The Red Hot Chili Peppers have been a major household name for a long time now. They are creeping ever so slightly into that “throwback/classic rock” category with hits from the 90’s, such as “Give It Away” and “Aeroplane.”
Red Hot Chili Peppers style has always been distinctive, and the vocal style of frontman Anthony Kiedis is always unmistakable.
They have created a groove throughout their entire catalogue of material that is solely based on the extraordinary talents of bassist Flea; and although drummer Chad Smith is not the strongest of percussionists, he can hold his own. Former guitarist John Frusciante established a strong atmospheric and psychedelic rock element that propelled their songs into other dimensions.
All of RHCP’s previous albums have had standout tracks that are unforgettable and timeless, and combined with their free spirit image, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are still relevant whether you care or not.
The title track of The Getaway is so funky it hurts.
It is relaxed and chill, and more of Kiedis’ love laden lyrics are present and inundated with innuendo. Surprise surprise, right?! An attempt to attract the youth, or just a staple of what overtakes his lyric book? I think we all know. This song is solid, and it has always been nice to know that RHCP do not need to push fast to create good songs. They have a natural ability to let a song flow so fluidly, you almost have to love it because it is in sync with your bloodstream.
“Dark Necessities” you have probably already heard on your radio at least ten times, but Flea shows that his fingers are far from feeble. Pop pop pop goes that bass, and you really cannot help but groove and sway! The melody of the chorus is as smooth as you can get in funky pop music.
“We Turn Red” starts out with a slamming drum beat, and I think I am hearing some Beastie Boys echoed here! Kiedis is busting out his rapping ability, and it works well as usual, especially as the beautiful chorus plants the melody into the middle of this urban beat street track.
On the song “The Longest Wave” things slow down and it seems that this is the song that shows RHCP’s love for ballads of a different nature.
The groove and melody are there with a load of lyrical crooning and wonderment. Bring your lighter if you see them live this year! Not your cell phone. Remain vintage.
“Goodbye Angels” may be more of a rock and roll song for the Peppers, but it definitely rocks with a sweet fast groove. It has some trippy guitar parts that create a very cool and vast atmosphere. Kiedis sings about love and death, and sings “Suicide is never gonna save you…” Flea again shows off his lead bass chops, and this song ends in some awesome chaos which proves that these boys still got it when it comes to dropping some serious heavy in the funk rock world they thrive in.
“Sick Love” is pretty good. Girls will like it. “Go Robot” is also super cool. I am hoping a song like this will be another single. That bass!
The opening riff on “Detroit” is infectious. The song definitely sounds like Detroit, and the lyrics paint that picture very well. Hope within hopelessness, and a tone that captures it all so well.
Track ten “This Ticonderoga” sounds like it is a funk/punk song straight out of the 80’s. Did they dig this out of the vault and stick it on this record just for fun? You never know, but I feel like I am hearing this as the credits roll to Charlie’s Angels.
With “Encore” we get back to the soul and sound-theme of this album. Listen to this one on late night drives. You’ll thank me if you do. “The Hunter” incorporates some ivory keys into the verse and takes a different turn, but definitely interesting.
The last song on The Getaway is “Dreams Of A Samurai.” Once again we hear a beautiful piano intro, and then the bass grooves in.
“Standing naked in the kitchen…” Kiedis is taking us into his world, and we all can be reminded that the Red Hot Chili Peppers haven’t changed a bit; they have simply matured, become fathers, and have always stayed true to their roots.
The Getaway is exactly the album that the RHCP needed at this point in their 30+ year career.
It holds together all their strengths, explores a little bit of newer ground, and stays cohesive enough to be listened to over and over again. Middle age has not slowed these vintage rockers down one bit, and I hope that those of us who are children of the 80s/90s are grateful for that. In a year where we have sadly lost so many of our heroes and idols, it is such a blessing to be getting new music from pioneers like the Chili Peppers!
Good music too, as I am happy to give The Getaway a solid 4/5.