The planet does another revolution...

PLEASE NOTE: This review was actually written and published on Monday 5th September - I have no idea why it is being displayed as Monday 29th August! Stupid blogger - LA.

The 10th album by the Red Hot Chili Peppers has been floating around the internet now for almost 2 weeks, but I decided to pretend I was 12 again and wait for the CD to hit the shops before I indulged myself in my most beloved band's latest full length album, meaning I only heard "I'm With You" in full as of last Monday. The Red Hot Chili Peppers are a band that have a huge and devout international following due to their worldwide success that they have rightfully earned over the years, but they still have a lot of haters. Due to their enormous fanbase and huge, arena-filling status, a lot of people believe they have lost credibility because they manage to appeal to the masses. Well, a lot of people are fucking idiots.

Every review of this album will go on about the departure of the absolute motherfucking genius guitar prodigy enigma that is Mr. John Frusciante and the subsequent welcoming of his apprentice Josh Klinghoffer, but we already know this, so on with the verdict.

I'll be honest, despite being a RHCP fanboy, I was a little anxious in the months building up to the 29th August 2011. But this is how I feel with the new release of any band I like or love, because I don't want them to screw it all up. And I can safely say that my anxiety has diminished and left me feeling relieved and justified in why I love these guys so much. Three out of the four members are pushing 50 and yet they still have more talent and energy than pretty much any other band around. And this album displays a slight change in direction, likely thanks to the addition of Josh.

First and foremost, he is the new RHCP guitarist, but also contributes keyboards and AMAZING backing vocals to the mix. I was expecting him to merely emulate John's beautiful falsetto melodies, but he doesn't, and displays such a strong, unusual and androgynous voice of his own. In songs such as "Meet Me at The Corner" and "Dance, Dance, Dance" his voice sounds angelic and ethereal, and creates a dream-like atmosphere in an otherwise funky and poignant record. His presence is subtle at times, and at others incredibly overstated, whether by a crunchy chorus riff or a a red hot guitar jam that can appear at any moment. I've watched a couple of live videos on YouTube and his stage presence is so refreshing. He's like an excited puppy equipped with a Stratocaster and more skill than any of the "indie" wankers you'll read about in NME. And the best thing is, it looks as though he doesn't even know it. There is no pomp or arrogance about him in the press or in interviews whatsoever. Give the boy a prize.

But its not only Josh that shines, as Flea gets his mojo back in "I'm With You". Throughout "Stadium Arcadium" Flea was mostly drowned out by Frusciante's megalomaniacal guitar solos, which was a shame as he is clearly the best funk bass player in the world. In this album he displays his creativity with some of his most memorable and instantly catchy basslines in years. He, along with Chad Smith, drives the album and carries the songs with an unmatchable pace and intensity, and is given way more freedom as the songs are no longer being dominated by the almighty force that is John, and are instead being complimented and painted with Josh's textural guitar overtones. This time round, his bass parts really fuel the songs. Together, Flea and Chad are unstoppable, and show that they are one of the most powerful and locked-in rhythm sections on the planet. Add to this Flea's piano work (a result of his enrolment on a music theory course at the University of Southern California) and its clear for all to see that the man formerly known as Michael Balzary has been a busy lad.

It wouldn't be fair to talk about the album without praising the band's chief lyricist, Kiedis, and he definitely deserves a pat on the back for his vocals in this album. There are some wonderful, uplifting choruses and his voice really boasts its power, especially in songs like "Police Station" and the bittersweet "Brendan's Death Song" (about the band's close friend Brendan Mullen) which show that the Chili Peppers can still write great fucking ballads alongside their groovier offerings. His most affecting words, contextually speaking, are probably in "Ethiopia" (another great Flea moment) when he sings: "tell my boy I love him so, tell him so he knows" about his young son Everly Bear, as he has constantly expressed his life-changing experience of raising his firstborn since his birth in 2007.

Many of the songs on "I'm With You" could be great singles, but the album as a whole flows very well and doesn't really have any weak points. However I am always going to have a biased opinion of the band because I love them more than I can put into words. Gayyy. However I would love for "Look Around" to be the next single after "The Adventures of Raindance Maggie" because its extremely infectious and sounds superb live.

Overall, "I'm With You" presents a wiser, mellowed Red Hot Chili Peppers but blends that with the image of a band that can truly rock your (cock)socks off like they did in the good old days, and can continue to write great rock/funk/pop or whatever the hell you want to try and brand it with. It offers a band that have been through many of rock'n'roll's cliches only to emerge on the other side, stronger and more original than before, and looks at life, death and rebirth in a way that only they can.