In this CD cover image released by Warner Bros. Records, the latest by Red Hot Chili Peppers, "I'm With You," is shown. (AP Photo/Warner Bros. Records)
Red Hot Chili Peppers, “I’m With You” (Warner Bros.)
The Red Hot Chili Peppers have remained musically relevant for almost three decades by tweaking their formula (and sometimes their lineup) from album to album. Their 10th effort, “I’m With You,” continues that evolution, reuniting the group with producer Rick Rubin and revealing that the funk-rockers are (gasp) growing up.
There’s still some irreverent rap and funky pop-punk among the album’s 14 tracks, but the tunes are more melodic and the themes more mature.
Frontman Anthony Keidis broods about inevitable decay and the toll life takes on “Police Station” and “Annie Wants a Baby.” He sings of love and betrayal on “Even You Brutus?” and about his own maturity on “Factory of Faith,” a track anchored by Flea’s thumping bass. Keidis is at his most tender on “Brendan’s Death Song,” an acoustic ballad of goodbye.
COMMERCIAL IMAGE In this photograph taken by AP Images for Fuse, Red Hot Chili Peppers perform at The Roxy, on Monday, August 22, 2011, in West Hollywood, California. (Casey Rodgers /AP Images for Fuse)
That’s not to say the album is a downer. Overall, it’s upbeat musically and lyrically. The opening track, “Monarchy of Roses,” crackles with energy, from Keidis’ bullhorn vocals to Chad Smith’s driving drums and Josh Klinghoffer’s distorted guitars. The single, “The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie,” has almost a 1980s new-wave vibe. “Goodbye Hooray” is a snarling rock song, and “Dance, Dance, Dance” is downright jubilant, a happy track about “the holiness of play” and how we’re all in this together.
Kind of makes growing up sound like a good thing.
CHECK THIS TRACK OUT: Trumpets, Latin drums and layered guitars give “Did I Let You Know” a world-music feel. And Keidis gets extra points for cleverly rhyming “cheeky” with “Mozambiquey.”