New RHCP! "Dark Necessities"

[BillyIVbass]

Hey guys, sorry to derail the the thread a bit, but since some of you have commented on Flea's tone, does anyone know what he uses to record his albums in terms of gear? I've heard it's not the same as his well-documented live rig, and since he always has a pretty nice tone on his albums, I'm curious to know what exactly does the magic.

Sounds like a Jazz Bass to me and I know Flea has a '61 Jazz in Shell Pink, but this is a complete guess.

For what it's worth, I dig the tune...but I really liked their Californication album

 

[TheDayMan]

Hey guys, sorry to derail the the thread a bit, but since some of you have commented on Flea's tone, does anyone know what he uses to record his albums in terms of gear? I've heard it's not the same as his well-documented live rig, and since he always has a pretty nice tone on his albums, I'm curious to know what exactly does the magic.

I know he's used a '61 jazz to do a lot of recording since about Californication. Also seems to use it live quite a bit for not big stadium shows/appearances. Beyond that I don't know, pretty sure he's mixed up his gear in the studio quite a bit throughout his career.

 

[Joe Nerve]

For the record, at least one post per page has mentioned Mother's Milk or BSSM and how they can't recapture that magic or should. Or just mentions that this doesn't sound like "classic" RHCP (which is the same thing in other words). So I didn't assume what anyone said. I just repeated the gist of a large chunk of the comments that were written in the same language I speak, read, and can comprehend.

So not sure what you want from me there.

Blink 182 "completely" changed their sound on a dime and literally alienated a huge chunk of their fan base (me included) after Dude Ranch so I'm not sure that literally one of the worst (in my opinion) examples of a band "evolving" their sound could be held up as a good example.

We'll agree to disagree I guess. I respect your opinion (truthfully no sarcasm in that statement). I've always known you to be a respectful, intelligent person on here Joe so I'm not trying to fight, but I just whole-heartedly disagree and I think this thread is mostly filled with confused people that don't have the slightest inkling of what they want from this band other than to judge them based on the fact that they don't sound like 1991 anymore.

There are plenty of comments here that are well thought out and I can see how someone might feel the way they feel, but an overwhelming number of comments are directly out of the poster's anus.

Truth be told, I'm pairing without thinking today... Real busy at work. Also guilty of not reading very carefully. Gonna shut up now... Maybe come back with a more thoughtful post when I have time .

Bottom line for me here is I'm sad. RHCP were my favorite band for a long time, and even have a bit to do with why my wife and I are together.

 

[Bassmaticmatt]

That song sucks. Yep, I said it. When did RHCP decide they want to be Toto?

When they blessed the rains down in Africa I guess.

 

[Hoss Groovealot]

I miss when they were a funk band, and even the funk/punk stuff. I know I am an old curmudgeon, but they started losing me at Blood Sugar Sex Magic.

Red Hot Chili Peppers, Freaky Styley, Uplift Mofo Party Plan and Mother’s Milk still make me happy when I put one in.

 

[boomtisk]

Due to the usual YouTube/GEMA hassle you have to endure living in Germany, I was only able to listen to this by watching someone's guitar cover. Oh well. It sounds a tad -- overproduced?

I used to be a big fan, but stopped caring for them when Stadium Arcadium came out. Too many guitar tracks, big power chords (as opposed to the punkish vibe they used to have going on) and too much standard alt rock creeping into their music.

I for one really like "Californication", it has a cool, intimate and minimalist vibe, sometimes it sounds like you're in the studio with the band while they're recording their tracks, it has very few overdubs (well, save for "Scar Tissue") and is very light on "fat". I think it's great, even though when it comes to harmonies, it starts creeping away from the bluesy vibe they used to have -- and I didn't think that was a bad thing, it made the album sound all the more unique.

Although to be honest, I never considered them all that strong a band when it comes to songwriting and recording. The early stuff has some cool idea but most of the time, the production is lacking/thin-sounding. To me, BSSM seemed like something like a perfect storm where everything was on point all of a sudden. It also still has the fattest-sounding bass and drum sound out of all of their material that I know. Later on, Chad's snare started sounding like someone cut it out of a piece of cardboard.

