Unlimited Love Review

I would kill to have that neon sign hung up in my room.

Date Of Release: April 1, 2022

Red Hot Chili Peppers are an alternative rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1983. The band's members consist of: (Most famous line up/ Unlimited Love lineup)

• Anthony Kiedis (Lead Vocals)
• Michael "Flea" Balzary (Bass)
• Chad Smith (Drums)
• John Frusciante (Guitarist)

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With over 100 million records sold worldwide, RHCP are one of the best-selling bands of all time. They are also the most successful band in the history of alternative rock, with records such as: Most number-one singles (14), most cumulative weeks at number one (85 weeks), and most top-ten songs (25) on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. They have won six Grammys Awards, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012, and just very recently, were given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Their music incorporates elements of Alternative rock, Funk, Punk rock, and Psychedelic rock. Creating a unique sound unlike anything else that was being played at the time. You could literally throw on any RHCP song and immediately recognize it as them. They also have a consistency to show love to their home state of California in their music, so much so that it's become a meme.

Red Hot Chili Peppers are band I got exposed to in my late years of middle school, specifically around 7th grade. When I first heard them I remember loving their unique sound, it was rock but with funk injected into it's bloodstream. At the time I had a lot of their biggest hits on my playlist at the time, songs like: Californication, Otherside, Scar Tissue, Around the World, and Snow (Hey Oh), just to name a few, were songs that would often play.

Last year I also listened to two of their albums. Those being, Californication, and Stadium Arcadium. Both albums I love dearly. So as you can see RHCP has a sort of special place in my heart, even if I don't listen to them very often nowadays. When news broke out that they were going to be releasing a new album on the first of April, I was interested and decided to check it out.

That brings us to today's review of Unlimited Love. An album that starts off great only to be stopped in it's tracks by a couple of bad apples. Of course this album is pretty lengthy but RHCP are no stranger to release long albums, this one isn't that long though.

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Songs

Black Summer
Starting the album off with the first single that was released. This is a great song to start the album off with and as always, shows you what you're about to get into. Unlike past albums this one has a more laid-back and chill atmosphere to it. This song captures that perfectly. The guitar solo is amazing and the bass is great (Flea is the goat). That's not to say the whole song is relaxing, it gets heavy when it feels right, particularly around the chorus. Overall phenomenal song.

Here Ever After
Moving on to Here Ever After, this song is set a much quicker place as the last song. The drums on this song sound great, like if they were bouncing around. It sounds even cooler because it melts into the Bass line making it sound like this big booming wall of sound. Anthony's vocals are fun on this song and lyric wise this song is pretty funny. I can imagine a couple on a road trip in the American Southwest getting into ridiculous situations when this song plays. All in all a fun and cool song.

Aquatic Mouth Dance
Aquatic Mouth Dance features an amazing bass line coming from Flea, really the bass is the star of this track. This song in general leans more towards the funk side of things as well as Jazz. The harmonizing vocals along with the brass instruments and the piano at the chorus sound awesome too. Very fun song, lyrically this song is oddly reminiscent of RHCP's origins all the way through to their album Mother's Milk. Throwing out references to their past and hardships they've overcome.

Not The One
The last single to be released from this album. Not The One once again dives into a laid-back and relaxing atmosphere, albeit with a touch more melancholy inserted. A piano is also brought it for this song and gives this song a nice touch. The electric guitar also uses a very unique sounding pedal that only strengthens the vibe this song goes for. Anthony's singing is soft and beautiful, just like the lyrics.

This song is about someone finding out that the person they love isn't what they thought they were. Upon the other person realizing this, they sing about how they would change and do just about anything to get them back into their life.

Despite all that though I can't help but dislike this song, it's pretty boring. It also doesn't help that the previous song was so much better and way more fun. It just feels off switching gears so suddenly.

Poster Child
The second single to be released for this album, Poster Child is a straight up funk song. This also features Anthony rapping the lyrics, only exception being the chorus. The bass and drums are pretty good on this song too. I also like the many references that fill up the lyrics, they cover pop culture icons as well as iconic bands.

I do though take issue with the vocals, after a while I grew tired of listening to the way they were being sung. It also doesn't help that this song goes on for way too long and could've benefited from being two minutes shorter. Other than that it's pretty cool.

The Great Apes
Next on up, The Great Apes is a moderate tempo song. Electric guitars on this song come in with guns blazing, shredding out these awesome sounding chords. The bass as always is great, so are the drums. I don't have much else to say about this song. It's alright, kind of boring to be honest. I often skip it.

It's Only Natural
Flea's bass kicks things off with a funky rhythm to nod your head to. This song reminds me heavily of one of their biggest hits Dark Necessities, kind of moody yet has a bouncy bass line. This song doesn't get crazy and it doesn't need to, I'm completely fine with how chill it is. The electric guitars and bass work together to bring in the atmosphere. The light percussion is also a nice touch. Anthony's vocals are perfect for this song.

Lyrically this song is a love story between two popular opposite people. She did ballet and he was a punk...just kidding. In truth though, the girl is a daddies girl, the pride of Brixton, London. While the guy is from the Southend, he doesn't smile much but he sure can fight. Despite how different they are they can't help but love each other very much. A sweet and romantic song overall.

