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The Red Hot Chili Peppers "Get On Top" with Album Unlimited Love
The funk rock masters have returned for their first release since 2016's The Getaway. The album features Anthony Kiedis, Flea, Chad Smith, and John Frusciante, along with producer Rick Rubin. Earlier this year, the group released the first single for the album "Black Summer," which was noteworthy for being their first music released with guitarst John Frusciante in well over a decade. What is undeniably the greatest part of listening to the Chili Peppers is the musical chemistry found between Frusciante and Flea on guitar and bass respectively.
While other bands would have the bassist sit back while the guitarist or vocalist wales incoherently, the Peppers have a fluid musical conversation between the two instruments. Above the musical noodling of the instrumentalists, Anthony Kiedis shows off lyrics that range from heart-wrenching to gut-busting. He has a peculiar talent for giving complete
and utter nonsense more meaning. The lyrical themes on "Unlimited Love" were influenced heavily by the past events of COVID-19.
The particular standout songs on this album are the rapid fire "Poster Child," the beautiful "Here After Ever," and the exhilirating "She's A Lover." Despite the massive gap in time between their last release with Frusciante (2006's Stadium Arcadium), it feels as though no time has passed between this music. Frusciante's backup vocals in particular made their triumphant return. Their absence was especially noteworthy, and all in all, Unlimited Love is a perfect return-to-form for the Californian rockers, especially after their two records before were somewhat lackluster.
By: Kevin Caffrey '23
Final Rating: 9/10