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Product Description
Review
Over a career spanning nearly 30 years, Red Hot Chili Peppers have weathered many storms. Drug addiction threatened to swallow the band whole at various points: founding member Hilel Slovak died of a heroin overdose in 1988 while long-serving guitarist John Frusciante and bandleader Anthony Kiedis have both endured long struggles with substance abuse. It was Frusciante's triumphant return to the group that led to 1999's Californication, a hugely successful career-best that, for the most part, eschewed the spittle and venom of their earlier years in favour of a more reflective sound.
I'm With You is the band's first album to be made with new guitarist Josh Klinghoffer, Frusciante again out of the picture, and at 14 songs is a blessedly more concise affair than 2006's sprawling Stadium Arcadium. Where that record came across as an ambitious (if flawed) synthesis of the group's myriad styles to date, I'm With You aims at something slightly different but remains somewhat watered-down - a portrait of a band hitting all the right notes yet failing to really ignite.
Like most Chilis LPs though, there are moments to savour. On the first day of rehearsals for this set, Kiedis was informed of the death of long-time friend to the band and early champion Brendan Mullen, an influential figure on the LA punk scene. Brendan's Death Song was written out of a jam that followed his breaking the news to the rest of the group: a strong, assured melody anchored by remarkable work from drummer Chad Smith. It reaches a clattering cacophony before receding gracefully; a celebration of life and contemplation of mortality as fine as they have ever produced.
The more refined songs on I'm With You undoubtedly prove the most effective. Meet Me at the Corner and Police Station boast warm female backing vocals and neat, unobtrusive turns from Klinghoffer, while the closing Dance Dance Dance hews closest to the 'new beginning' Kiedis has alluded to in promoting the record - a spacey, laidback groove built around a persistent Flea bassline.
Single The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie exemplifies the Chilis' main problem here: a promising set of verses marred by a plodding, nothing chorus. Perhaps to be expected as the band settles into its new, Frusciante-less configuration but disappointing nonetheless, I'm With You is a solid, decent enough 10th album, but it's far from vital.
--James Skinner
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CD Description
Multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers recorded their tenth studio album, I’m With You, at East West In Los Angeles and Shangri-la in Malibu, CA. I’m With You was produced by Rick Rubin, who produced the band’s previous five albums, 2006’s Stadium Arcadium, 2002’s By The Way, 1999’s Californication, 1995’s One Hot Minute, and 1991’s Blood Sugar Sex Magik. The album was mixed by Andrew Scheps and Greg Fidelman.
One of the most successful acts in rock history, Red Hot Chili Peppers have sold more than 60 million albums, including five multi-platinum LPs, and won six Grammy Awards, including “Best Rock Album” for Stadium Arcadium, “Best Rock Performance By a Duo or Group” for “Dani California, “Best Rock Song” for “Scar Tissue,” and “Best Hard Rock Performance With Vocal” for “Give It Away.”
One of the most successful acts in rock history, Red Hot Chili Peppers have sold more than 60 million albums, including five multi-platinum LPs, and won six Grammy Awards, including “Best Rock Album” for Stadium Arcadium, “Best Rock Performance By a Duo or Group” for “Dani California, “Best Rock Song” for “Scar Tissue,” and “Best Hard Rock Performance With Vocal” for “Give It Away.”
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
When John Frusciante quietly left the Chili Peppers in early 2010 many fans feared the worst for the band after all the last time they recorded an album without him it was 1995's poorly received(although underrated) "One Hot Minute" which featured Jane's Addiction's Dave Navarro on guitar, most people know that Navarro and Frusciante have varying styles and it showed on the album that was probably more experimental and heavy than anything the Chili Peppers had done to that point. So rather go the same route for album number 10 the chili peppers brought in Josh Klinghoeffer who just happened to have played with the band live in 2007 contributing keyboards, backing vocals and guitar. He also played regularly with John Frusciante on Frusciante's many solo records. So he is more familiar with the Chili Peppers sound and style than someone from the outside.
On "I'm With You" the Red Hot Chili Peppers sound like a band who are ready to tackle many different styles when compared with 2006's double album "Stadium Arcadium" which would have been better as a single and suffered from sounding samey at times throughout it's two hour running time. The album opens with "Monarchy of Roses" which starts with distorted guitars and vocals before entering familiar Chili Pepper territory. It's almost a throwback to "Warped" that opened "One Hot Minute". With Frusciante's departure a lot was expected of bassist Flea to step up and make a big contribution, it's safe to say he doesn't disappoint as he and drummer Chad Smith show why they are one of the best rhythm sections around they hold the song "Factory Of Faith" together brilliantly. As well as delivering a nice chunk of funk on tracks "Ethiopia", "Even You Brutus?" and the brilliant album closer "Dance, Dance, Dance".
There's a nice nod to former co-biographer Brendan Mullen on "Brendan's Death Song". "Goodbye Hooray" is vintage Chili Peppers and features some good playing from Klinghoeffer who also adds back ground vocals to song "Did I Let You Know", it's a track that really shows off his talents. First single "The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie" has a nice dance feel to it. Of course not everything works "Annie Wants A Baby" never really does anything and maybe at 14 tracks that album could have been scaled back to 12, but these are only small gripes. As always Rick Rubin provides production on the album, he has produced every Chili Peppers album since 1991's "Blood Sugar Sex Magik".
