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John Frusciante left the RHCPs?
- Thread starter bearclaw
- Start date
Same formula for the last 15 years?
Maybe I take it too literally but imho I think they have had quite much variation in their albums from album to album. Most of time when I hear random song of theirs I can connect it to some album based on it's style, or that's what I think I can do
Also might be that I've listened to them just too much and am brainwashed already (and that making me just think that theyre style has varied over time).
Happy to be proven wrong though, maybe it's wake up time.
I don't know, maybe it's just me,
I tried to take three random songs from their three last albums:
To me, all those songs could be on the same CD and there would be no clash att all, il would sound as if they were taped in the same session.
Again, I don't mean to piss in anyones beer, a lot of people actually likes RHCP, but to me they aren't exacly one of those bands with artistic aspirations that reinvents themselves every album, they just pump out radio hits that sound alike to a deranging degree, and have been doing it for a long time.
I tried to take three random songs from their three last albums:
To me, all those songs could be on the same CD and there would be no clash att all, il would sound as if they were taped in the same session.
Again, I don't mean to piss in anyones beer, a lot of people actually likes RHCP, but to me they aren't exacly one of those bands with artistic aspirations that reinvents themselves every album, they just pump out radio hits that sound alike to a deranging degree, and have been doing it for a long time.
I always loved Blood Sugar Sex Magik and Mother's Milk and I liked early RHCP for novelty's sake but I wasn't ever really into the albums after BSSM. One Hot Minute had moments of brilliance (love Invalid Link Removed) but it was too uneven and the pieces fit uneasily. The next couple albums seemed too far from what I thought of as the RHCP sound into pop.
Then when a covers/original band fell apart we decided to try again as a tribute band. We compiled a list of about 30 bands to choose from and we decided the most fun for all of us would end up being RHCP. Since then I had to listen to all of the songs they've done. Afterward I realized that (1) Flea is not as flashy or complicated as I thought but is a better musician than I ever gave him credit for (2) John Frusciante went from a very simple and dry recording style on BSSM to layering things massively and he's also a better musician than I gave him credit for and (3) there is enormous musical variety in what the RHCP do that most people don't see or realize because a lot of the later hits are somewhat samey and Kiedis' vocals will always make them sound like RHCP.
Animal Bar
Bicycle Song
This Velvet Glove
Readymade (even if it does sound like the riff from "Mountain Song")
Hey
Throw Away Your Television
Desecration Smile
Invalid Link Removed
You may not like it, but I find it hard to say that all these songs (all latter era RHCP) sound the same. There are a lot of bands that get a lot more love around here that that criticism is more appropriately leveled at.
Check out the end of "If You Have to Ask" or any solo on Mother's Milk or BSSM. Frusciante had the skills, but when he came back for Californication he was ravaged by heroin use and hadn't even picked up a guitar in a year. He was still relearning how to play the instrument.
And just because this thread made me want to listen to BSSM, here's the track that's currently on - My Lovely Man. Awesome groove.
Then when a covers/original band fell apart we decided to try again as a tribute band. We compiled a list of about 30 bands to choose from and we decided the most fun for all of us would end up being RHCP. Since then I had to listen to all of the songs they've done. Afterward I realized that (1) Flea is not as flashy or complicated as I thought but is a better musician than I ever gave him credit for (2) John Frusciante went from a very simple and dry recording style on BSSM to layering things massively and he's also a better musician than I gave him credit for and (3) there is enormous musical variety in what the RHCP do that most people don't see or realize because a lot of the later hits are somewhat samey and Kiedis' vocals will always make them sound like RHCP.
Animal Bar
Bicycle Song
This Velvet Glove
Readymade (even if it does sound like the riff from "Mountain Song")
Hey
Throw Away Your Television
Desecration Smile
Invalid Link Removed
You may not like it, but I find it hard to say that all these songs (all latter era RHCP) sound the same. There are a lot of bands that get a lot more love around here that that criticism is more appropriately leveled at.
Check out the end of "If You Have to Ask" or any solo on Mother's Milk or BSSM. Frusciante had the skills, but when he came back for Californication he was ravaged by heroin use and hadn't even picked up a guitar in a year. He was still relearning how to play the instrument.
And just because this thread made me want to listen to BSSM, here's the track that's currently on - My Lovely Man. Awesome groove.
I want to just say that I hold John Frusciante on the same level as Jimi Henderix and Stevey Ray Vaughn. He is amazing on many levels. Please do yourself a favor and check him out or go back and listen to what and how he plays. No one can fill those shoes.
I for one always preferred JF with RHCP. I find his tone and sonic space (playing higher voiced chords) to allow a lot of room so flea can do what he does. I also love that his tone isn't such an overtone driven wash that makes the bass player only have room for 8th notes.
I have been a huge RHCP since I was 13 or 14, and basically learned to play bass by learning Flea's parts.
I think JF has a clear, funky tone and feel that is unusual to today's guitarist. Think of "Funky Monks" on BSSM. Who play's like that these days! Not even JF.
