Entertainment

Andrew’s Judgmental Album Reviews: Red Hot Chili Peppers – Unlimited Love (2022)

Published

3 years ago

April 3, 2022

So the last few years have been good for bands to have time to work on material and get thoughts on paper. Red Hot Chili Peppers mentioned they were adding John Frusciante back into the band at the end of 2019, and then the world shut down. So with what consider the “best” lineup back together on an album since 2006 Stadium Arcadium. Do they still have the blood, sex, sugar, magic…or is it just really stoned Dad Rock at this point in time?

This shouldn’t be necessary, but fine, RHCP are: Anthony Kiedas (vocals), Flea (bass), John Frusciante (guitar), Chad Smith (drums).

Artist: Red Hot Chili Peppers
Album: Unlimited Love (2022)
Label: Warner
Total Track Time: 73:04

Black Summer was the lead single for the album, and it definitely took me a few listens to get over weird enunciation in certain verses, but it does have the Californication kind of sound. So at least it sounds like the band, it’s just definitely a song that grows on you. As for lyrically, it goes for some odd metaphors at times, but starting off with the skies refusing to cry and a line about platypus and Roo, one can figure out it’s most likely about the Australian bushfires from 2019-2020. Obviously the metaphors elsewhere could lend you to go on your own ride for meaning, but it seems pretty clear. Here Ever After eases you in with some audible reverb, then a groovy bassline and a very 90s vibe to the song. “She’s the kinda girl that’ll make you wanna go faster now, She’s the kinda girl that’ll make you steal your child, She’s the kinda girl, she’s in her here ever after now, There’s a cry for help and I don’t deny“, well this chorus definitely gets the point across. It’s very easy to sing-a-long to, the groove is cool, and if you still can’t figure out; yes it’s a song about a fun girl but toxic influence. Aquatic Mouth Dance harks back to a more funky style, but still staying very much in their more tame range. The song is littered with references to some of their music or 80s classics like Rapper’s Delight. It’s just a cool funky jam that might have something to do with singing metaphorically, but it’s really just something to bop along to without over thinking it.

Not the One lyrically it strikes you very honestly with this message of not feeling worthy of someone’s love. Musically it’s very reserved and almost sounds like a jazz club band with the guitar sounding more like sonar. The desire to become a better person to match the other person’s perspective, is something that could be fairly relatable. It is definitely dialed back to nearly elevator music on tempo, but it works for serious feeling of the song. There is a small solo where the sonar/whale song guitar tone actually makes perfect sense now. That idea of searching for something, so the pings are going out through the song is pretty damn deep. Poster Child now this was dropped as a promotional single about a month ago and this is just very fun and funky. Tons of nostalgia references for the 70s and 80s throughout all the choruses. Not sure if it’s intended to be a nostalgia trip about a bunch of stuff people grew up on, but it’s cool and part of the fun in multiple listens is trying to hear everything they fit in to the song. The Great Apes now this is…okay I don’t know what this is. Lyrically it feels a little all over the place as it comes to the chorus, “All of my love and half my kisses, Superstar don’t do the dishes, I just want the great apes to be free, Come on now, you lazy cowboy, Heads or tails, but not right now, boy, I just want the great apes to be free“. Taking the lyrics at face value this feels like an awfully long distance to run just to punctuate things with not caring about a bunch of stuff and just wanting great apes to be free. It’s probably too early and I’m not stoned enough, but at least musically it’s catchy. It has that radio rock rhythm you can’t really hate and lyrics that are inoffensive if not inane, so no real qualms…just…questions.

It’s Only Natural so immediately this sounds like a British equivalent to Jack & Diane by John Mellencamp or Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey. I don’t mean musically, I mean that the song’s premise seems to be the star crossed lovers from two different classes or parts of town kind of thing. So you never know, drunk white people everywhere may add this to their karaoke lists like the other two in the future. Dismissive tone aside, it’s a fine song, it really could end up as a karaoke staple in the future. Laid back, groovy and easy to follow lyrically. She’s a Lover kicks off pretty early with a Virginia Woolf reference, and now I’m just kind of wondering how much of this is a reference to her. Again, the chorus is catchy, the instrumentation is funky, and the way it’s arranged is very easy and sing-a-long. I just wasn’t expecting a Virginia Woolf reference. These Are the Ways is surprisingly heavy compared to how the rest of the album has been so far. “Lost in a dream, Please step down from your bully machine, Can we all back it up?“, gives us an early indication on how the song will play out. The rest of the song goes into other “American” things and seems to be getting across an overarching concept of ‘Americans are opinionated, so engage instead of dismissing’. Which makes sense enough given the sheer degradation of communication over the last few years. Not a bad little song, but is somewhat forgettable and probably won’t see much airplay because of the implications the lyrics could stir up.

