Red Hot Chili Peppers Return To Music With An Explosion On The Rock Charts
Billboard Magazine has released some chart highlights to give us a peak at what artists are making things happen in the coming week. After combing through the different music styles, seeing names as diverse as Britney Spears, Adele, Barry Manilow, and Foster The People, the band that stood out the most was the 28 year old, Red Hot Chili Peppers. The vet Rockers have returned to the scene strong with their latest single “The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie”, and although the song marks the longest amount of time the band has gone between albums , it’s clear they didn’t miss a beat. Leaked to radio nearly a week earlier than its expected release, “The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie” was embraced without hesitation, and fast tracked to the top of the Rock charts. It is a funky addition to the Peppers’ sound that fans have grown to love,
“The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie” represents the blend of old and new that correlates as an underlying theme of their new album, I’m With You. I’m WIth You is the first album that includes the work of guitarist Josh Klinghoffer, following the departure of long time Peppers member, John Frusciante. It appears that the injection of Klinghoffer served as an opportunity for the entire band to take a fresh look at their already established sound. This was indicated by drummer Chad Smith who was quoted as saying, “this is a new band. Same name, but it’s a new band.”
Agreeing with that sentiment, bassist Flea added, “it’s just like a very … meaningful and rejuvenating rebirth for us.”
That rebirth was then guided by the trusted collaboration of legendary producer Rick Rubin. Rubin is already known for protecting and evolving the Peppers’ sound successfully in the past from his work on their career defining albums, Blood Sugar Sex Magik in 1991, and One Hot Minute in 1995. His collaboration with the band was significant. Rubin took his diverse knowledge of musical experience, and used it to find and fine tune a more well rounded sound that The Peppers are known for today.
For example, Rubin is credited in having a direct creative guidance in the making of “Under The Bridge”. This is because he famously encouraged Peppers’ lead singer Anthony Kiedis to covert a personal poem of reflection into a song. That song went on to become one of their biggest and most poignantly expressed hits. This is important to note when discussing their reunion this many years later because history is repeating itself.
Rubin’s initial efforts with the band helped them conquer the challenge of evolving from a cult favorite, in to a cross over hit with multi-platinum status. Now that they are rebounding from taking such a break, Red Hot Chili Peppers could once again be at a crossroads. Facing the facts , the career of Red Hot Chili Peppers has lasted longer than some of their contemporary peers actual lives. Not only do they have the internal challenge of adding a new member to their established chemistry, but they are also faced with the task of remaining relevant to a musical landscape that has evolved drastically.
Their prestige and talent is going to creates high expectations for both them and Rubin. Being aware of that fact will hopefully make the success of their release as sweet for them as it is interesting to all of us. Take a listen to “The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie” below and see what you think Red Hot Chili Pepper’s latest album I’m With You is scheduled for release on August 26th.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
“The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie”
Warner Bros Records
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Red Hot Chili Peppers
“Under The Bridge”
Warner Bros Records