Also, I really love alot of the tunes on By The Way. "Dosed" has such a cool guitar part.
And Stadium Arcadium, although maybe not as as funky, is one of my favorite Alt-Rock albums released in years. Especially when compared to most of the schizz that the Alt-Rock scene has turned into (Where are you Soundgarden!)
I still think JF's guitar playing on this album can be really cool for pop music. The guitar playing on Snow, title track, Charlie, is really cool for example.
Hated the dave navarro years, don't understand how anyone could prefer his playing.
I have been a huge RHCP since I was 13 or 14, and basically learned to play bass by learning Flea's parts.
I think JF has a clear, funky tone and feel that is unusual to today's guitarist. Think of "Funky Monks" on BSSM. Who play's like that these days! Not even JF.
Also, I really love alot of the tunes on By The Way. "Dosed" has such a cool guitar part.
And Stadium Arcadium, although maybe not as as funky, is one of my favorite Alt-Rock albums released in years. Especially when compared to most of the schizz that the Alt-Rock scene has turned into (Where are you Soundgarden!)
I still think JF's guitar playing on this album can be really cool for pop music. The guitar playing on Snow, title track, Charlie, is really cool for example.
Hated the dave navarro years, don't understand how anyone could prefer his playing.
If this really is true, it would be for the better. I grew up on the Peppers in the 80's and early 90's, and I liked what John did on BSSM, as it was still in the same vein (bad pun, sorry). But as great as he is in his own right, what he's done since he rejoined the Peppers is completely something else that would be best left as another band.
I totally agree with this. He's one of my favorite guitarists not because of chops, but because he can do so much with the guitar as far as making the song shine. "Dosed" is really simple to play, but the guitars sparkle. I've always loved his sound.
And to all those who keep referencing his drug problems, Frusciante's been clean for a long time.
I like Frusciante too, but artistry and survival in the music industry is about pushing the envelope and progressing as musicians/artists, etc. A new guitarist could broaden their horizons a bit and take them in a new direction. if it doesn't work out after a few albums, you can always go back to your tried and true trademark sound again (i.e. U2 after the horrendous Zooropa and Pop experiments).
Teppei is too Asian to be able to play the suburbanite funk RHCP plays.
He would probably add something amusing and worthwhile to the band, and -seeing the songs RHCP has been releasing over the past few years- that is just unacceptable.
I read Scar Tissues too. If i recall correctly, the band was stumped in terms of fresh ideas during the filming of a video, so Dave went ahead and tongued Anthony. Anthony was not weird out by it though.
This is more what I thought of too.
JustOpenYourMind:
Maybe you got unlucky when picking out the songs... They all were more or less of the "radio tunes" we hear from the band and that even might already be the reason why they sound so much like the same. Like every band, it takes some time to dig through all the albums to get a big picture of the band. Then again I don't know if you have done it but for my taste they seem to have lots and lots of different kind of tunes in latter era. I'm not trying bash you, it's just that I love the band and you don't.
I'm sure this could be said of many bands and it all comes down to personal preferences anyway.
Too bad... I liked Frusciante a lot. He understands the meaning of RHYTHM and SPACE which is so rare.
His work on BSSM in particular is exceptional. I used to be in a band that covered "Apache Rose Peacock" and that guitar part is not as easy at it sounds.
His work on BSSM in particular is exceptional. I used to be in a band that covered "Apache Rose Peacock" and that guitar part is not as easy at it sounds.
This is more what I thought of too.
JustOpenYourMind:
Maybe you got unlucky when picking out the songs... They all were more or less of the "radio tunes" we hear from the band and that even might already be the reason why they sound so much like the same. Like every band, it takes some time to dig through all the albums to get a big picture of the band. Then again I don't know if you have done it but for my taste they seem to have lots and lots of different kind of tunes in latter era. I'm not trying bash you, it's just that I love the band and you don't.
You are probably right, RHCP is not my cup of tea and for that reason, I don't know them deeply at all. Everytime I ear a song by them though, I keep thinking the same things I wrote earlier.
I should've expressed myself better,
When I say RHCP is a brand, I mean that they do write songs with a certain ''esthetic'' that has to fit the image and mood of RHCP, and most important the songs have to please the fans. This kind of leads them to be stuck in a certain sound as long as they are using the name, the label.
That band having such great musicians, it would be great to see them doing more experimental stuff, which they did, by participating in The mars volta and by various jams you can see on the internet.
So sorry for the lovers of RHCP, I meant no harm
Maybe JF has left to pursue solo projects, to me that's a good thing.
Evolution is a nice thing, stagnation isn't
+1 to Dosed. One of my favorite RHCP songs. Just a great song, even if it is outside of their normal funky vein. I don't know why this album, By The Way, doesn't get more love. Just because it doesn't sound like Freaky Styly doesn't mean it sucks! It is one my favorite RHCP albums now that I am no longer 19.
Has there been an offical announcement or comments from band members as to the future of the band and their plans?
But he isn't too Asian to play the metal that used to be Thrice? I think he would fit perfectly, but I like Thrice too much to wish him leaving.
lowsound
