by Sam Wolstenholm
The Red Hot Chili Peppers is a band consisting of various members since they began in the early 80s, but the current crew is Anthony Kiedis (lead vocalist), Flea (bass guitarist), Chad Smith (drummer), and John Frusciante (guitarist). Return of the Dream Canteen is their 13th studio album, and it was released on October 14th, 2022. These guys just keep on going. They've always had a different sound than their peers, and the same could definitely be said with this album. Labeled as "alternative" on Apple Music, the sound of this project jumps all over the place. There's something here for everybody, even you. Don't believe me? Read on to find out!
Anthony is rapping on this. It isn't a rap song but he is. In fact, there's many different styles mashed up here. Guitar solo. Funky fat bass guitar. Crisp drums (very well-recorded). His voice is odd, and I don't love it on its own. This song also has the guitar at a similar frequency range with the vocals. They're clashing a bit, and maybe that's why I feel some type of way about his voice (EDITING NOTE: I definitely get used to his voice throughout the album, and this song is pretty different from the rest). I do like how the song started and breaked later on with the quiet snare drum roll and a bass that is absolutely racing. However, I'm not really a fan of the "yah yah yah yah" part. It sounds whiny. You may not like this song, but it's impossible to deny that it is at the very least fun. Personally, I can't ask for much more than that. It's enjoyable. Also, the track kind of reminds me of the Dirty Heads? If you haven't heard that band give them a chance, specifically their self-titled album with the octopus on it.
This one switches between smooth and groovy to soft and emotional. The chorus is part of a tonal shift from a blues feel to that more soft-rock stuff that this band is more known for. Overall, the drums are crisp yet again (as they are on like every song), the bass is fat (and is the focus of a sick solo), and the vocals are well-place and layered. The guitar also does a great job complimenting these elements. If anything, the track could be a little shorter as it feels like different sections occur a few too many times (which is likely emphasized by the tonal shifts between them). It is a good song though, and it'll get stuck in your head after a few listens.
3. "Reach Out"
I was waiting for a moment to absolutely rock out, and it does occur here at a satisfying point on the album. The first part (as well as the other verses) kind of reel you in because it sounds mysterous and suspenseful of sorts. It's got bit of a reggae influence. After that, the chorus is like an explosion of not only sound but energy. It's a release of the tension built by the first part of the beat. Matching the lyrical content, it sounds like a cry for help. This is clearly coming from the mind of someone who is just fed up and ready to go crazy. We all know that feeling, and you're the crazy one if you say you don't (EDITING NOTE: I don't condone the use of the word "crazy" to describe people, so forgive me on that one). The track is almost theatrical as it moves between styles. These styles reflect how one can go from observing and bottling up thoughts and emotions to completely letting loose as if they are angry at the world for not helping them out sooner. This is definitely the best of the first three in my opinion. You can tell these guys play a lot of music. They've been playing since the 80s, and they're still bringing so many unique ideas to the table.
4. "Eddie"
Before I go into how this song actually sounds, I'd like to point out that it's pretty sad if you know what it's about. Eddie Van Halen passed away in 2020, and this is kind of a tribute to the legendary guitarist. References to his songs and life are sprinkled across the lyrics, and you can almost hear the sorrow in Anthony's performance. "Please don't remember me for what I did last night," is the catchiest line in the song, and it's honestly pretty damn sad. Partly because of how it can be applied to so many different situations. I know that I can personally apply that sentiment to a few different occasions. Okay, now I'll talk about the sound. Yea, this track is amazing. It might be the best one on the album, if I am to be frank. His voice seems to be a lot more in its element here matching the rock energy very well. The band isn't trying too hard to simply fill space, meaning it doesn't sound forced. They're playing from feel (from the heart, if you will) and you can tell. The lead guitar may steal the spotlight with two wild solos, but the bass guitar is what gives this track its legs. The solo that closes out the track (an interesting but welcomed creative choice) makes me want to jump and bang my hair around while getting blinded by strobe lights. I don't have that kind of hair, but I stand by my sentence. Overall, we got a more simple and complete track here before the next one (which is wild as fu@k).
