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The Red Hot Chili Peppers made a strange and unlikely transition some 20 years ago or so, going from an alternative band of the clear insurgent variety to one whose music is not only palatable, but extremely well received by the PG public. It was instigated by the success of their single “Californication” and its mellow, un-threatening lilt, leading to subsequent sales which have now totalled over 80 million records. Having consolidated their line up with Anthony Kiedis on vocals, Flea on bass, drummer Chad Smith and relative recent enrolee Josh Klinghoffer on guitar, The Chili Peppers are hotter than ever and clearly on a roll.
It’s not surprising then that The Getaway is such an obvious commercial contender. The trademark elements remain — the patented groove, the smooth glossy sheen that reflects their innate appeal, the occasional brash staccato — all of which finds the new album effectively distilling these ingredients to effectively expound on their earlier efforts.
The back to back combination of “The Longest Wave” and “Goodbye Angels” bring to mind the aforementioned glide of “Californication” in tone as well as temperament, while the funk frenzy of the title track and “We Turn Red” recall the Chili Peppers in their prime. Surprisingly, the opening riff “Feating on Flowers” actually brings to mind an ancient Jethro Tull tune lifted from the Benefit album, just as their ominous ode to “Detroit” boasts what sounds like Led Zeppelin’s guitar wallop from “Immigration Song.” Interesting indeed.
Other unlikely additives also come into play. The grooving “Sick Love” features a co-write from Elton John (who plays piano on the track as well) and Bernie Taupin, borrowing a melody from “Benny and the Jets.” Strings and an occasional choir add depth to the mix, just as the longing look back echoed throughout “Encore” (“Listen to the sound of the Beatles and the sound of laughing Ed McMahon”) is nicely nostalgic in a twisted sort of way.
All in all, the band deserves kudos for maturing in such a way as to further their sound, keeping their essential style while freely experimenting with it at the same time. Suffice it to say, The Getaway may be their best bit of ballyhoo yet.
2 Responses
The Zeppelin tune mentioned is “The Immigrant Song”, not “The Immigration Song.”
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