First, one confession. The Getaway is the first album from RHCP I listened to in full. Never have been a fan, always considered them as too mainstream, one of those bands who know how to make a killer single, you know what I mean. A song that possesses your brain making you listen to it until you get sick of it. And then, The Getaway came out, I decided to check it out, and now the album became my favorite record of 2016.
A perfect mix of funky melodies, melodic guitars, incredible songwriting and Anthony’s mesmerizing vocals is a joy to listen to. They showed that all these years of making music, creating fabulous sonic soundscapes is a massive advantage when time comes to write new songs. Almost all songs have that “thing,” that secret ingredient responsible for making you hooked to the music, enjoying every single note, every single word. Arrangements are not made for a sole purpose of making a perfect music formula, one that has hooks all over the place, which looks like something created in some dark music laboratory. No, many songs on the album have a complex structure, making them unappealing on the first, second, or fifth listen. Only after you heard The Getaway for around ten times, a real value of songs will start becoming apparent.
Just listen to Dark Necessities, a song with a cheerful main theme, coated with dark lyrics telling a story in which many of us can get recognized, it’s all about the context. Or Go Robot, a perfect explanation of modern culture, where everyone is stripped out of empathy, letting their loved ones be hurt, again and again.
Goodbye Angels is emotionally filled, hard to listen to, but rewarding when you finally recognize its true value. And what to say about Dreams Of A Samurai, a magnificent album closer, containing incredible music, and amazing lyrics.
The Getaway is full of positive surprises, as RHCP showed the world they are still able to make killer tunes. Bass is viciously good; guitars can be impressive at times (just listen to This Ticonderoga, probably the best song of the album), other elements are solid enough to make The Getaway one of the best rock records of 2016. RHCP did it again, and we should all be joyous, getting a chance to experience another excellent offer from the band.