Smooth and unassuming at first, the track begins with a slow-paced and simple beat that follows the quarter notes. Then, the guitar starts going beserk, leading in a double-time and extremely fun chorus. After this high-energy chorus, the instrumental moves back to the same half-time beat the track opened with. At this point though, the audience knows it's just a front for the wild part. It's almost as if it's fake...hmm. Some sick trumpets come in as complimentary sounds the second time the chorus occurs. I haven't even said anything about the vocals yet. If I'm being honest, which I am, I have no idea what this song is about. The lyrics are vague (though they are unique and interesting) and probably require more specific information that I just don't havenin order to fully comprehend. That's okay though because the way Anthony says the title of the song is done with such attitude. In fact, the whole chorus is a barrage of words that make me want to call out all the fakeness I encounter (and have in the past). It's probably a good thing, but that may come back to bite me. Oh well. Either way, this track is wild, fun, and colorful. You cannot tell me it isn't fun as hell to listen to.
6. "Bella"
This track is groovy and hits an emotional tone. It’s clearly about some kind of loss. Now, I’m not sure if that loss is a death or just physical distance, but the hurt is real. He misses Bella. Who is Bella, you ask? Ummmmm it might be a dog. Hear me out. I do think it’s about a dog (as much as it’s disguised to be about a woman). There are so many lines that imply separation from a dog specifically. “I was askin’ her to live on my farm, and she was tellin’ me ‘No, not today’” and “I’d wash her and clean her. Please tell me, have you seen her? Outlast her, drive past her” are some lyrics that you’d have a hard time convincing me that they are not about a dog. I genuinely believe this is a song about a dog running away, and I love it. I haven’t heard it before, but I can relate to it. It’s sad and scary when it happens, and you almost blame yourself. As far as the music goes, the bass guitar is the driving force (again). I mentioned that it sounds groovy, and that’s also aided by the swingy drum beat. The way Anthony sings, “She wants to live in L.A.” is so catchy and intriguing too. Not much wrong with this track really. There are a lot of musical developments that keep it interesting throughout, and the vocals work well with the instrumental.
7. "Roulette"
If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of a roulette, look it up…Okay fine. It’s basically a synonym for gambling. If you’re playing roulette with anything or anybody, you’re taking a risk of some sort. I’m not 100% sure if this song is about getting with a girl that is in college, or letting your daughter go into the world. Yea, I know, very different. But both could be applied. I’m inclined to go with the lover that's in college one. It’s kind of sad, yes, but he knows it’s a gamble. He calls the decision to try and stick with her a “losing bet.” I agree with this personally because I have a hard time believing long-distance to work in an unestablished relationship (especially when one of the parties is going to live a whole different life in college). Call me a cynic, but I am certainly not cynical about this track. It’s very good in all parts except the chorus. Honestly, the hook sounds a bit too simple and phoned in to me. It doesn’t really match the energy set by verses.
If you’ve read my past reviews, you might know that I’m not a huge fan of turning the repetition of the song’s title into a chorus. It can work, but it usually doesn’t. They do this weak chorus eight times or so, and it just gets old by the end of the track. None of them are the same musically because the instrumental slowly develops from start to finish (though it happens way too gradually). The drums stay the same the whole time, and I’m sure they were produced on a computer and thrown on a loop. I’m not a huge fan. I am a sucker for a saxophone though, and this track ends with a sax solo. I love it, and I wish they used the instrument in the entire song. I do appreciate the mysterious lure that comes out of this song, but it isn’t enough for me. It just makes it not as annoying as it could’ve been. I like it in theory, but the execution wasn’t quite there.
9. "Afterlife"
Not bad. Some catchy melodies are sung throughout, and, combined with the lyrics, they almost sound like a celebration of life itself. Simplicity works in favor of this song as not a whole lot happens to throw off the audience. There is a weird little scat break and a guitar solo, but a guitar solo should almost be expected at this point (though this one was pretty damn good). The song seems to go where it’s supposed to and follows the path it forges for itself. I’m not super crazy about this track, but I definitely don’t hate it either. It has that classic Red Hot Chili Peppers poolside vibe.
