RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS: Return Of The Dream Canteen (ALTERNATIVE ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

But what happened to the Red Hot Chili Peppers? Six months after the release of their last double album, "Unlimited Love", they are already back with a new opus containing no less than 17 songs. The return of John Frusciante on lead guitar three years ago seems to have clearly been the trigger for this renewed inspiration. And with him, the return of a certain carefree spirit that had deserted the band for some time.

Without surprise, this "Return Of The Dream Canteen" is not a revolution compared to its predecessor. The contrary would have been surprising when we know that it comes from the same recording sessions. Maybe, it contains a little less saturation and appears to be a little calmer, almost freewheeling. The band doesn't deny it, they jammed a lot and it's certainly for this reason that sometimes the impression of finding bass lines or small gimmicks coming from already heard tracks (especially from the last album of course) is overpowering.

And it is precisely this freedom that gives this album a certain flavor. Because finally, the most "formatted" tracks are not really the best. The best example is the single 'Tippa My Tongue' opening the album, which gathers almost everything you shouldn't do. The rather interesting start with a mysterious bass line is shattered by a chorus a little bit dumb, the typical flow certainly reassures the average listener that he is listening to Red Hot Chili Peppers but it sounds mechanical and forced, or the return of the bass plan of the beginning in a break which gives to think that we are going to have a beautiful rise in power with the small roll of drums but which finally leads to nothing except an umpteenth occurrence of a chorus that we already heard too much.

'Eddie', second single, is fortunately better off even if it does not escape some frustrating pitfalls. A tribute to Eddie Van Halen, the track is rather pleasant with its bass making the melody on which some notes on John Frusciante's guitar are placed. It's a pity that the recipe is a little too classic for the Red Hot Chili Peppers and especially, even if we know that the guitarist appreciates the simple and the purified, we could have expected a little more madness and variety on the solo at the end (the limits of the improvisation?).

Apart from these two pieces, it is rather difficult to single out one track rather than another. Already there are many and unfortunately a good part of them do not take off or even appear really weak (again the limits of the improvisation?). The vocal lines as well as the lyrics of 'My Cigarette' must not have taken much time to be found as well as the chorus of cartoon credits that we hear in the well named 'la la la la'. Whoever hasn't got tired of Flea's playing (which is not my case) will appreciate the groove of 'Piece And Love' and the pop/funky 'Roulette'. Finally let's mention 'The Drummer' which should certainly be a small success thanks to its melody and rhythmic having similarities with Culture Club's 'Karma Chameleon'.

After reading the previous paragraphs, the conclusion on this "Return Of The Dream Canteen" seems obvious. We are dealing with an album that is globally failed with songs that are certainly pleasant but that we find hard to keep in memory and especially no real hit. However, after a few attentive listenings, the general impression is not so bad... It is even almost satisfying. It emerges from this album the pleasure that the members of the band have to play together, which is translated by the incessant small improvisations scattered almost everywhere that a very precise and clear production allows to discern well. It's a real pleasure to hear all these fills on the drums that are clearly executed by feeling, these little digressions on the bass, on the vocals or the few notes or guitar chords that seem to be impromptu and that add a little relief to the melodies. "Return Of The Dream Canteen" is an album that will undoubtedly speak more to musicians who are used to playing in a band adept at jamming than to fans of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and especially those of the first hour. - Official website

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS

RETURN OF THE DREAM CANTEEN

WARNER

ALTERNATIVE ROCK