Hot Sex | Peppers Take New Path On Album | Entertainment

The anticipation for the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ new album, "I’m With You," has been huge. With such a long history as one of the most influential funk bands walking this planet, the expectations have never been greater.

"Monarchy of Roses" kicks off this long-awaited record in a bombastic drum arrangement. Here one can already sense that a major difference has been made since guitar virtuoso John Frusciante left the band two years ago and was replaced with the more technical guitar player Josh Klinghoffer. Worth mentioning is that drummer Chad Smith seems to have implemented more elements of percussion in his patterns. However, the difference is that the sense of their signature raw funk, which made previous landmarks "Californication" and "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" critically acclaimed, has withered away and been replaced with a more multi-layered result. The Red Hot Chili Peppers is now studying funk as a minor instead of a major, where pop, rock and a slight taste of disco play bigger parts.

When John Frusciante left the band, I began to wonder, "Who on earth will continue composing soulful guitar melodies that bonded John and bassist Flea so well?" "Brendan’s Death Song" is the right answer to this endless pondering that many have suffered the past two years. The acoustic track delivers such a touching message accompanied by majestic drumbeats giving a warm breeze inside. This is Anthony Kiedis and his fellow Peppers at their very best. This step into a new direction has also emphasized a few interesting instruments. The piano has never been used this much on any Red Hot Chili Peppers record before, even though John Frusciante picked it up a number of times during the "By the Way" era. "Even You Brutus?" on this record is a great example of their capabilities in implementing new instruments. A potential live favorite, maybe?

Any product that leaves the factory comes with some kind of flaw. The content of "I’m With You" is definitely not an exception. The second track "Factory of Faith" is, unfortunately, one of the most artificial and plastic songs produced by this fellowship of funk. Even though the rhythm doesn’t disappoint, the lyrics are off the map. And with a singer and songwriter in the front such as Anthony Kiedis, depth and meaning should be served on a daily basis.

"I’m With You" is definitely a record that grows every time one listens to it. Although feeding half a mouthful of funk to its audience, it is definitely not an album that brings justice to the most die-hard fans of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. As the band has mentioned during the making of this album, it is a new band that has been formed after John Frusciante’s departure. Not necessarily a sign of leaving its roots, but opening up for new areas to explore. The Red Hot Chili Peppers, once again, extends its base of fans by implementing new elements of other genres. It is the beginning of something experimental and interesting.

3 stars

Best song: "Brendan’s Death Song"