I'm getting similar vibes with this song as I did the last. They are different, but not by any drastic measures. This track is sunnier and has more of a positive tone. It's got a catchy chorus and a spoken-word bridge. Beyond that, the vocals have a fuller sound here. Good background vocals too. Honestly, I'll probably be adding this to the playlist. It's inoffensive, complete, and void of creative risks (I normally like those risks, but their absense can be impactful as well). Just a lowkey and fun song here. It accomplishes the same thing as the previous track, but I'd say this one does it better.
11. "Handful"
A non-4/4 time signature here, and it sounds great (this is a recurring thing). This track is in 6/8 time and the band executes it beautifully. It almost sounds like a pirate ship. We're sailing across the ocean. This feeling is accented by the way the chorus is delivered. Something about it reminds me of a pirate chant. A Red Hot Sea Shanty, if you will. We've got horns (trumpets I believe), a guitar solo of course, and some drums that are pleasantly all over the place. DO NOT SLEEP ON THIS. I'm going to call this my dark horse. It's just so appealing (even more so with every listen). The message alone is good enough to intrigue me. He's calling himself a handful, but it plays as more of a warning or disclosure. We all have a past, but we all have a future. Yea, I've been a handful, and I will continue to be a handful. But I will stay loyal to you, and I expect you to be a handful too. I'm ready for it. This track plays almost as a celebration of flawed pasts and the ability to look and move forward. This is very good.
12. "The Drummer"
There's a constant on-edge feeling, but it's also oddly comforting. It's like it feels good to know that others are on-edge with you. The lyrics (at least, what I get from them) are very existential. The mundaneness and meaninglessness of life are so observable if you wish to observe them, and that can really get to your head. The song is fast-tempoed, reflecting how life can feel as if it's moving so quickly like a speedy drum beat (the other layer to that is that drum beats are rhythmic, repetitive, and sometimes predictable). If life is a drum beat, then you want to be the drummer. Enough philosophy (or whatever the hell that was). The song is enjoyable. The chorus is catchy, memorable. The lyrics are descriptive and just cryptic enough to think deeply about. The musical elements don't explode into anything insane, but they work together to develop an interesting soundscape for sure. There's a synth crescendo that happens a few times that is really interesting. It's what cements that on-edge feeling. The chorus is comforting though. It's a nice contrast.
13. "Bag of Grins"
Ironically, the drums on this song are a lot better than the last track (not to diminish from the last track at all). There is a lot of death lyrics going on here. Creepy. He's singing from the perspective of someone who has either just died, is currently dying, or is about to die. This is one where I wish the lyrics were more of a mix between the metaphors that are already on here and some more surface-level refelction. I'd think the song could benefit from some more simple and relatable lyrics. Sonically, I get quite a bit on Nirvana influence from this song, especially in the chorus and extended outro. It's got some hard guitar going on and some vocal melodies that just sound like that could've been on Nevermind. Not my favorite track on here. It isn't terribly unique, and that's keeping me from returning to try and further break down the lyrics and concepts.
There is a lot happening here while not much is happening. Some simple piano chords loop from front to back. It gets a bit stale after a while, but the instrumental gets spiced up with some extremely distant drum sounds and a more full chorus section. It walks the line between boring and captivating for me. I do find myself exhaling at this point in a long album, but it probably isn't a track I'd vibe out to individually. Also, it only happens a couple times, but I don't love when they sing the title of the song. It seems unnecessary and kind of annoying. However, I do really like the vocals on here. They're more breathy. Slower. Softer. Clear. Emotional. It's definitely my favorite part of the track. The lyrics pair well with the performance here as it's a love song (I'm pretty sure). There are some questionable but funny lyrics on here. My favorite is, "Tell me how it feels for you, to order Happy Meals for two." I'm putting that one on a T-shirt.
15. "Copperbelly"
Thee idea of this track is better than the sound of it. Don't get me wrong, it sounds alright. It sounds good actually. I like the 3/4 time signature because it allows for unique chord progressions and drum beats. The "guitar solo" comes at a good spot, but it's crazy. There are a lot of sharp frequencies that frankly sound manic. If that's the point, and I think it is, then it works (but it'd be better on the ears if it were a little less intense and matched the energy of the rest of the track better). It represents an internal release of energy. Right after that, the song calms down and works itself into an almost relaxing close. All of this aligns with the theme of the track being universal and internal demons. The darker side of things that we all have and try to ignore. A copperbelly is a kind of snake, and I take that as representative of what I just explained. This inner voice is feeding us negative thoughts that are creating a dissonance within us. We want to ignore it, but it's kind of difficult to ignore a snake, ya know? Sometimes, it wins. It reminds me of the classic story of Adam and Eve. That might be a stretch, but what else am I here for if not to stretch? There just isn’t a lot of attention-grabbing material here besides the concept and guitar solo.
