Red Hot Chili Peppers - By the Way
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Free Music Notes for By the Way
Free Music Review: Very, well done.
Hit: 5 Stars
That's to say it is done very well. It's a very accomplished album. At first I was hoping for; a.) a return in some fashion to the Blood Sugar days of the care-free and inventive, energizing funky-monk freaky masterpieces, and... b.) a step or two away from the sluggish, somewhat uninspired (that is, it didn't "inspire" me), lack luster *YAWN* Californication.Instead with this new album I got Californication part 2, but I also got The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds, which is by far the most beautiful record ever put down, (Pet Sounds, I'm referring to). Guitarist John Frusciante is truly back from the dead, that's to say on Californication he was not yet completely revived, which I suspect was the reason for that album's "uninspired-ness" since he is, I suppose, the groups' arty guy. Yeah. John's contribution to their music is immense (reference the sans-John album One B'Hot-ched Minute). I honestly thought a major chunk of John the FunkyMonkMelodyMan was gone for good after his 'Fornication, performances but I was wrong. He and the rest of the band decorate By The Way with inspired melody and harmony hooks that make this record what Californication should have been.
It's the bittersweet Bizzeach Boys quality of this record that keeps you coming back for more. I never thought a group could successfully emulate the emotional blends of vocal wizardry that Brian Wilson did in his sleep, but the Peppers do and add it very cleverly. The track "Minor Thing" showcases this talent better than anything with its blossoming vocal vortex a la "Don't Worry Baby" making it one of the best Peppers songs to date. "Universally Speaking" also pounds along like a Brian Wilson sunshine classic. I just wish that we could have seen maybe a little more humor in some of the tracks, maybe a playful vocal or too... I know singer Anthony Keidis can do it, maybe some bass vocals running contra to the melody, saying some outlandish things like, "Dip dip, bop" or, maybe something a little more Chili. You do the math.
My only other complaint is that drummer Chad Smith - it seems - is somewhat missing from many of the performances, relegated to just simply "keeping time" as is much of Flea's now more sensitive bass playing. Smith is one of the most exciting drummers on the market today and I hate to see him just in the background all the time but maybe there isn't as much room to maneuver on this set. And Flea, who still manages to astound even in the most subdued sense, wouldn't bother me if he got a little more of the spotlight,... but then again maybe not on this set.
So, Rick Rubin, who has now affirmed himself as the 5th Beatle, or Pepper, the 5th Pepper, is really almost inseparable from the band now. I can't imagine the Chili's without the super compressed dried-out sounds of Rubin. I hate to say it but maybe the Chili's should try a few tracks on the side without Rubin to see what it would sound like, but, hey... why mess with the formula? It's just that Smith's drums can sometimes sound a bit shrunken when they're this compressed but... in the same breath I absolutely love the sounds produced by the Rubin-Peppers partnership. There's never been anything even close to this sound. Amazing.
All things said this is a very exciting release and one of the best Red Hot albums yet. Overall By The Way is maybe a millimeter less an equal to Blood Sugar but a great companion to that album's fun-loving creativity... providing some well earned and well rewarded introspection.
Free Music Review: The transformation is complete...
Hit: 5 Stars
With their 1984 self-titled debut, the Red Hot Chili Peppers clearly presented their in-your-face brand of heavy metal and funk. They continued to live the high life of sex, drugs and rock n' roll to it's fullest for years to come. Fast-forward to 1999, and you see a major reinvention of their sound on "Californication". Here, we catch a side of the Peppers that we've never seen before, except for maybe a glimpse on "Under The Bridge". Yes, we catch the band getting sober, and essentially, maturing. That is a scary word to some people. But the Peppers have done it better than any other band out there. Especially when you consider that John Frusciante returned to the group after seven years of heroin addiction and recovery. You can tell his playing is levels higher than his earlier works. The time is now 2002, and the Peppers have created an even better album, proving that they will be around for years to come. "By The Way" is an expansion and a refinement of it's predecessor. In comparison to their earlier works, the album is laid-back, mellow, sentimental, and bittersweet.
