Last year, I posted a Jason’s Jukebox article where I rated each Red Hot Chili Peppers album, starting with their debut and ending with what was their most recent album at the time, I’m Beside You. Since that time, the Red Hot Chili Peppers have signed on a new producer, Danger Mouse (whose real name is Brian Joseph Burton). Danger Mouse has also worked with Ceelo Green (as part of the band Gnarls Barkley) and produced the Gorillaz’s album Demon Days.
Danger Mouse actually seems like a good fit for the Chili Peppers. He’s a bit different from Rick Rubin, but he’s helped the band evolve. He helps them keep the funky sound we know them for, but he adds a nice edge that’s his own. Most notable is Joshua Klinghoffer’s riffs. Now that we’ve moved further from John Frusciante’s tenure with the band, Klinghoffer can finally shine, which he had trouble with on I’m Beside You. Flea shows off more prowess by playing piano prominently on “Dark Necessities”, as well as several other tracks. (He played trumpet on “Taste The Pain” on their Mother’s Milk album) The great Elton John himself guest stars as pianist on “Sick Love”.
While I can’t say this was an excellent album, I would say it’s worth a listen. I’m giving it 3 1/2 stars.
Track Listing:
- “The Getaway” *****
- “Dark Necessities” *****
- “We Turn Red” ** 1/2
- “The Longest Wave”**
- “Goodbye Angels” **
- “Sick Love” ****
- “Go Robot” **
- “Feasting On the Flowers” *
- “Detroit” ****
- “This Ticonderoga”**
- “Encore”**
- “The Hunter”**
- “Dreams of a Samurai”***1/2
Next month, I’ll be presenting my annual “Favorite Covers” post.
Aspie Catholic 