16. "Carry Me Home"
The second track in a row in 3/4 time (or 6/8). This one is a little slower and has more of a hard rock sound. The drum beat is unconventional but cool. The chorus consists of just vocals and bass guitar. During this part, there is A LOT of space being filled with silence. That makes the electric guitar come in even harder when it explodes right after. The song does then cut back to the slower style it started in, but it still sounds like the same song. It’s consistent. This is overall a rock song that is carried by the guitar. It almost sounds like it came straight from the 70s or something. There is a clear classic rock influence. It’s very emotional, even though I’m not exactly sure what the message is supposed to be. At first, I thought it was about going to war and facing death alongside others. However, I also think that it is more about finding a lifelong partner. Someone to live with first and then die with. I am now starting to believe the concept to be a little bit of both. We all are fighting to live in the same world (the war), and it’s a whole lot easier to fight when someone is fighting right there with you. This is what I mean when I say I like songs that make me think. Almost my dark horse pick right here. It’s at the end of the album, so most people probably won’t get this far. Plus, it just sounds like a regular old rock song on the surface. But listen deeper and you extract a lot more out of it.
17. "In the Snow"
Some very out-of-the-blue drums open this track. It's got that classic 808 cowbell sound that you can find on a lot of Wiz Khalifa tracks. An odd comparison, I know, but I didn't expect to hear it whatsoever. It's also got some synthetic tom fills that repeat a lot. The song overall kind of deviates from the already diverse but established sound of the rest of the album. I'm not sure if it works or not in context. On it's own, it sounds okay, but it's so different from the other 16 songs. It sounds like they just made this drum beat and messed around with some basic guitar rifts over it for five minutes. The vocals are fine, but they don't save the track from its crawling pace. Anthony also does some quick...poems? They last a long time too. They do break up the monotony, but not in the energetic way I wanted them too. Like I said, it isn't a bad song individually, but it doesn't work with the rest of the album from my perspective. At least it's the closer, so it can be slightly excused or overlooked, but don't expect me to return to this one. It just doesn't have that draw to it that I learned to enjoy and expect from the entire ret of the album.
Overall
Who would've thought I'd be listening to and reviewing a Red Hot Chili Peppers album at the end of the year 2022? I know I didn't. I'm glad I did though. It isn't a bad album at all. The first six tracks or so showcase what this album and this band is all about. It's a bit experiemental, fun, energetic, and unique. Many of these songs get conceptual and emotional. There are quite a few gems throughout the rest of the tracklist as well. Unfortunately, this thing is pretty bloated with unnecessary songs. I wouldn't go as far as to say they were bad, but there were quite a few forgettable moments. There were one or two stretches of ehhhhhhh within the 17 tracks, but quite a few brilliant moments. This whole album sounds like a spin on rock-and-roll. It's four old guys just having fun with instruments, and it sounds like it. I'll be adding almost half of these songs to my playlist, but will never listen to the other half again most likely. I recommend listening to this album, but don't be surprised if you find yourself needing to split your listening session into three stints. If I had to describe the project with one word, I'd probably go with "fun." I know that probably seems like a cop-out (and maybe it is), but it's true. I had a lot of fun with this review, and I'd almost call myself a fan now. I'll probably be going back to their older music in the coming days, and I expect to enjoy quite a few tracks from those as well. 6.6 might not seem like a high score, but that's only because of the fluff that fills the space between the amazing tracks. Do yourself a favor, and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with Return of the Dream Canteen.
6.6/10
If you've read my review, I assume you have already heard Return of the Dream Canteen, so I want to hear what you think. What'd I miss? Did I tear apart your favorite song? Or give too much credit to one that doesn't deserve it? Any questions or comments? I'd love to respond. Feel free to drop review requests too! I will strongly consider them (this one was a request).
Peace and love.
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