Whatchu Thinkin’ we are starting to see the finish line of the album (yes there are 17 songs). Now even though the song is about how Native Americans are still treated poorly even so many years after people have been “working to fix that”. The way Anthony sings the bridge just reminds me of Chocolate Rain and then I couldn’t unhear that. I’m not fully sure if that was supposed to be done to get people to latch onto the earworm meme, or if he literally didn’t notice…but jury is out on if I like that or not. Bastards of Light it starts off like the Doogie Howser, M.D. theme, and then the chorus is this weird Bruce Spingsteen/Meat Loaf kind of vibe. “And it feels so good upon a Saturday night, When the bastards come to fight, And it won’t be long before they carry me home, I’m the bastard of your light“, the chorus is kind of amusing, while they do the same thing as a few previous songs where the bridge kind of changes up tempo and gets a little heavier, before they go back to the almost country composition of the chorus. It’s a little all over the place, but generally sounds like elevator music. So take that for what you will. White Braids & Pillow Chair now okay this seems to be a bit of a love song, but I’m not a big enough Hippie to really get into the imagery in this song. From what I can gather its somewhat sweet, there’s even a Bobby Darin mention which explains the 50s guitar tone through most of the song. An okay song without thinking too hard about it.

One Way Traffic thankfully a simple song without a ton of stoner thought level metaphors. This is a fun little song depicting a road trip to go surfing. Tons of California references, just a nice road trip kind of groove song. Simple and clean understanding, I appreciate it on occasion. Veronica this is probably the most fitting song given the name of the album is Unlimited Love. Each verse takes the perspective on one or two people and their interpretation of love. So in the context of this album, it’s definitely a neat addition. On the general merits of if this song will ever be listened to outside of the album, doubtful. It’s fine just a bit boring and is swinging me to sleep. Let ‘Em Cry opens with funky bass and open ended wah chords for a deliberate yet free sonic vibe. That funky and free feeling continues through the song. It’s seemingly a light song that is just fun to sit back and vibe to. If this isn’t an eventual single for the album, I’ll be shocked.

The Heavy Wing not gonna lie, the song is alright if not too similar to some former songs, but this feels more self-indulgent than the other songs. The lyrics say nothing, or at least nothing that hasn’t been touched on even in the same album, and even with Frusciante singing the entire chorus himself, I still am so bored with this song I would’ve skipped it by now if it weren’t for having to write about it. Tangelo is a metaphor possibly for lost love using citrus as the way to convey the loss. It’s somber, it’s sweet enough, if not a little listless. Since the album ends on this song and it just fades out after barely getting there with the light instrumentation, it doesn’t really punctuate things well.

Now this album I will say, is very much what to expect from the Chili Peppers in the last 20 years or so. Be that good or bad, is up for you to decide. As for me, I’ll say listening to it again helped me appreciate some aspects more, but this is middling with some high points to put it nicely. Firstly, 17 songs (18 for the Japanese bonus track edition), is too damn much. I remember buying Stadium Arcadium and only really listened to the Jupiter disc, I literally had to Google what was on Mars just to confirm those songs were unknown to me. If you’re going to have an album over an hour, don’t end with a wet fart. You need to keep the energy up and end on a high note, and the fact that the last two songs are just really lacking, slow or kinda bad…is an awful way for people to walk away from the record.

It’s not a trash album, but it does go on too long, and some of the cool parts drag it up a little from mediocre. But this is like 6 songs worth listening to and the rest are skippable unless you love the Chili Peppers. 6 good songs…6 sounds like a good number to rest at.

Final Judgment: 6/10

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Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

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Entertainment

Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (5/9/25)

June will be electric!

Published

2 days ago

May 9, 2025

Steven Mitchell

Prepare for the most electrifying even of the HPW calendar!

While the stage is set for Blood & Thunder 4 and the HPW World Trios Championships, HPW must also address the return of KAGE!

