ARTIST: Red Hot Chili Peppers
ALBUM: I’m With You
LABEL: Warner Bros.
RELEASE DATE: August 29, 2011
Finding Greatness
Photo by Ellen Von Unwerth
Written by Paul Lyons
In 2009, veteran virtuoso guitarist John Frusciante decided to leave the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Several months later, Brendan Mullen passed away. Mullen gave the band their first ever break in 1983 when he booked them at L.A.’s Club Lingerie. On the same day that Mullen died, vocalist Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea and drummer Chad Smith began to rehearse with a brand new guitarist…well, not entirely new.
Thirty-one-year old Josh Klinghoffer has known the Chili Peppers for years, and had even worked closely with John Frusciante on his solo albums. In 2007, he was added as a touring member of the band, providing additional guitar, keyboards and backing vocals. Having Klinghoffer replace Frusciante on guitar was clearly the best (and most natural) choice. Now the Red Hot Chili Peppers have released a new album whose title, I’m With You, was conceived by Kilinghoffer himself. Produced by longtime collaborator Rick Rubin, I’m With You features 14 tracks that showcases the band’s best attributes.
The first track, “Monarchy of Roses,” starts with a quick warm-up of the instruments — like an engine revving up — before launching in to the song properly. It’s working title was “Disco Sabbath”— and for good reason. Josh Kilinghoffer’s guitar adds a heavy metal, Black Sabbath-like feel which counters the disco, dance groove that carries the song.
Bands often sequence their records with killer songs that follow strong opening tracks. Think “Rip This Joint” following “Rocks Off” on the Rolling Stones Exile On Main Street, or “In Bloom” following “Smells Like Teen Spirit” on Nirvana’s Nevermind. Continuing in that tradition, the Red Hot Chili Peppers offer up what is arguably the best and most infectious song on the album: “Factory of Faith.” The star of this track is clearly Anthony Kiedis, who is a master of rhythmic vocals. Listen to his phrasing on the song’s chorus: “Factually I, I’m just a piece of it. Factually I, the very least of it.” The way he blends “Factually” with “I” together as one word is just brilliant, and forces you to stop whatever you’re doing and listen.
“Brendan’s Death Song” is an energetic tribute to Brendan Mullen with Kiedis singing, “It’s safe out there now, you’re everywhere just like the sky. And you know I love you, you are the lucid dream, you are the ride.” The song both mourns and celebrates Mullen at the same time. “Ethiopia” sees the Chili Peppers back in funk mode, with a Chad Smith groove that Sly Stone would be proud of. The hit single “The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie” has a latin-influenced feel, coupled with a rock anthem chorus that will fit well in the band’s live set.
Josh Klinghoffer truly makes his mark on the album. His guitar solos feel like welcome intrusions, injecting each track with an exotic venom that seems to come out of nowhere, yet works just the same. Listen to him on “Brendan’s Death Song,” “The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie” or “Did I Let You Know.” Klinghoffer’s licks cut through like razor blades, and bleed into the DNA of each song. Flea is another star on I’m With You. A must-listen is his trumpet solo on “Did I Let You Know,” his bass solo on “Goodbye Hooray,” or his fine piano work on “Happiness Loves Company” or “Police Station.”
I’m With You may not be a “great” record, yet it has greatness in it, and reinforces the fact that the Red Hot Chili Peppers are very much alive and well, and more than ready to conquer the world once again.