By The Red Hot Chili Peppers are back, sort of. “I’m With You,” their 10th release, is their first album in 5 years and nothing can prepare fans for the band’s new sound.
The departure of guitarist John Frusciante might play a role in the group’s new style. So, how could the band truly be great again when their new guitarist Josh Klinghoffer was only four-years-old when the band first formed? Well, the answer isn’t in “I’m With You,” but there’s still a lot of potential in this rebirth. Overall, the album opens the door to a lot of potential, but most of it is hard to remember.
“Monarchy of Roses” starts the album off in a fuzzy spectrum of sounds with a hard beat. As soon as the fog clears and the chorus starts, one couldn’t be happier. A constant staple of the Chili Peppers are their catchy choruses and this one’s not bad.
“Factory of Faith” is a hard, bass-driven track that will have listeners head-bobbing, but the absence of Frusciante leave the guitar parts sounding incomplete.
“Brendan’s Death Song” is a heartfelt song with a fuzzy-feeling acoustic guitar introduction. The lyrics are a tribute to a friend of vocalist Anthony Kiedis’ that passed away the first day of rehearsal for the new album. It’s essentially a song that helps listeners reminisce about past times with a good friend.
“Ethiopia” clearly draws the standard for what the revamped RCHP is capable of and what their new sound is. It’s funky; it’s also kind of heartfelt with lyrics about Kiedis’ young son. There are several different beats and rhythms that work with each instrument.
“Annie Wants a Baby” has a stronger verse and bridge stronger than the actual chorus. This song is a nice change of pace. It’s more on the chill side until listeners get to that louder and not-so-exciting chorus.
“Look Around” is a definite highlight of the album. Fans will love the track way before 20 seconds in, as it just explodes and then breaks down into signature RCHP funk. The guitar has various sounds here and really shows off what Klinghoffer has to offer the band.
“The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie” is a very disappointing first single after a five year break. The song does not sound like rock, and is overall very boring. However it does grow on listeners, whether they like it or not.
“Did I Let You Know” includes beautiful guitar work. This track is at the heart of the album. There’s even a fun little trumpet solo, too. Another highlight of the album, the song makes listeners feel like dancing with friends in a beautiful setting.
“Goodbye Hooray” is a heavy-hitter and you unpredictable think you know what’s coming next until it completely changes directions for one trippy interlude in then comes right back swinging.
“Happiness Loves Company” includes piano, which is interesting mix into the band. It kind of works in this track and kind of doesn’t. RCHP goes into some experimental territory here. It’s a happy song, but it’s ultimately lost in the rest of the album.
“Police Station” has an introduction that is closest listeners get to a slow jam on this record. This song has soul to it, and the piano is much more welcome here than in “Happiness Loves Company.”
“Even You Brutus” is another highlight from the album because it has a great rhythm that will keep listeners moving, and getting more piano impressed by the album. Old and new fans should enjoy this one.
“Meet Me at the Corner” is refreshing because Kiedis’ lyrics actually make sense. It’s a smooth song, about a man ruining a relationship with a woman.
“Dance, Dance, Dance” is a feel-good song, and if it accomplishes anything, it opens the door to all kinds of possibilities for the future of RCHP instead of closing the album.
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