Red Hot Chili Peppers - I'm With You

I'm going to keep this review short because I'm really struggling to find anything interesting or noteworthy in this album. Almost out of pure disappointment I just cannot muster enough energy to describe every detail of this...shell. You all know the backstory so I'll spare the "O John Frusciante, wherefore art thou?"s and the tabloid drugs stories.

The album begins with good intentions: the raw distortion and classic rock aesthetics of 'Monarchy of Roses' certainly sound exciting but they quickly subside to a disco-rock riff that never really goes anywhere. Kiedis' vocals are exactly the stereotype of a Kiedis vocal, and whilst the heavy riffs reappear sporadically throughout the track it all feels schizophrenic to me; they don't really blend well. But both of these alternating sounds are much more exciting than the disco-by-numbers 'Factory of Faith', which, whilst containing a rich bassline, actually irritates me.


Many though seem to be appreciating 'Brendan's Death Song' and I'm one of them. Admittedly midtempo it's an emotional, life-affirming ballad with simple but effective lyrics and a pretty lovely vocal. Aaaaw. But to follow this with 'Ethiopia' makes little sense to me. It's got an unusual rhythm, but I can't get past the whole spelling-out-the-title spiel. Annoying. It's frustrating because some of the basslines throughout are great in their minimalism, almost evoking Joy Division, and it's a nice reminder that at least Flea is trying. On 'Annie Wants A Baby' the drums stutter and the guitars ebb with an overwhelming tedium, whilst on 'Look Around' it's almost as if Kiedis has tried to blend all of his vocal styles into one unimaginative smoothie.

It's then cowbell 'o clock on the single 'The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie' which initially struck me as lacklustre and still unfortunately does. Everything from the rooftop performance music video to the MOR riffs feel like they've been done a thousand times before, and that's just by the Peppers themselves. On the other hand, 'Did I Let You Know' has some great riffs and the chorus is as energetic and singalong as some of their classics, all accompanied by a bit of a samba-inspired rhythm and even some kettle drums here and there. Nice. By 'Goodbye Hooray' the initial fears of the album are almost quashed - in amongst all the hubbub and noise there's actually the blueprints to a more exciting Chilis.

Even though I'm struggling to name one of its prominent features, I'd name 'Happiness Loves Company' as one of my favourites from the album. It has a bit of a ragtime Bohemian feel about it thanks to a stomping drumbeat and wonky pianos. Well there's two prominent features, Shaun, don't be hard on yourself. In 'Police Station' the band pull out all of the dramatic stops, but lyrically it's... a bit shit. Not really sure why they needed to translate, but next is 'Even You Brutus?' which all sounds a bit... Kaiser Chiefs. Not good. 'Meet Me At The Corner' almost begs the meaning of life with its unadventurous monotony. The record at least closes with a bit of fun - 'Dance, Dance, Dance' is a pretty good motivation to do what the title asks of you, but again this isn't exactly spectacular.


Like I said - I find it impossible to get excited about this band any more. At least Stadium Arcadium had some excellent singles - but, and this is an all-too simplistic conclusion but one that needs to be made, without Frusciante the Chilis are suffering. This album is the sound of a band dying on its legs.

Rating: 4/10
Highlights: Did I Let You Know, Brendan's Death Song, Happiness Loves Company
Avoid: Factory of Faith, Meet Me At The Corner, The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie, Ethiopia, Annie Wants A Baby, Even You Brutus?

Artwork Watch: It's designed by Damien Hirst, so I want to hate it. But it's rather eye-catching. Not a bloody clue what it means though. But then it's Hirst.