Released: 2016

Genres: Alternative Rock, Funk Rock, Pop Rock

The Musiquarium’s The Getaway Review Score: 6 out of 10

With 2011’s I’m With You, John Frusciante’s absence from Red Hot Chili Peppers was definitely felt, with what was easily their least memorable album in years. Replacement guitarist Josh Klinghoffer played more than adequately, but he was still missing that special ingredient that Frusciante had brought into the mix — his playing was more passive, but as the new guy, standing in the shadow of a giant and playing with global superstars, it’s certainly understandable to not want to overstep yourself.

Frusciante is still nowhere to be found on The Getaway, though Klinghoffer has settled into his groove, with a particularly blissful guitar performance on the title track. Dark Necessities is another of the best tracks here, with some groovy slap bass from Flea and a darker musical atmosphere than usual. The rest of the album mostly contains the same funk rock that R.H.C.P. has been honing for 30 odd years, and sounds more confident than I’m With You, but it still doesn’t quite reach the same highs as anything with Frusciante.

The Getaway is also the first Red Hot Chili Peppers album not produced by Rick Rubin since Mother’s Milk, making it their first album in 25 years without the barefoot sage’s guidance. As it seemed like the band was getting complacent with Rubin (whose production did hold back some of their best songs), a new producer seemed like a good idea, and Danger Mouse does a fairly solid job here.

Red Hot Chili Peppers are still lost without John Frusciante, but The Getaway is an improvement over its predecessor, if even just marginally-so.

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

Back to the 2016 Album Guide or the Red Hot Chili Peppers Reviews page.

Written by Brett Nippard