She's a Lover
Bringing the funk back on the table, She's a Lover picks up the pace, tempo wise. Anthony's line delivery on this song is smooth and at times unpredictable, which makes this song fun to listen to. The bass and electric guitar sound loose and relaxed, if that makes sense. This song is just plain fun in a nutshell.

These Are The Ways
When this song first starts playing you start thinking to yourself, "Okay another slow song, got it". Before you know it the drums start thundering and rolling, taking all the other instruments with them. After which it reaches a grand crescendo before going back to it's original state. I've stated before how much I love it when songs subvert your expectations. The electric guitars are neat on this track as well. This song also has a great ending where everybody is giving it their all and the song gets heavy.

Whatchu Thinkin'
Flea's bass once again starts this song off and yeah, it's catchy alright. Unlike his other bass lines however this one is palm muted, giving it a nice tone. This whole song feels as if it's bouncing. Anthony even manages to make his vocals bounce along to the song. The drums are especially great on this song. The electric guitars are awesome too, that little solo towards the end gets way up there on the pitch but doesn't make your ears bleed.

Bastards of Light
One of the most unique songs off the album. This song incorporates synthesizers, it immediately makes it's presence known at the start of the song. The synthesizers make this whole song sound very alien like whenever they play. The acoustic guitar gets introduced as well and sounds great. Anthony's vocals towards the end are dipped in a filter that make it sound like it's coming out of a radio, the song gets heavy around that part as well, which is awesome.

This song revolves around a story about some sort of fight club. Where guys meet up on saturday nights to beat the shit out of each other.

White Braids & Pillow Chair
Starting off, this song reminds me a lot of Artic Monkeys. The guitar riff for this song is very laid back and groovy, really this whole song is like that. The bass and drums compliment each other nicely. Of course this wouldn't be a RHCP's album without mentioning California, this song has been blessed with that privilege.
Towards the end of the song the tempo quickens and gets a bit of a surf rock vibe. All in all a great, mellow song.

One Way Traffic
A funky beat starts us off with One Way Traffic. This song is incredibly groovy, the kind of song that makes you nod your head. Or get up and dance. The melody of the chorus is extremely catchy. Anthony's singing on here is fun to listen to, the way he sort of juggles his lines is cool. The bass line is one of the best out of the whole album. One of the electric guitars also plays this palm muted riff that sounds very nice, further adding to the funk. Overall great song.

Veronica
This song starts off with a unique effect on the guitar, that makes it sound wobbly. This is the first time we ever hear it and the riff it plays is weird but cool. That same effect is also used on Anthony's vocals at certain points in the song. Making it sound like Inkling speech from Splatoon. There's various tempo changes throughout, keeping things fresh and not boring.

Lyrically this song is about various people from various cities. Those include: Chicago, Miami, and Omaha, and what it's like there. There's also a 4th person by the name of "I Love You" that claims to be from where everyone else is from. I myself am not entirely sure what it could mean. I have heard though that it's possibly about RHCP's fans going to their shows, and how they're all from different parts of the country. Despite that though everybody loves them.

Let 'Em Cry
Flea's funky bass line along with light percussion from Chad Smith kick this song off. Trumpets make a comeback on this song, along with a keyboard. There's nothing big that goes on in this song but I don't mind it. It's just a laid back, relaxing, funky song with a touch of jazz. Flea's bass is a standout as usual.

The Heavy Wing
This feels like very much like a classic rock song. John Frusciante for the first time on this album takes over vocals at the chorus. I gotta say he absolutely kills it on this song, matter of fact everybody gives it there all on here. I also love the build up the chorus, it takes it's time and when it reaches it, it just erupts. Definitely on of the best songs on the album.

Tangelo
The final song of the album. This song takes things slow and is more of a ballad. An acoustic guitar playing melancholy chords, bass, and Anthony's vocals are all we get in the beginning, making it seem like he's playing directly to us. Synthesizers and keyboards subtley join in later before dying out. Ending things in a quiet way. As the closer for the album it's alright, not my favorite but definitely not bad either.

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Final Thoughts
In conclusion Unlimited Love by Red Hot Chili Peppers was a pretty good listen. I loved the direction they went with this album. The laid back and chill atmosphere that dominate most of the songs is something I welcome with open arms. People shouldn't go into this album expecting their crazy sound from their previous albums. It's great to see them releasing another album and going strong as a band rather than fading into the darkness. Apparently they already have a few tracks already recorded for their next album too, which is exciting to hear.

Anyways I think this is totally worth a listen. I might not like a few songs on this album. But all in all I did enjoy listening to it. Originally I planned to be more negative on this review. But upon giving all of the song a re-listen I ended appreciating it more, (well at least the good ones). So that being said I recommend this album to RHCP fans. As well as to anybody who thinks they'll enjoy it. It's good to see that the Red Hot Chili Peppers have still got that touch.

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If I Had Too Rate It Out Of 10: 8/10

Songs I Liked:

• Black Summer
• Here Ever After
• Aquatic Mouth Dance
• It's Only Natural
• She's a Lover
• These Are The Ways
• Whatchu Thinkin'
• Bastards of Light
• White Braids & Pillow Chair
• One Way Traffic
• Veronica
• Let 'Em Cry
• The Heavy Wing

Songs I Disliked:

• Not The One
• Poster Child
• The Great Apes

For Those Interested In Checking It Out Here's A Preview Song: