Released: 2011

Genres: Alternative Rock, Funk Rock, Pop Rock

The Musiquarium’s I’m With You Review Score: 4 out of 10

After his return to Red Hot Chili Peppers on 1999’s Californication, which lead to a commercial and critical resurgence for the band, John Frusciante recorded two more albums with the L.A. funk rockers (2002’s By the Way and 2006’s Stadium Arcadium), before once again parting ways. A replacement guitarist was found in Josh Klinghoffer, who had toured with the band in support of Stadium Arcadium, but could he fill the shoes left by the indispensable Frusciante?

Monarchy of Roses is one of the better songs here, sounding like a mix between One Hot Minute‘s Warped and a disco song, though it pales in comparison to recent openers like Dani California and By the Way. The intention behind Brendan’s Death Song is admirable, but the song itself just lacks the same emotional gravitas of other ballads like Under the Bridge or Scar Tissue.

Anthony Kiedis’ lyrics on The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie contribute to making it one of the band’s weakest singles in a long time (e.g. “Tic-toc, I want to rock you like the ’80s, cock-blocking isn’t allowed”) — the cowbell also sounds tacky as hell. There’s plenty of competent funk rockers, but nothing actually leaves any sort of impression or impact. The last half of the album really stumbles, with the stretch from Happiness Loves Company to Dance, Dance, Dance being quite middling, particularly the former track and Even You Brutus?

Where the Frusciante-less One Hot Minute was at least somewhat unique (though still pretty mediocre), I’m With You just feels directionless and meandering, veering too close for comfort into pop and dance rock, as the band fights an existential crisis and tries to piece itself back together without Frusciante and his magic touch. Flea and Chad Smith are still a solid (if predictable) rhythm section as usual, and while Josh Klinghoffer’s guitar playing is competent enough, his playing feels more like an accent than a foundation for the music.

I’m With You is a drop-off in quality from the band’s Frusciante albums, which proves just how crucial he was to the band’s success and to their sound. I’m With You isn’t one of the worst albums I’ve ever heard, but it manages to be even more of a slog to sit through than the average Red Hot Chili Peppers album.

For credit breakdowns and historic release details, view Red Hot Chili Peppers on Discogs.

Back to the 2011 Album Guide or the Red Hot Chili Peppers Reviews page.

Written by Brett Nippard