Thundra Plateau is ready.

Wrestling is Life, but life has its stormy weather. The rain is going to be hot in June, but will the reign continue through the Summer? The Dark Forces may have failed to take the Undisputed Triforce World Championship from Zelda, but they still have the World Trios Championships. Harlequin, Lupay & Glutko will step inside the double ring, double cage to defend their gold. On one side, Arrow Club’s special combination of Fin Balure, Torbevito & Bad Croc Scaly. On the other, a new combination of its own in Cia, Lana & Midna.

Speaking of Cia, Lana & Midna…

The three of them are together, dressed in workout attire, in what appears to be a dance studio. This is a collaboration stream for Midna and Lana as they’re both big presences on the internet, aka “influencers.” Lana and Midna wave and say hi, and they give introductions, including Cia, who is reluctant to be standing there. Cia doesn’t know why they need to do this. Lana says they have to improve their teamwork. They may have won against Los Taros Locos, but it was really sketchy there for a second. Midna adds that doing a dance routine together is great for their timing and coordination.

Cia says she didn’t mean that, she meant having to stream it! Oh, well obviously, combining Midna’s viewing audience with Lana’s, and HPW’s overall, this makes huge numbers! So? And huge money…! Cia raises her eyebrow and says, “Oh really?” The trio sets up, and Lana says obviously they first have to learn the steps. Midna brings up, “Wait, what song are we dancing to?” Oh, good point. Lana was thinking something from Lulu. Cia asks, “Lulu? From the Indigo-Go’s?” Midna says Lulu’s got a great solo album. Lana agrees! That’s so great that they like the same music. Cia isn’t as familiar with her solo stuff, so she’ll rely on them for this.

Lana suggests they go with Energetic Me. For one, it has the most energy, duh. And it still has a dance vibe, which is the whole point. Midna says she might’ve gone with Royal Discotheque or Ten Outta Ten, but she sees Lana’s point. Lana shows them the dance moves she has in mind. Left arm up, bent at the elbow, and the hand up against the side of the chest. Then they switch so the right arm goes up to mirror that position while the left hand goes back to the hip. Maybe add a little hip pop as that happens. Do that a couple times, and then turn to the right. This puts the left hand on the back of the hip, right hand on the back of the neck for a sexy pose.

Then you turn to flip it the other way, then do a 360 with a big neck whipping, hair flipping move. Then finish with feet apart and double V’s up by the eyes, maybe with a wink. Cia says, “Yeah, okay…” while Midna says, “I like it!” Midna says she’ll set up in the middle. Cia asks why Midna is in the middle, and Midna says it’s symmetry. She’s the tallest, Cia and Lana are about the same, it makes sense. Yeah, but it also means Midna is the center of attention. Well, that’s just coincidental. Lana says it doesn’t matter, the point is them doing it all in synch. Cia sighs and says, “Fine.” Midna is in the middle, Cia is on her right, and the music plays.

Left arm, right arm, left arm, right arm, pose to the right, pose to the left, 360 spin and neck whip, then double V. Midna nailed it, but Cia was lagging. Cia defends she was not, but Lana says it’s alright, they’ll just keep trying. They run through it a couple more times, they do tighten it up, and all three feel really good about how that went.

The Dark Forces are watching.

They aren’t impressed by the “little dance party.” Harlequin says the Faces of Evil are way better anyway. Especially with the classics like the Thriller dance and Macarena. Zant says, “The Macarena? Pfft, and people think I’m a dork…” Harlequin says, “Don’t you dare mock the Macarena!” Harlequin changes tabs on the computer and starts playing the song! After the introduction, he lifts his right arm up flat, then his left. Then he turns the right hand up, the left hand up, puts his right hand on his left shoulder, left hand on right shoulder, then moves right hand up behind his head, and then his left.

Now his arms crisscross, right hand on left hip and left hand on right hip, to then switch so right hand on right hip and left hand on left hip. And of course, he swivels his hips in one big circle to go with “HEY~ Macarena! AIGHT!” Zant rolls his eyes while Harlequin keeps going, jumping 90 degrees to his left. Ganon walks in, Ghirahim following behind, and he tells Harlequin to “turn that crap off.” Harlequin pouts but he does as told. Ganon seethes as he takes a seat in his big arm chair. “Needless to say… Wrestling is Life didn’t go how I’d hoped. What was Kage even doing there?! Did either of you have any idea he was going to betray us?!”

