ALBUM REVIEW: “I’m With You” by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Red Hot Chili Peppers
I’m With You
[Warner Brothers Records]

Many of us have known of Red Hot Chili Peppers for most of our lives. From “Under the Bridge” to “Californiacation” to their newest single “The Adventure of Rain Dance Maggie,” the band brings California groovy rock to the table time and time again.

Their latest release, I’m With You, is your typical Red Hot Chili Peppers album. Jam sessions, slow rocker ballads, and guitar riffs galore, this album is just what you’d expect from the band. Things start with pounding drums and echoing vocals in “Monarchy of Roses.” For the chorus, things become a slightly electro rock clash combining older Red Hot Chili Peppers songs like “Suck My Kiss” with newer tracks like “The Zephyr Song” into one. “Factory of Faith” is fun. The song is an electric trip that starts off sounding a bit like “All My Life” by the Foo Fighters. You’ll find yourself incapable of not bouncing around to the track. Not something you’d expect from these SoCal rockers but somehow it still works for them. Another standout on the album is “Ethiopia.” One of the slower jam sessions many look to the RHCP to bring, the track involves many bouts of “e-i-e-i-e-i-a” spelling. While it might seem a bit silly, these breaks provide the perfect balance to sick guitar riffs and rhythms.

I’m With You is an album you should pick up. Perfect for the last days of summer, this is the album to spin on your way back from the beach on Labor Day weekend or even on your way to a Halloween party in October. Get it while it’s still hot!