Anthony Kiedis and John Frusciante steal the show. I've never heard Anthony's voice sound better. He has really settled into his style with exuberant confidence. John Frusciante also has a stunning voice, which is also captured on his solo records, which he has eight of, just like the Chili Peppers. The harmony that they display is absolutely breathtaking. Flea (bass) and Chad Smith (drums) provide the freewheeling rhythm section the album needs to keep it driving solid. Flea's funky bass playing is less prominent than their past records. I suppose some people will be disappointed with this record due to the overhaul in sound, which is a bogus reason. Some people are just stuck in their hardcore funk years. I for one, believe that a band needs to evolve. It would get boring if a band settled into one sound and played it the same for 30 years; not only for the listeners, but for the musicians. Their discography is like a canvas with a vast rainbow of different colors compiled in it, and "By The Way" is just as strong as "Blood Sugar Sex Magik," and "Californication". As an owner of all the Red Hot Chili Peppers, I like their new stuff more. There is something about their maturity through their troubled existence in pop music, that gives the music richness. This is not the Chili Peppers losing their flavor, this is the Chili Peppers reinventing flavor. It seems that these guys stem from an ever growing platform of new ideas and sounds, which makes it seem like this is just a new beginning to another 20 years of brilliant music. Some of the best tracks include "By the Way," "This Is the Place," "Dosed," "The Zephyr Song," "I Could Die for You," "Midnight," "Cabron," and "Minor Thing".
All these songs on "By The Way" flow together cohesively. Anthony's lyrics are so much more passionate, emotional, and vulnerable. There is also far less sexual aggression involved, making it more personal, and soulful. Some people might be saying, "Where's the funk?" It's in there, it just isn't right in your face; but it's definitely lurking around. There are just some things you need to discover for yourself, regardless of what naysayers will tell you. "By The Way" is among the elite in their discography.
Free Music Review: Its not typical chili's, but its great
Hit: 5 Stars
The big boys are back, and what a way to come back. Their last album Californication, was an amazing album, it must be hard to come out with that album and then come out with something just as good, can they do it. You bet they can, they are the chili's possibly the best American band ever, well in my eyes they are. This album came as quite a shock to me at first as it seems to be quite nothing like what the chili peppers usually go for.
I was expecting some relaxed songs and some raw songs along the line of all around the world, give it away and so on. I was expecting some old school chili peppers. And that's not what I got, but this album still stand out from the crowd.
Not only have the chili peppers continued on their success in terms of good albums but they have brought a new vibe to their collection.
The whole of this album is quite amazing, the only song that is somewhat slightly like old school chili'd is 'By The Way', but then its still not quite as powerful as the old chili's peppers of the blood sugar sex magik days.
This fact doesn't disappoint me at all, its not like I was wanting this album to be hardcore funky peppers, its a surprisingly mellow collection of songs that is quite consistently amazing throughout.
Some of the songs at first may seem a little bad and well, boring, but once you have a listen more then once you start to like the album more and more and more. I was drawn to this album the first time I heard it but it did get better each time I heard it, now I am convinced that this could be one of the best albums of the past year maybe. If not the best its certainly one of the most original.
My favourite tracks off the album are:
Can't Stop, a quite funky, mellow almost quite ska in many ways. Great lyrics.
This is the place, a slow number, about incest I think, Kidus mentions 'I don't want to give it to my babies' kid'. It's quite strange but I like it, I'm not into incest but I'm into this song.
On mercury, this is another almost ska number, quite upbeat, nice lyrics, quite relaxing.
Don't forget me, probably the best song on the album for me, very slow in places, reminds me off 'scar tissue' spliced with 'otherside' but slowed down quite a lot. This is a very relaxing song, and probably my favourite song from the album.
There are plenty of other great songs on this album, but those are some of the main highlights. If you are a great fan of mood music, and you like the chili peppers then I suggest you get this. If your expecting old school chili's, with stomping big bass lines and guitar riffs left right and centre then you won?t get them, but there's still some amazingly great music inside this album which you need to discover.
I seriously think this is one of the best albums I have heard for a while, possibly my favourite album of this century so far.
It really is a great album which is worth every penny of its price tag, it is a vital addition to any chili peppers fans collection and a vital addition to anyone's collection who is in to mood music along the line of Radiohead, REM and so on.
They big boys of funk, have relaxed and mellowed with age, like fine wine or whiskey. This is yet again another classic from the boys, well done Anthony, Flea, Chad, and John.
Free Music Review: The Godfathers of Rap/metal and Funky Punk Rock
Hit: 5 Stars
As the godfathers of the rap/metal and funky punk rock, the Red Hot Chili Peppers have expanded their musical capabilities with each album they have so masterfully crafted. With 'By The Way', they have reverted to a more lay-back harmonizing pop approach. Like true musicians, the RHCP are not handicapped and held down by one genre and style. If it wasn't for their talent of creativity, would people still know who they were 20 year later?Anthony Kiedis, Flea, John Frusciante, and Chad Smith have all grown and matured musically since the release of their first album together, 'Mother's Milk'. This 1989 release included covers of Stevie Wonder(Higher Ground) and Jimi Hendrix(Fire). In 1991, 'Bloodsugarsexmagik'(best RHCP album) was introduced to mainstream and became a huge success with hits like "Under The Bridge" and "Give It Away". The next time this same RHCP would be together was on the 1999 'Californicatoin'. This hallmark of their career proved that they were not dead. Their music has taken a complete turn from the previous albums, and it further degresses on the latest release. Here's a rundown on the tracklist:
1. By The Way - Perfect blend of "old" and "new" school Chili Peppers. The verse has the same funky slap bass, in your face punk rap of the early RHCP albums. The melody and harmony of the chorus brings in the influence of 'Californication'. Definitely the 'hardest' song on the album.
