Red Hot Chili Peppers - Strange Man / Long Progression (2012) (8,5/10)

Some people may argue that the famous American Crossover act RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS may not be relevant for a site that features articles, interviews and reviews of the Metal scene and all its diversified subgenres. As a matter of fact, one should give some credit to this band as they have connected musical genres that have been completely incompatible before the experimental band from Los Angeles saw the light of day. The band has been around for almost 30 years now and connected styles such as Alternative, Progressive and Psychedelic Rock, Funk music, Punk, Rap and even influences coming from diversified genres such as African folklore, Reggae and Speed Metal.

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS are one of those bands you could easily play during a party because almost everybody may find something he or she likes in their large discography. I know fans of Classic music that adore the band’s ballads. I know old Rock fans that adore the energizing approaches of the four guys from California. I know many Metal maniacs that would normally listen to Thrash Metal but adore the harder stuff these guys here have put out. From chaotic Funk Rock as in “Freaky Styley” over experimental Psychedelic Rock records like the heavy and weird “One Hot Minute” up to laid back and commercially flavoured Soft Rock releases such as the introspective grower “By The Way”, this band has always tried out new things and done an outstanding pioneer work in multiple genres.

Even though they are so varied, they really have their very own style. The perfectly imperfect and slightly nasal vocals of the charismatic front man Anthony Kiedis are one of a kind. The fast slap bass technique of the gifted Michael “Flea” Balzary has also inspired many bass players of the heavier music spectres. The band’s different guitar players such as the late Hillel Slovak, JANE’S ADDICTION’s Dave Navarro, the experimental brand of JOHN FRUSCIANTE who has also released many open-minded solo records or now with the young and very talented Josh Klinghoffer have been or still are perfect executioners of their instruments. Add the dynamic drum play of Jack Irons and now Chad Smith that is also involved in the stunning super group CHICKENFOOT to this and you have a truly explosive mixture. RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS are more than just musicians, they are artists. One should just take a look on their experimental cover artworks or their inspired music videos.

After the last year’s release of the critically acclaimed “I’m With You” record, the band still had many promising songs left over. They didn’t want to throw away or use them for a quickly done new studio record. That’s why the brand new inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame went for a special move. They decided to release a total of nine vinyl and download singles starting in August 2012 and finishing in the beginning of 2013. Each of the nine 7-inches features a piece of a cover artwork by Kelsey Brookes that form a larger piece of artwork called “Iris” once they will be combined together.  

The first of this series of nine releases comes now along with the two new tracks: “Strange Man” and “Long Progression”. The first track has a laid back summertime feeling and reminds me of American radio Rock music of the late sixties and early seventies. That’s a perfect song to hit the open road. The guitars chords are minimalist but very warm in the verses and fit well to the chilling vocals. The chorus is clearly influenced by Funk guitar riffs, slap bass guitars and a very rhythm orientated as well as emotional vocal performance. The great thing about this track is that the chorus has a good transition to the calmer verses. The two quite different styles are perfectly combined together and form a very catchy tune that would have topped the charts if it was released in local record stores and had seen a little bit more promotion in form of a video clip for example. Fans of both the old and more Funk orientated RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS as well as more recent fans of the radio Rock orientated material should both like the song even if it is has only a rather slow to mid tempo pace.

The second song reminds me of the track “Save the Population” from the greatest hits release of the band. It’s a little bit faster than the previous track and has once again very warm guitar chords and a truly beautiful vocal performance. Anthony Kiedis has never been a technically all too skilled performer but just like a good wine he seems to get better the older he gets. The lack of technique is more than compensated by his emotional approach. The dynamic chorus works very well once again and is truly catchy. The song has a laid back and dreamy bridge but also some short upbeat funk elements as well as discordant and heavy alternative rock solo. The song varies from a very harmonic start towards a heavier and emotionally thrilled ending and always remains variable. Even on the very good “I’m With You” record, this track would have been a definite highlight. From these two amazing tracks, I clearly prefer the second one.

In the end, this release is a great way to kick off a unique series of nine single releases throughout the next months that I will try to follow and cover as much as I can. Any fan of the band should definitely purchase both tracks and even head for the special edition on vinyl. If these songs are only considered as outtakes, you may realize how great the regular stuff of this band might be. If you have ignored the band before you should revise this error right now and check them out.

(Online September 13, 2012)