Whether or not their fanbase or the band themselves are willing to acknowledge it, a lot is riding on I'm With You, the tenth album from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. It's been almost a decade since the Red Hot Chili Peppers have produced anything of substantial quality. Their last studio LP,the double-disced Stadium Arcadium, was indeed substantial- but ultimately a bloated disaster. And as long-time RHCP stalwarts Anthony Kiedis and Flea approach fifty (fifty!!), a tasteless indifference has taken the place of the band's once unpredictable west coast audacity. Furthermore, the irreplaceably brilliant John Frusciante has jumped ship with fresh-faced Josh Klinghoffer taking the reigns as lead guitarist. "The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie, the new single from I'm With You, does nothing to discourage these mitigating factors. In fact, it only hastens Red Hot Chili Peppers' steep slide into cultural irrelevance. Even during the most pedantic moments of Stadium Arcadium, I don't recall them ever sounding quite this rote. There is something unsettling and almost tragic within the boredom of "The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie". This is not the sound of seasoned musicians comfortably aging into complacency. This is what a dead band sounds like when the corporate world decides to reanimate the carcass to cash in on nostalgia. If you find that eerie, give "The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie" a spin*. Then light a candle and immediately go listen to Blood Sugar Sex Magik.*could the chorus be any more awkward??
UPDATE: The YouTube link has been taken down for the next few days until the song is officially released in all it's mundane glory. But for those who can't wait, it can be found streaming here.
OFFICIAL TRACKLISTING:
Monarchy of Roses
Factory of Faith
Brendan’s Death Song
Ethiopia
Annie Wants a Baby
Look Around
The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie
Did I Let You Know
Goodbye Hooray
Happiness Loves Company
Police Station
Even You Brutus?
Meet Me at the Corner
Dance, Dance, Dance
- Fr. Jones
Monarchy of Roses
Factory of Faith
Brendan’s Death Song
Ethiopia
Annie Wants a Baby
Look Around
The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie
Did I Let You Know
Goodbye Hooray
Happiness Loves Company
Police Station
Even You Brutus?
Meet Me at the Corner
Dance, Dance, Dance
- Fr. Jones
For a guy who seems so adventurous (The Mars Volta, Atoms For Peace, Back to the Future 2), I am always surprised that Flea's day job is this.
ReplyDeleteWell-played, sir.
ReplyDeleteAnd for a band with a new guitarist, they sure seem reluctant to show him off. He is buried so far in the mix!
ReplyDeleteIt's a decent song compared to half the crap out today
ReplyDeleteI will admit that the song has grown on me slightly. I still think it's a piss poor choice for a single from an album that is a slight rebound.
ReplyDelete