Mick Jagger once said he didn't want to be playing "Satisfaction" when he was 40. As Jerry Hall will tell you, the man's a liar. Some bands age gracefully, while others, well, don't, refusing to admit that they can't continue to make the same music album after album. After all the Red Hot Chili Peppers have been through in their 17 year history, with nine albums, seven guitarists, and four drummers, you might think that they'd have trouble aging. You'd be wrong.
The Chili Peppers' previous album, Californication, was a commercial success, but for an old school fan, the album rang hollow. The band had always blended together punk, funk and pop, but it seemed on Californication that the band had convinced themselves they'd never heard of George Clinton, nevermind having had an album produced by him. Something was missing, and the album felt like it was made by a band feeling the pressure of the enormous expectations for the album. 12 million records makes a difference. With nothing to prove, the Chili Peppers have finally made the beautifully crafted pop album they were always capable of.
If Californication sounded like it was missing something, By The Way sounds like it's got everything. It's not the funkiest album the Peppers have made, but the funk is back, along with a new set of musical influences. Perhaps the first that comes to mind are the Beach Boys or Beatles: the album has a jangly, orchestrated, pop feel. There are more varied influences as well. "Throw Away Your Television" has cheesy lyrics, but the music is a soulful trip through Fela Kuti's "Afrobeat." "On Mercury" is a Fishbone-esque ska-romp. Then there's "Cabron," with a Latin beat and a melody out of Grease.
The wider range of musical influences certainly makes this album different, but what make it unique in the Peppers' catalog is a shift in band dynamics. Guitarist John Frusciante has emerged as the focal point of the music, giving the album the much airier, feel of his two solo albums. The "Zephyr Song," the album's next single, is a great pop song, showcasing Frusciante's talents on guitar, synthesizer and backing vocals.
There are some low points, however. The true musical talent of the band shines through on the album, which is a good thing for Frusciante, and the rhythm section of the band -- bassist Flea and drummer Chad Smith (who are, as always, spectacular but subtle) -- but it's bad for Anthony Kiedis. His lackluster voice may have improved, but his lyrics are getting worse. "Steak knife/card shark/cow job/boot cut?" Come on, dude... And on a 68 minute album, there are bound to be some mediocre songs, like "Warm Tape."
In the end, By The Way is not what we've come to expect from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and this may surprise some die-hards, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