Oh well, maybe I'm going to try hunting down a decen recording of the new song.

 

[engedi1]

RHCP still brings it. I can't stand these " I wish they sounded like Uplift Mofo Party Plan forever arguments" Bands evolve. Get over it. I'm not saying you have to like it, but don't hate it simply because it isn't Mother's Milk.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

Yeah but ... it lacks the RHCP energy.

Let me think. How much energy I had in the 80's?
Also, were those "the 80's" thirty plus years ago?

Anyway.
I like that ONE(!) song that we were allowed to hear.
Yes, I will buy(!) that album.
Yes, it has much more POP, so WHAT????
It has MORE MELODY and less "rough-cut", "abrasively-energetic", and "stubbornly-soccer-ish" tone.
Does it have something NEW/VERY NEW. No!
It's just aging RHCP and that's all there is to it!

(P.S. I truly believe that "emotional" RHCP fans (EX-FANS!) by CRITICIZING the new album are PROMOTING it.)


About Flea's bass tone/sound.
Flea HAS (for sure) THE MOST AUTHORITATIVE and THE DECISIVE VOICE in the band; therefore, it's his VISION of his bass sound.

 

[Antisyzygy]

RHCP still brings it. I can't stand these " I wish they sounded like Uplift Mofo Party Plan forever arguments" Bands evolve. Get over it. I'm not saying you have to like it, but don't hate it simply because it isn't Mother's Milk.

I don't like it because the guitar track basically dropped off the map ever since Frusciante left. I like most RHCP albums up through and including Stadium Arcadium.

 

[bassstrangler]

No matter what they sound like I've never liked them.

 

[Tom Howland]

I a big RHCP fan. Not digging this. Where are Chad's drums ? To radio friendly.
No edge, they lost there spark. Simple, No John No RHCP. Kind of sad.

 

[engedi1]

I don't like it because the guitar track basically dropped off the map ever since Frusciante left. I like most RHCP albums up through and including Stadium Arcadium.

There is no question the real magic happens with the Chad/Frusciante/Flea/Keidis lineup with Rick Rubin producing. I liked Stadium Arcadium although I felt it could've been one album with 14 songs and been just fine. I like I'm With You though. There are 5 or 6 really great tunes with some cool guitar parts. Monarchy of Roses, Look Around,

I don't like it because the guitar track basically dropped off the map ever since Frusciante left. I like most RHCP albums up through and including Stadium Arcadium.

I agree that the real magic happened with the Frusciante/Smith lineup with Rubin producing. I liked Stadium Arcadium a lot although they could have condensed all the good songs into one disk imho. I like I'm With You quite a lot. Monarchy of Roses, Factory of faith, Look Around, Ethiopia and Annie Want a baby are all great tracks. I like a lot of what Josh does on guitar. But Frusciante is this creative genius that no one can really replace. I do agree the drums are weak on the new track.

 

[Genomatic]

Did someone say "meh"? Throw another one on the pile.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

Let me think. How much energy I had in the 80's?
Also, were those "the 80's" thirty plus years ago?

Anyway.
I like that ONE(!) song that we were allowed to hear.
Yes, I will buy(!) that album.
Yes, it has much more POP, so WHAT????
It has MORE MELODY and less "rough-cut", "abrasively-energetic", and "stubbornly-soccer-ish" tone.
Does it have something NEW/VERY NEW. No!
It's just aging RHCP and that's all there is to it!

(P.S. I truly believe that "emotional" RHCP fans (EX-FANS!) by CRITICIZING the new album are PROMOTING it.)


About Flea's bass tone/sound.
Flea HAS (for sure) THE MOST AUTHORITATIVE and THE DECISIVE VOICE in the band; therefore, it's his VISION of his bass sound.

When I say it lacks energy and it is soft and sound like they take the "less is more" route, I think they are getting away from what made RHCP the RHCP in the first place ! Like they take meds and get so mellow. I'm sure live it is still interesting but still. Yes the bass sound fine but the rest not so much to me.

