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Year in Rock 2011 Nominee: Red Hot Chili Peppers

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS
Brendan's Death Song

From: I'm With You
Released: August 30

When you've been both as innovative and successful as Red Hot Chili Peppers have been in their close to 30-year career, making a new album can be a somewhat tricky proposition.  On one hand, there's a desire to continue to push the envelope; having been one of rock's most unique success stories, their inherent weirdness is one of the things that enamor them to so many people.  On the other hand, there's immense pressure not to go too far off the grid; the last time they did so (1995's oft-overlooked One Hot Minute), it was considered by many to be a colossal failure simply because it was different.  Granted, much of the credit for that album's perceived sea change falls on the departure of guitar phenom John Frusciante; indeed, when he returned for the 1999 follow-up Californication, it was welcomed with open arms by fans and critics alike.  The criticism of the band since then has been that, though they have dabbled in new styles (most notably on 2003's By the Way), they've largely chosen to play it safe in their musical choices (most notably on 2006's sprawling, 28-song soundalike Stadium Arcadium).

So, when Frusciante left the band for a second time, the Chilis saw an opportunity to tinker with their sound again for I'm With You.  New axeman Josh Klinghoffer brings with him a built-in catalyst for change, and the tones he brings to the fold are noticibly sparser than Frusciante's.  He can still bring the funk though, and shows flourishes that recall Frusciante's best moments sporadically throughout the album.  However, RHCP don't try to reinvent the wheel on I'm With You; they seem to be right up on the edge of the box, but most of the time choose not to venture outside of it.

When they do, though, the results can be astounding, as they are on Brendan's Death Song.  Born out of a jam session the band had the day they learned of a good freind's passing, it absolutely soars.  It's raw, emotional and organic, three things which one can argue the Chilis haven't been in a very long time.  It's the hands-down highlight of an album that would rather continue their recent history of inoffensiveness than continue to cement a career built on innovation.

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