In the time since their last album, Stadium Arcadium, the Chili Peppers’ maverick guitarist and song-smith, John Frusciante waved goodbye and was replaced by Josh Klinghoffer, while bassist, Flea, studied music theory. I’m With You is a mixed bag of competent but tired funk grooves occasionally interrupted by interesting stylistic departures. Frusciante’s absence is felt in some patchy song structures and a lack of substantial hooks. Opening track, Monarchy of Roses is a building ominous tom-beat, fuzz guitar dirge, periodically interrupted by a ridiculous disco-funk chorus, ruining the building sense of excitement. Klinghoffer does a mean Frusciante guitar impression when needed but also brings a more textured approach as heard on stand out track Police Station. Keidis, as usual, lets the team down, as on Factory of Faith, yet another disco workout, where he literally sounds like Baby Cakes, the Brad Neely created web-cartoon man-child. A highlight is Brendon’s Death Song, one of the only songs where everyone, including Keidis, seems focused and coherent, as it builds to anthemic proportions. I’m with You is another overly loud, over-compressed comeback album (remember Californication). It is not an instant classic but it does surprise on occasion and shows hints of what this legendary band was.
REVIEW: Nic Roos
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