Take Dream Theater, what made Dream Theater is still there 30 years later. But I guess some style of music can age with the musicians unlike (maybe) the more juvenal style RHCP had.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

When I say it lacks energy and it is soft and sound like they take the "less is more" route, I think they are getting away from what made RHCP the RHCP in the first place ! Like they take meds and get so mellow. I'm sure live it is still interesting but still. Yes the bass sound fine but the rest not so much to me.

Take Dream Theater, what made Dream Theater is still there 30 years later. But I guess some style of music can age with the musicians unlike (maybe) the more juvenal style RHCP had.

Let look at Flea's bass line from some a la "World Gymnastics" rules/requirements:
1. The 16th (fast) notes - Checked!
2. Slap - Checked!
3. Bass Runs - Checked!
4. Chords/Double Stops - Checked!

To sum up.
Flea's bass-line has all the ingredients for a good bass "show-off".

About that "NO ENERGY" sound. I've listened to that song numerous times through different players, DAW's.
And here is my simple opinion.
IT'S (90%) ABOUT THE MIX!!!.

P.S. I left 10% to RHCP's higher level of MUSICIANSHIP, higher level of Technique that tend to remove those "early day" impurities.

In short.

If you give those tracks - the drums, bass, guitar, etc... - to a DIFFERENT SOUND ENGINEER with instructions that the FANS need more of that "Aggressively-energetic" and "I'm-too-high-to-give-a-damn" SOUND/TONE,
it could be EASILY ACHIEVED!

 

[engedi1]

Good point about the mix. They need Rick Rubin back.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

Good point about the mix.

Yes, THE NOTES ARE THERE.
It's ALL ABOUT THAT MIX!

P.S. When I listened to that song on Studio One or Sonar Pro DAW, the very first thought was this:
The mix is SO-O-O-O....O compressed and SO-O-O-O....O limiter- "ized". WOW!

 

[Clef_de_fa]

Let look at Flea's bass line from some a la "World Gymnastics" rules/requirements:
1. The 16th (fast) notes - Checked!
2. Slap - Checked!
3. Bass Runs - Checked!
4. Chords/Double Stops - Checked!

To sum up.
Flea's bass-line has all the ingredients for a good bass "show-off".

About that "NO ENERGY" sound. I've listened to that song numerous times through different players, DAW's.
And here is my simple opinion.
IT'S (90%) ABOUT THE MIX!!!.

P.S. I left 10% to RHCP's higher level of MUSICIANSHIP, higher level of Technique that tend to remove those "early day" impurities.

In short.

If you give those tracks - the drums, bass, guitar, etc... - to a DIFFERENT SOUND ENGINEER with instructions that the FANS need more of that "Aggressively-energetic" and "I'm-too-high-to-give-a-damn" SOUND/TONE,
it could be EASILY ACHIEVED!

Could be right about the mix but still, one man "show off" bass line is another man basic stuff.

The drums should be revisited for sure if you wish to have some drive. No matter the sound engineer, the drum track is the drum track, clap sound with straight 8th hit-hat is far from what he could do especially with a slap bass line to make it funky a little.

 

[Handyman]

Artists change with time, and we're certainly free to not care for the artist they've changed into.

Most artists with long careers have a relatively narrow slice of time where they've produced music I really care for. I very much doubt I'm in the minority with that.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

the drum track is the drum track, clap sound with straight 8th hit-hat is far from what he could do

OK, let listen to the drum track from Snow (Hey Oh)


ANYWAY.

It's FUNNY that we HEARD just ONE SONG from RHCP's new album,
AND ALREADY CONDEMNED THE WHOLE ALBUM with its 13 (!!!) songs.

Anything new at TB?

The Getaway Track List

1. "The Getaway"
2. "Dark Necessities"
3. "We Turn Red"
4. "The Longest Wave"
5. "Goodbye Angels"
6. "Sick Love"
7. "Go Robot"
8. "Feasting on the Flowers"
9. "Detroit"
10. "This Ticonderoga"
11. "Encore"
12. "The Hunter"
13. "Dreams of a Samurai"

Who knows, maybe there is some song similar to one of MY FAVORITES RHCP pop songs,
"Hump de Bump"