I love this one. I even like it more than Funeral by Arcade Fire, and that album is genius.… Expand
  2. Squark66
    Mar 9, 2019
    10
    When this came out I had waited years for it, having gone from a rhcp fam to just a John fan, this is the perfect album. The greatest work ofWhen this came out I had waited years for it, having gone from a rhcp fam to just a John fan, this is the perfect album. The greatest work of art in history.… Expand
  4. matheusvenanc
    Jan 9, 2021
    10
    My top album of all time. Such a beautiful concept so well delivered, and bold choices of sounds. These reviews of PopMatters and Uncut are aMy top album of all time. Such a beautiful concept so well delivered, and bold choices of sounds. These reviews of PopMatters and Uncut are a real shame, how can someone say this looks like RHCP's demos? Not judging music tastes, but it has so much NOTHING to do with that.… Expand
  5. KarineL
    Feb 19, 2009
    9
    This is really one of my favorite album so far. The major thing, his voice improves a lot... It's amazing ! This is the album with the This is really one of my favorite album so far. The major thing, his voice improves a lot... It's amazing ! This is the album with the more quality that he ever done. I'm down on my knees.… Expand
  6. TomekDarda
    Mar 17, 2018
    9
    In my mind it's a great artist's take on the construction of the universe since it's conception till the end. Glorious.

    Favourites: Before    In my mind it's a great artist's take on the construction of the universe since it's conception till the end. Glorious.

    Favourites: Before the Beginning, Song to the Siren, Central    … Expand
  7. jamieh.
    Jun 28, 2009
    9
    Fantastic! So many layers to his music....brilliant!
  8. [Anonymous]
    Aug 25, 2009
    2
    It's always sad when one of our heroes fails. Maybe one good song on the whole thing. Never thought JF would be capable of this. I think It's always sad when one of our heroes fails. Maybe one good song on the whole thing. Never thought JF would be capable of this. I think he's just getting too comfortable in his life.… Expand

See all 21 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

64
#64 Most Discussed Album of 2009
47
#47 Most Shared Album of 2009

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