Red Hot Chili Peppers - I'm With You

Album Reviews Sat, 27 Aug 2011 Written by triplew
Editor rating
 
 4.0 User rating
 
 0.0 (0)
Red Hot Chili Peppers - I'm With You
The ‘Chilis are back with their 10th studio album, I’m With You; producing a record that sounds every bit as mature as they are, but still carrying some of the funk-driven elements that have defined the sound of the band for decades.

Being in a band for 25+ years isn’t easy, and anyone who has read Anthony Kiedis’ autobiography, Scar Tissue, can probably understand the Red Hot Chili Peppers (RHCP) have been through more than most.

Losing John Frusciante for the second time in their distinguished career (leaving to focus on his solo career), and picking up renowned session guitarist Josh Klinghoffer, the RHCP have returned with another large album full of ideas, except this time, its wholly different.

On I’m With You the band has seemed to redefine its sound, all together sounding more mature (if that’s possible) and definitely taking a different direction to any album previously. Forget Blood Sugar, if you’re expecting anything from the past, you won’t find it on this record. Although adding some stability, long-time producer Rick Rubin has got another gig producing the record and adds a familiar feel to the tracks.

Monarchy of Roses kicks off the album a with an intriguing approach to the mix, going between analogue roughness and heavy use of toms and the extremely polished; while the following tracks Factory of Faith, Brendan’s Death Song and Ethiopia are perhaps the weakest on the album. The album’s closer Dance, Dance, Dance is also a curious track.

The first single The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie is a little out of place on the album, but works well. Highlights include the visceral Police Station and Even You Brutus? – other stand-out tracks include Goodbye Hooray and Happiness Loves Company.

There isn’t a musical theme coming through on the album, more of a eclectic theme that still has the signature Flea/Chad Smith rhythm section sound, but is added with another dimension by Klinghoffer's guitars and Kiedis’ apparent change in focus of his lyrics.

The concept of the album revolves around life and death, and that's pretty clear from the first glance at the album cover (designed by renowned artist Damian Hirst).

RHCP fans will be happy, although we suspect not enthralled, with this record. That said, this is the type of album that may win them new fans, and will no doubt be popular with radio. It works as a complete album, something which the RHCP have sometimes failed to do coherently.

TRIPLEW.ME TRACK OF CHOICE

Police Station, Even You Brutus?

BUY THIS CD

The album is not on sale yet!

MAKSHOOF MUSIC SOUNDALIKE

Is it any of these artists?

Red Hot Chili Peppers - The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie


Editor review

Almost Great

Rating:
 
 4.0
Reviewed by triplew.me
August 27, 2011
 
Last updated: August 27, 2011
This is a very good album - it has everything. Something for the fans, something for the non-fans and something for a new audience. Sounding a lot more serious than ever before, and retaining the tightest of rhythm sections, this feels like a change of direction on the surface. But on repeated listens it reveals as an evolution of the RHCP catalogue and should do well for them.
 
 

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