2. Universally Speaking - Chad Smith pounds away on the snare as this song is a more relaxed and laid back track. Flea and Frusciante's background vocals harmonize perfectly with Kiedis' heart-felt singing.
3. This Is The Place - Flea's bassline runs throughout the song like a train through a tunnel. Frusciante's guitar compliments every note emotionally created by this phenomenal track.
4. Dosed - Frusciante's harp-like guitar picking emphasizes the romantic theme of this beautiful love song.
5. Don't Forget Me - Flea's bass strumming creates a melancholy mood for this deep and sorrowful song.
6. The Zephyr Song - Kiedis' exhibits a serene and sincere performance, backed by the vocal of his fellow bandmembers. The harmony is yet again what separates it apart from all other RHCP albums.
7. Can't Stop - Truly the best song on the CD. It brings back the trademark funky raps but this time it is filled with clean lyrics and a supporting vocal cast.
8. I Could Die For You - Soft, and lovely ballad.
9. Midnight - Orchestrated strings intro. Definitely a change for the RHCP, but excellent song.
10. Throw Away Your Television - Flea and Chad show their chemistry of bass and drums in this percussive jam.
11-12. Cabron/Tear - (Listen to them) very hard to recognize the RHCP if not for Kiedis' distinct voice.
13. On Mercury - This song flashes back to the "ska" era with No Doubt and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones.
14. Minor Thing - Another classic Chili Peppers with an infectious rap line.
15-16. Warm Tape/Minor Queen - These 2 concluding tracks make us wonder what direction the RHCP will take in the future.
In conclusion, this album is highly recommended to all the true fans of the RHCP or anyone who likes rock/alternative music.
Free Music Review: Change is a good thing
Hit: 5 Stars
Lately I have heard many MANY people slinging mud at the Red Hot Chili Peppers calling them everything from "sellouts" to "no fun anymore". While earlier outings such as "The Uplift Mofo Party Plan" and "Mother's Milk" are what got me into the Chili Peppers in the first place, if they were still trying to churn out the same exact funk-punk that they did in the 80's I am certain I'd be bored to tears with them by now. I relish the fact that no two Chili Peppers albums really sound the same, and even appreciate the greatly panned "One Hot Minute" for its own unique style (I certainly wouldn't have minded hearing a second album with Navarro on guitar before he took off). As far as them being sellouts...whatever. I used to be one of those brainless sheep that called every band with a hit single "sellouts" until I read Henry Rollins's "Get in the Van," where he said that Black Flag were considered sellouts for (among other things) cutting their hair, not playing every single song the audience requested, playing songs that were longer than 3 minutes, and...horror of horrors...RELEASING ALBUMS. People who accuse bands of selling out should be taken every bit as seriously as an Anna Nicole Smith film festival.This album, while maybe not as close to the typical idea of "fun" as albums where the boys rapped about sex and partying, is indeed a treasure. I'll admit I wasn't too crazy about it at first, but upon repeated listenings I found myself unable to listen to anything else for weeks. My personal favorites are the block of "This is the Place," "Dosed," and "Don't Forget Me." Other gems include the Living Colour-esque "Midnight" (seriously, imagine Corey Glover singing the chorus), the Latin-flavored "Cabron", the irresistably bouncy "On Mercury", and of course the two singles "By the Way" and "The Zephyr Song." The only thing about this album that I was a bit upset about is the fact that Flea's bass gymnastics have completely taken a back seat this time around. His contributions are much more subtle than on previous records and his breathtaking slaps and pops are sorely missed. This is an Anthony and John album all the way. But on the plus side...this is an Anthony and John album all the way! Anyone who's heard and enjoyed John's stunning 2000 solo effort "To Record Only Water For Ten Days" (easily one of the best albums of that year) knows what an unrivaled genius John is now that he's said good riddance to heroin. His sublime guitar play and experimental synth work snake their way all over this album in the aforementioned tracks and others such as "Warm Tape," "Venice Queen," and "Tear."
No fun anymore? I suppose that all depends on your idea of fun. If you're looking for something to blast at your next house party amidst kegstands and random hook-ups, look elsewhere. By the Way affects you in a much different way, but is by no means boring or not fun. Pick it up and listen to it at least twice before you pass judgment.