Zant and Ghirahim are a bit flustered. Zant isn’t even sure Kage was part of The Dark Forces at the time Ganon took ownership. He’d kinda gone rogue at some point, didn’t he? Ghirahim agrees, it didn’t seem like he was even aligned with Cia and the others. All the more reason for Kage to keep his nose out of Ganon’s business! If Kage cared about the Dark Forces, then he would’ve helped them fight back at HyruleMania, or any time since. Kage clearly just wants the title, same as Ganon, so he’s a dead man walking. Speaking of that… Where’s Kevin? He came back in April, why isn’t he here?

Somewhere dark and spooky…

Heavy footsteps can be heard echoing as Kevin Gibdo moves down the hallway. He speaks with a low, airy voice, “Majora… Your madness… spread like wildfire… You thought by setting me ablaze… I would crumble into ash… You were wrong! Instead, I have been purified…! Purged of flaws and weaknesses… I now come forth… as gold!” There’s a light at the end of the hall, and Kevin enters a grand hall, with treasure gleaming in the light. At the center is the sarcophagus. Kevin walks up to it, opens it, and then his burnt and tattered bandages fall away before he steps inside. The sarcophagus closes, then the eyes on it begin to glow… Then the entire thing glows!

The glowing becomes a shining light, and that shining becomes so bright that nothing can be seen. It is clear things between Kevin and Majora are not over. Will the Masked Monster even stand a chance once the Gibdo of All Gibdos is restored to full strength?

Back to the Dark Forces…

Shabonne says, “I’m sure Kevin is just fine doing whatever Gibdos do on their time off.” Tali says, “What matters is what I’m about to do to that tiny little weasel with the Goddess Championship. If The Dark Forces is gonna have all the gold, then I need to squash her like a bug and take that title off of whatever’s left!” Ganon nods and says he likes the initiative. Tali will start on her own Triple Crown as the Dark Forces will make Hyrule Pro-Wrestling their kingdom! The group cheers while raising a toast! And then Harlequin gets Glutko and Lupay to join in on the Macarena, to which Ganon groans and facepalms.

And so, the ThunderStruck card is set!

The double ring, double cage will rattle with Blood & Thunder as the HPW World Trios Championships are on the line! The Gerudo Ace looks to settle a grudge with the Hero’s Shadow! And now, the Million Rupee Championship and HPW Goddess Championships will also be on the line! Will the Dark Forces absolutely dominate the Summer? Be ready to endure the heat on Friday, June 20th!

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

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THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Bandwagon Nerds

Bandwagon Nerds #287: Filling A Void

The Nerds review Thunderbolts*, check out the latest trailers, and celebrate Star Wars Day as only they can!

Published

7 days ago

May 5, 2025

PC Tunney

The Bandwagon is stripped down this week as Dave and PC Tunney helm the ship for a big week in the Nerdosphere. Naturally, we are covering Thunderbolts as Dave, Tunney (and the rest of the Bandwagon, for that matter) all saw the latest entry into the MCU. What was the consensus, and did the longest post-credit scene in MCU history push the Universe in the right direction? In other MCU News, we discovered why Hawkeye had no second season. From there, the guys head into the Trailer Park to look at the latest, including a sizzle reel for Netflix’s TUDUM event, Dwayne “The Rock ” Johnson’s latest movie, The Smashing Machine, and a very creepy look at Weapons. GTA 6 got delayed, again….but could that be a blessing in disguise? But this Episode was recorded on Star Wars Day, and to commemorate the event, Dave tries his best to convince Tunney to watch Andor, while Tunney tells Dave what he likes most about one of the most successful franchises of all time. All that, plus Dave tells you why The Last of Us is the best show anywhere on TV. Dave & Tunney cover a lot of ground in an action-packed episode of BWN, so make sure you tune in!

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PROWRESTLINGTEES.COM/TheChairshot – Makes a GREAT GIFT!!!

About Bandwagon Nerds

Join Patrick O’Dowd, David Ungar, PC Tunney, Rey Cash, and DPP as they keep everyone up on all things nerd and maybe add some new nerds along the way. It’s the Bandwagon Nerds Podcast!