There's truly enough warmth and good vibes to go around on Red Hot Chili Peppers' 12th full-length, Unlimited Love. Not only did the band re-form their seminal lineup, welcoming guitarist John Frusciante back into the fold after a decade-long absence, but they also reunited with longtime production guru Rick Rubin, who was swapped out for Danger Mouse on their last album, 2016's The Getaway. With the gang back together, there's a palpable joy born from the energy of four buddies just having fun in the studio. Extending ...
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There's truly enough warmth and good vibes to go around on Red Hot Chili Peppers' 12th full-length, Unlimited Love. Not only did the band re-form their seminal lineup, welcoming guitarist John Frusciante back into the fold after a decade-long absence, but they also reunited with longtime production guru Rick Rubin, who was swapped out for Danger Mouse on their last album, 2016's The Getaway. With the gang back together, there's a palpable joy born from the energy of four buddies just having fun in the studio. Extending their 2010s maturation without losing sight of their funk roots, Unlimited Love finds the Chili Peppers in jam-band mode, focusing more on sonic moods, surreal lyricism, and the journey itself, not a mainstream hit-fest like turn-of-the-millennium smashes Californication or By the Way. For tastes of that era, lead single "Black Summer" comes closest, sliding alongside "Otherside" and "Californication" on the Chili Pepper karaoke singalong list. The remaining 16 tracks can be split between body-moving funk jams and atmospheric mind-expanders, the latter of which almost always benefit from a killer Frusciante solo. Those funky cuts are showcases for Flea, whether he's dropping a bouncy bassline on the low end on "Here Ever After" or squiggling through Anthony Kiedis' elastic delivery on "Whatchu Thinkin'." To that end, Kiedis' lyrics are at their most imaginative and, sometimes, inscrutable here, like a shirtless, mustachioed Dr. Seuss (the psychedelic music history lesson "Poster Child" and engrossing storytelling on "Veronica" are two standouts). While the songs don't jump out as much as on past efforts, getting lost in the tunes is part of the appeal of Unlimited Love. From the surprise appearance of jazz horns on the slinky "Aquatic Mouth Dance" and the creeping synths on the quirky "Bastards of the Light" to the heavenly Frusciante moments that elevate otherwise average tracks, like the midtempo "Not the One" or "It's Only Natural," these unexpected flourishes perk up the proceedings and grow more endearing with each listen. For those in search of more immediate gratification, the crunchy jam "She's a Lover," bouncy singalong anthem "One Way Traffic," and uplifting "The Heavy Wing" are highlights, while "These Are the Ways" is a climactic standout, a full-bodied jolt of energy that crashes to a close with a gritty, gnashing breakdown. Despite the overall trippy and feel-good nature of the set, there's enough for fans of any past era to find an entry point and enjoy the ride. ~ Neil Z. Yeung, Rovi
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Add this copy of Unlimited Love to cart. $20.31, new condition, Sold by Revaluation Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Exeter, DEVON, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2022 by Warner Records.
Add this copy of Unlimited Love to cart. $21.23, new condition, Sold by newtownvideo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from huntingdon valley, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2022 by Warner Records.
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