I'm With You - RCHP's new sound

[Spider-Who?]

Any body hear this album yet?

I've been a fan since Mother's Milk. RHCP has been one of - if not my all time favorite bands. Their Blood Sugar Sex Magik album is what made me learn guitar, way back when, and their music has had a profound effect of me, personally and musically. Heck, in high school, I was even in a Peppers cover band, lol.

I'm ALL about musicians trying different things. I usually don't understand the hate people give their favorite bands when they try something new (ie: I actually dug Metallica's Saint Anger album for what it was). I try to judge new music by what the band is trying to do.

That being said, I'm really disappointed with the Peppers' new cd. I knew it was going to be different with Klinghoffer on guitar, but I guess I was expecting something...better. Most of the songs on the album feel like music you'd hear at a modern disco club. The guitar parts take a very small back seat - you wouldn't miss it if the album was just bass and drums. Flea is far more restrained - his trade mark slapping is no where to be heard - though I admit that his bass walks are pretty solid. Chad's drums DO seem a little more complex than before - I feel like he's the stand out in the album. Kiedis' vocals - while never anything truly remarkable - seem to have lost something. The whole CD feels like nothing but B sides; weak mixes, half finished ideas...nothing really flows together. Idunno, I'm sad about it (but not really surprised).

Thoughts?

 

[SsM]

I kind of feel the same way, I like a few of the songs.. It got Rick Rubined, its too loud, they focused more on drums and bass than an ensemble like they usually do, I guess to make up for John's absence, but Josh is a good guitar player.. I think he could have done some great things. I felt they threw in random stuff.. there's a trumpet solo in one of the songs and I felt that was completely out of place, Josh's back up vocals are truly horrible. My main problem is keidis and his vocals and lyrics... His songs made much more sense when he was strung out, which is sad.

 

[Go Web Go!]

I like it, but the new sound can be attributed more to their new guitarist than anything else. Not saying he's terrible, Frusciante is a tough act to follow, but he just doesn't seem to fit in with the band's sound - plus his backing vocals are awful. It took me a solid half-dozen listens before I realized that it wasn't a female.

 

[ron1705]

I liked the album more than I had anticipated. I'm a big Frusciante fan so him leaving was quite a loss. But I really like this album. You have some instant classic songs like Monarchy of Roses and Even You Brutus and some songs that grow on you like Did I Let You Know and Anne Wants a Baby.

 

[Brain Damage]

Personally I loved it. Josh is a much more textural player than John, that is he's much more interested in tone and simple, tasty guitar parts, rather than the more technical lead and rhythm playing of John. As far as the songs go, I'm very pleased. They're definitely much more about the "songs" rather than musical prowess.
I think over time this album will grow on me even more than it already has. Not their best album for sure, but one of their better ones. Anthony is pretty much the same as always, not the best lyrics, but great delivery and passion in them. Flea is more restrained than usual, but I think that's been a steady pattern from album to album. His playing is exactly what bass should be, and he and Chad are still an unmatched rhythm section. Speaking of Chad, he is amazing on this album. Just awesome. His playing is much less linear and more in tune with his live playing, which is something I always wished he brought into the studio. As for Josh, I think he's doing a remarkable job as establishing his own unique sound.
A great album, I think. The standouts for me so far are Did I Let You Know, Raindance Maggie, Meet Me and the Corner, and maybe my favorite on the album, Even You, Brutus?

 

[SsM]

I think Annie wants a baby is my favorite, Brendans death song second. Meet me at the corner too..

 

[TheAQU4M4N]

I take the album as what Anthony said in the recent MTV promo interview, its a new configuration of the Chili Peppers. People are going to have to deal with not having JF in the band, I was shocked beyond belief went he left for the second time! but nonetheless I have accept their new sound and new outlook on life.