RHCP have roared back with their first album including John Frusciante since 2006’s ‘Stadium Archadium.’ And thank the powers that be. Because having Frusciante back just feels right. It feels complete. And the Red Hot Chili Peppers finally sound like they’re getting back to themselves.
If there was ever a more appropriate successor to Hillel Slovak, it’s John Frusciante. Slovak’s protege and biggest admirer. Frusciante immediately fit right in with the Chili Peppers. And along with incoming drummer Chad Smith, they formed what is now considered the classic line up. Releasing what’s without question the bands most commercially successful output. Through the years he would come and go. The first departure found the band discovering a more harder edge with replacement Dave Navarro. The second in 2009 found the band writing weak, indie style pop rock. Which, to be fair, was already kind of a part of the chili’s evolving sound.
However, they always had remnants of being ‘Red Hot’ with Frusciante. And with him back in the fold, RHCP are the most ‘Red Hot’ they’ve been in over a decade. The new album ‘Unlimited Love’ is the most return to form they’ve ever done. The funk jazz of ‘Aquatic Mouth Dance’ is the freshest RHCP have been in one hot minute (pun intended). The horns provide a creative layer while Flea brings in his old school, complex bass work. ‘Poster Child’ is ultimate Chili Peppers. A track that could fit right in with any of their 90’s golden era material. Sure, it’s not quite as aggressive. But some of the band members are pushing 60. So it’s understandable that they wouldn’t be quite as insane as they used to be.
The lead off track and first single, ‘Black Summer,’ is more in tune with the bands indie, melodic side. But it still contains that little bit of magic that these four musicians make. ‘Here Ever After’ is bleeding with those RHCP Cali vibes. Complete with an arena ready drum drive. ‘Not the One’ is a classic Chilis style ballad. ‘The Great Apes’ reeks of the ‘By the Way’ era. ‘She’s A Lover’ is the funkiest the band has sounded since ‘Blood, Sugar.’ While still retaining what makes RHCP sound current. The front half of the album closes with ‘These Are the Ways.’ A big stadium ready track chock full of alternative, SoCal vibes. It just makes you want to hit Venice beach for the day and discover the social climate.
The back half of the album is full of much the same. ‘Whatchu Thinkin” is a near perfect combination of the Chili’s melodic and funk side. Molded seamlessly together as one. ‘Bastards of Light’ is a slightly misleading song title. As the track is one of the softest and most pop oriented pieces RHCP have ever done. ‘White Braids & Pillow Chair’ take those elements of the band even further. Then it’s a return to traditional Red Hotness with ‘One Way Traffic.’ ‘Veronica’ is a spacey, trippy ballad recalling the late 60’s SoCal moods that made the area so popular. ‘Let ‘Em Cry’ is in a similar vein to ‘Whatchu Thinkin’.’ ‘The Heavy Wing’ brings in a weighted landscape. Mostly with the mood and chord progression. As opposed to shear funk heaviness. While the final track ‘Tangelo’ eases the listener into a gentle ending.
Overall, ‘Unlimited Love’ is a more than welcome return to the more traditional sound of the Chili Peppers. Not only that, but its arrival couldn’t be more prudent. In a world of increasingly unauthentic music. Where pop and electronica are pumped out with mindless dissonance. Killing authentic musicianship one mercilessly promoted single at a time. The Chilis, whether their intentions were to or not, are fighting back with their new album ‘Unlimited Love.’ Which has just knocked Machine Gun Kelly off of the number one slot. It’s great having John Frusciante back in the band. And ‘Unlimited Love’ is the proof that he is the lone guitarist for the band. Four out of five stars.
