I'm With You

Excellent album

The RHCP have transformed from an enthusiastic Jazz Funk outfit into a highly polished mainstream band in the most fabulous way, making some incredible music along the way. I intitially got into them when I purchased Californication, quickly followed by By the Way, which remained my favorite album for years. I didn't like Stadium Arcadium much and thought they had lost their way and when John Frusciante left the band I feared that they were spent. How wrong was I - my cousin told me to buy it and I haven't stopped listening to it since. Not a bad track on it and highly listenable, the tracks get into your head and you find yourself humming them, which invariably leads to you listening to the CD. Even if you haven't been into the RHCP before, listen to this CD, it's inexpensive (£5 on Amazon) and a very pleasant surprise was that it was available with Auto-Rip, which meant that I didn't even have to wait for it, I just downloaded it from the link sent by Amazon as soon as I had paid for it.

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!

I really wasn't sure how I'd take to this latest production of the awesome Chilis, especially after seeing it played live, streamed to a cinema. The sound is quite different to their previous work as was inevitable with the swapover of Frusciante to the new kid Josh. The first time I played it through I wasn't struck by the first two tracks, but found new resonance in the third and felt quite comfortable with the record from then on in. A week later I found myself having played it countless times over and struggling to get to grips with Keidis' complex and inspiring as ever vocals. I love the first two tracks now! The bass and drums bring joy to the soul in a world where the radio plays increasingly terrible music, and Josh's lead adds a refreshing new dynamic. If you miss Frusciante, buy his solo stuff. My perspective is that if you love this band and retain an open-mindedness, you will come to love this album. The world needs the solidarity this album brings. The world needs to hear, "I'm With You".

I've owned this album since it's release,& yes I'm a big fan of Rhcp, so feel compelled to stick up for them. I'm with you was always gonna be criticised,just like one hot minute was,because of the absence of John frusciante. Yep, John is a very talented guy(check out his solo stuff, genius stuff), but he wasn't necessarily the back bone of the band.imagine Rhcp without Anthony,now that would be crazy.And on to the album, personally I think I'm with you is a excellent piece,a very strong selection of songs. Yeah,we have some that sound similar (sort of) to past Rhcp songs(but isn't that what we love about them?),and some that still break new ground even after all these years.and what's consistent about them is meaningful music,there is no filler here & I think it's better then one hot minute.check it out,but not if your just after criticising a great band that's lost a great guitarist.life goes on.