Whilst nobody can really replace John Frusciante or fill his guitar playing shoes, Josh Klinghoffer does a good job on "I'm With You" and shows he can carry the role, and while at times his playing might seem a bit reserved it's only probably because the weight of expectation on his shoulders and this album will probably serve as a gentle introduction for him after all he is guitarist number eight! for the Chili Peppers. It's been 5 long years since "Stadium Arcadium" so it's good to have the Chili Peppers back and there's a lot of life left in them yet!
On "I'm With You" the Red Hot Chili Peppers sound like a band who are ready to tackle many different styles when compared with 2006's double album "Stadium Arcadium" which would have been better as a single and suffered from sounding samey at times throughout it's two hour running time. The album opens with "Monarchy of Roses" which starts with distorted guitars and vocals before entering familiar Chili Pepper territory. It's almost a throwback to "Warped" that opened "One Hot Minute". With Frusciante's departure a lot was expected of bassist Flea to step up and make a big contribution, it's safe to say he doesn't disappoint as he and drummer Chad Smith show why they are one of the best rhythm sections around they hold the song "Factory Of Faith" together brilliantly. As well as delivering a nice chunk of funk on tracks "Ethiopia", "Even You Brutus?" and the brilliant album closer "Dance, Dance, Dance".
There's a nice nod to former co-biographer Brendan Mullen on "Brendan's Death Song". "Goodbye Hooray" is vintage Chili Peppers and features some good playing from Klinghoeffer who also adds back ground vocals to song "Did I Let You Know", it's a track that really shows off his talents. First single "The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie" has a nice dance feel to it. Of course not everything works "Annie Wants A Baby" never really does anything and maybe at 14 tracks that album could have been scaled back to 12, but these are only small gripes. As always Rick Rubin provides production on the album, he has produced every Chili Peppers album since 1991's "Blood Sugar Sex Magik".
Whilst nobody can really replace John Frusciante or fill his guitar playing shoes, Josh Klinghoffer does a good job on "I'm With You" and shows he can carry the role, and while at times his playing might seem a bit reserved it's only probably because the weight of expectation on his shoulders and this album will probably serve as a gentle introduction for him after all he is guitarist number eight! for the Chili Peppers. It's been 5 long years since "Stadium Arcadium" so it's good to have the Chili Peppers back and there's a lot of life left in them yet!
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It's fresh, dynamic, brilliant with the same value of the RHCP's music over the years depsite who's on guitar. John was amazing and now Josh brings in a new sound but, still sounds the RHCP way. They are all one machine playing for us!!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have always loved the RHCPs - I just find their music infectious. It's been a while since the last album (Stadium Acadium), which was a mixed affair over 2 disks (some brilliant tracks & some not so good).I fully intended to buy `I'm With You' but did not rush to get it and when I finally did, put it on more in hope than expectation. For me though it hit the spot straight away - I love it, and a real return to form. The best album I have heard for a long time. Great musicians, nice harmonies and excellent production.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
I'm With You - RHCP
A cracking album considering that John Frusciante (aka the not so secret weapon) is no longer in the band. Read more
Published 1 month ago by tinglis399
Josh Klinghoffer is as Good as Frusciante.
Awsome album. You need to listen to it before you really start to like it, and Klinghoffer is completley awsome. Best tracks are Look Around and Monarchy of Roses. BUY IT!
Published 3 months ago by Stratocaster042
Brilliant. Just Brilliant.
Recently bought the Vinyl version of I'm With You from my local record store, and am pleased to report that the fears of peaking and distortion associated with the producer in... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Jacob Hill
Suprisingly Fresh and powerful
It may have taken 5 years for them to re appear with an album,but they have done what many bands have not,going since 1984.. Read more
Published 4 months ago by G. Templeton
Amazing
i am a HUGE RHCP fan and i love every album, for me this was a must buy. after i received this in the mail i put it in my B&O and i was absolutely astounded, I could hear things i... Read more
Published 4 months ago by AlexVinylLover
5 months later...
i thought this was a horrible album when it came out, it grew on me a little bit, and now i think its just not that great an album again... Read more
Published 4 months ago by John Georgiou
Great Album
One of my all time favorite groups. Great album, not as popular maybe now as they should be. Highly recommended.
Published 4 months ago by mose19
Highly Enjoyable!
As an avid RHCP fan I am always the first to jump on the bandwagon in reviewing their work. I'm not going to lie, being a MASSIVE John Frusciante fan I wasn't hugely excited about... Read more
Published 5 months ago by LRViccary
AMAZING
This album is absolutely amazing. a great listen and every song is top quality. i would definitely recommend to anyone who likes even one song by the red hot chili peppers. Read more
Published 5 months ago by WEDGIE
For £4.99.. I couldn't and didn't say no.
I genuinely loved this, I can understand some dislike for it, but for me it did everything right. Well, pretty much, 4 and a half stars would have probably been the better... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Robert Harvey
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