Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 9
  2. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. New Musical Express (NME)
    60
    Zooming sheets of spacious wind-tunnel prog and raw, solo-spattered soul. Commercially, it's suicide. [26 Jun 2004, p.55]
  2. Q Magazine
    60
    Contains some potentially highly commercial music, were it not for the underwhelming production. [Sep 2004, p.118]
  3. The Will to Death is an existential song cycle that finds Frusciante more dedicated to the "song" than ever before -- and even though the record isn't exactly perfect, his unwavering desire to create and explore, to cut an album and move on to the next pending project, is admirable and easy to appreciate.
  4. His intention here was to create something unpolished and free of studio edits, acting as contrast to Shadows. His result, unfortunately, reeks of squandered potential.
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 30 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 30
  2. Negative: 2 out of 30
  1. Sep 14, 2017
    10
    The way Frusciante uses music to express feelings and perspectives is unique, and on that album art is manifested in its pure form. One of theThe way Frusciante uses music to express feelings and perspectives is unique, and on that album art is manifested in its pure form. One of the records that definitely changed my life. Full Review »
  2. Sep 25, 2011
    10
    It makes me cry, every single note is full of passion, this man is not joking. His life is music. John Frusciante is my favorite composer ofIt makes me cry, every single note is full of passion, this man is not joking. His life is music. John Frusciante is my favorite composer of all time. These songs are perfect for a rainy day, perfect for the heart that is in love, perfect for the ear that wanna hear some of the beauty that can be created with a guitar and a voice that goes deep in your feelings. Just listen to it and let you go! Full Review »
  3. JonathanB.
    Jan 28, 2009
    10
    Perfect.