Red Hot Chili Peppers - I'm With You - Review

I purchased this on iTunes the day it was available in Australia but needed time to get to know the songs better before I judged them. It's like meeting someone for the first time. To judge them on the first opinion they make or the colour of their hair would be remiss. I like to get to know somebody a little before I judge them, whisper behind their back and ridicule them from the safety of my laptop.

So the vibe of this album is a lot cruisier than previous Chili albums but is peppered with little gems and even a few tracks that are slow burners. (They didn't jump at me on first or second listens but have forced their way into my subconscious like that tasty jingle - Costanza!)

Monarchy of Roses

A very worthy 1st track. This is the Chili Peppers at their rock best. The lyrics are pretty tight, Chad holds his on the drums and Josh is given the freedom to stamp his name on the albums. I like it! 8/10

Factory of Faith

I don't mind this but it doesn't ring RHCP's to me. It seems like an early 80's homage. Certain parts of the song are actually quite good but the way Kiedis barks 'Factory' out and it's 40+ times just it's my kind of .... 7/10

Brendan's Death Song

This is my favourite song on the album and given time will probably settle into the top ten all-time RHCP songs. At my funeral this, Venice Queen and Gravedigger by Dave Matthews will be the 3 songs I want played! Sure it's about a real person, Brendan Mullins who had been known to the Peppers for an age but it's just a beautiful song born out of a jam after hearing the news of his passing and it permeates into every lyric and beat. I love this song, although mot in love with the title. 10/10

Ethiopia

I do like this song but there's something holding me back from really liking it. This could be a slow-burner that will take a little longer till I get it. 7.5/10

Annie Wants a Baby

I pre-judged this on title and was wrong. I really like this also. It's smooth and melodic with tidy little beats to it. 8/10

Look Around

I can't put my finger on it but I really dig the feel of this track. Chorus is too simple and a little annoying but still a strong effort! 7.5/10

The Adventures of Raindance Maggie

This was the first single for a reason. It's a bloody good song. The lyrics are good to sing along to but the hero of this is the bass playing by Flea. I'm not a musician by any stretch but I can appreciate what is being done here. My head starts bopping at the start of the song and doesn't stop till it's over. 9/10

Did I Let You Know

This song has surprised in that I didn't really notice it first time around but it's slowly becoming one of my favourites. Couple of cool little solos including Flea on the trumpet too. This I know!!! 8/10

Goodbye Hooray

It has a catchy chorus if repetitive but otherwise not my favourite track on the album. 7/10

Happiness Loves Company

It sure does! Chad Smith sets the tone for this bopper and Kiedis just manages to hold on. Not a special track but I wouldn't skip it either! 7.5/10

Police Station

Subtle and tight would be the two words I'd use to describe this. This is the sort of great song the Peppers make when they're not trying to sound like the Peppers. Everyone brings something to this. 8.5/10

Even You Brutus?

I like this because of the clever Julius Caeser inspired lyrics and it's also music to my ears. Well layered and tempered. Another case of the song being better than the moniker.8/10

Meet Me At The Corner

This is an unassuming track that has a catchy hook and haunting lyrics from evergreen Anthony Kiedis. 7.5/10

Dance, Dance, Dance

This is the last track on the album and sends it off with bop and optimism. There's no standout winning element but it works and it's fun. 7.5/10

After almost 2 weeks to be acquainted with this album I'm happy to recommend it to people but more than 1 hearing is required to get a handle on it! I'd give the album 8.5/10

Until then hail to the Masque!

Red Hot Chili Peppers new single

The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie

Anticipation of the new RHCP single was as high as it could possibly be in my house after a 4 year self imposed hiatus by the iconic rock band.

I read a few reviews before downloading it (legally on iTunes) and this was a bad mistake. Especially when I read one review saying it sounded more like Bon Jovi. Which it does not!!!!!

I'd also read an interview where leader singer Anthony Keidis explains the origins of the song and how it was originally going to be an hour long B-side of a jam session. Thankfully they whittled away and produced a worthy opening single for the upcoming album I'm With You.

It all started after Flea spent a day trying to nail a classic bass line and in my opinion he did and it's the best part of the song. Flea has strummed out an iconic head bopping beat and Anthony has layered quality but not great lyrics to.

While it's not one of the Peppers greatest songs it sits comfortably nestled in several ipod playlists. And you know what I don't mind the cow bell. I hope it isn't played throughout the album but it kinda fits here!

My appetite is well and truly whetted for the album which will hit the stands 3 days before the birth of my 2nd child!!!

Until then hail to the lipstick junkie!

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Album List

I have listed, in order, movies of some of my favourite film makers but I thought I would take a lefty and try to sequence the albums of my favourite band of all time. I will admit I came to 'The Peppers' pretty late in the piece hearing tracks of Mother's Milk at a friends house. And if I'm honest I only really took notice when I heard the rap lyrics for Track 4, Magic Johnson. I was pretty well versed in the NBA at the time and couldn't believe these white boys could rap about athletes.


The same mate would play the album most times I was over there so it kind of seeped into my musical subconscious. Then in 1991 a very good friend of mine Sam introduced me to Blood Sugar Sex Magic via his older brother Nick and it was a love affair after that.

I have been to 2 concerts since and own every single album (not counting The Abbey LP) and many B sides. I have ranked these albums based on relistenability, lyrics, number of hits and overall quality (How good is the worst song on the album?).

#1 - Blood Sugar Sex Magic
#2 - Californication
#3 - Mother's Milk
#4 - Stadium Arcadium
#5 - By the Way
#6 - The Uplift Mofo Party Plan
#7 - Freaky Styley
#8 - One Hot Minute
#9 - The Red Hot Chili Peppers

I have left of 'greatest hits' albums and the Abbey LP.
#1
Highlight - Every single track! Favs change with the seasons but this Fall it's The Greeting Song and My Lovely Man

#2
Highlight - Again changes often but ATM it's Emit Remmus and Easily

#3
Highlights - Knock Me Down and Nobody Weird Like Me

#4
Highlights - Wet Sand and Snow ((Hey Oh))

#5
Highlights - Venice Queen and Midnight and Dosed

#6
Highlights - Subterranean Homesick Blues and Skinny Sweaty Man and Fight Like a Brave and Behind the Sun

#7

Highlights - Blackeyed Blonde and Nevermind

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#8

Highlights - Tearjerker and My Friends

#9

Highlights - True Men Don't Kill Coyotes and Police Helicopter

There were several albums that could be swapped but number 1 is number ONE. 2 to 5 are pretty close and 7 to 9 are close. As for the highlights, these are just a smattering of my fav tracks but certainly not an exhausted list!!

Until then hail to California!