"Return of the Dream Canteen" is the 13th studio album by Californian rock funksters the Red Hot Chili Peppers. When I reviewed 12th album "Unlimited Love" here is what I wrote in conclusion:
"Coming back from all his solo electronic escapades it's clear Frusciante is still one of the best guitarists around and it seems his chemistry with the rest of the band is as if he never left. This is great to see and hear and I hope the Chilis now get in a rhythm of writing music again, so we don't have to wait 6 years for the next album."
Amazingly we have not had to wait another 6 years. In fact, all we had to wait was 6 months! This has to be the most unexpected album since Taylor Swift released "evermore" in 2020" which came off the back of "folklore" earlier that year. But is this just a bunch of b-sides to "Unlimited Love"?
Personally, I don't think so. Being so close together I think they would have known they had too much music for one album and even a double album. But albums are roughly 75 minutes. Meaning if they had released both albums - combining them into a double album. It would be far too long, and fans just would not be able to digest it. For me, they had to release it this way. And there is no way "Return of the Dream Canteen" is a b-sides album either. This has many, many good tracks on it. And sees them start off as "Unlimited love" ended. I would say they did front load the album with all the bigger sounding tracks which would really sell the album as singles. "Tippa my tongue", "Peace & Love", "Reach out" and "Eddie". It really is a cracking start to the album.
"Reach out" is currently my favourite song off the album. This one has a great rhythm to it and an impactful chorus. "Eddie" is a tribute to the late Eddie Van Halen and what a way to pay tribute with one of the sole guitar solos on the album where Frusciante lets loose. I say it is the only real moment on the album where John takes centre stage. I think this shows that he'd rather work as part of the team/band and create a good song without taking centre stage. Which those familiar with the Chilis work will know he has had a tendency to do in the past. That's definitely not a criticism though as it is one of the reasons the Chilis have been so successful over the years. It's no accident that arguably the Chilis best albums have come with John Frusciante on guitar.
As well as the stand-out singles on the album, it goes through many highs and lows. And by low I don't mean bad but more the softer points on the album like "My Cigarette" which has such a chilled-out vibe with a much welcome brass section. Then you have more up-tempo numbers such has "The drummer". Another turning point is the lush "La la la la la la la la" which I actually had to do a double take - is that a piano I hear on a Chili's album!? surely not :-D. The album finishes with quite a unique track which is quite impressive for a band who are not far off 40 years old. "In the Snow" Kiedis vocals are like talking which may sound simple, but it works and makes for a fantastic end to the album.
Overall, the Chilis have done it again. A superb album and I'm glad they realised the quality of these songs and didn't just put them on the scrap heap. Which they could have done given the success of "Unlimited Love" where they could have toured that for a good 4 years. Instead, they have given themselves the welcome problem of how to play the 34 songs which they have released this year live. Let's forget they do have 11 albums worth of material out-with what they released this year. They could only just be able to play these albums back-to-back in a live show. But the fans will always want to classics too, so I imagine many of these tracks won't be played live. Which is a shame but at the same time it is a good problem to have. Now will it be 6 months till the next Chilis album? Go on........ :-D
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