I will type this up as I go along, this is first listen though and my opinions will probably change a lot after this:
- Monarchy of Roses was.. weird. Good but weird. Liked the outro. HATED the production though. Could be the rip.
- Factory of Faith was pretty old skool. Didn't like the guitar tone at all. Sounded very clipped. Good song though.
- Brendan's Death Song is AMAZING. Could totally see this as the next single. First track where I really liked Josh's playing. Sounded very By The Way-esque.
- Ethiopia: Love Flea's basstone and bassline, but that is expected. Josh sounds very Frusciante on here. I don't think I like how very chameleonesque he's acting on this record so far. The solo is very minimalistic, which isn't necessarily bad but it's way too repetitive for its own good. Good track nonetheless, great chorus
- Annie Wants A Baby: Dat bass. Flea instantly reminds me why he's my favourite bassist on this record. Very Frusciante-esque licks again here by Josh. He uses a scale here in some parts that Frusciante never would in RHCP though, so props for that. Abrupt ending. Felt as if it wasn't finished to me.
- Look Around: Very upbeat start. Good stuff! Like Klinghoffer's effects on here. What the hell those claps. I have no idea what they thought when they were doing that in the chorus. They seem out of place.. For now. That bridge hell yes dat bass. The harmonies are great here too, very psychedelic. Overall the second track where I feel Klinghoffer's contribution is really good.
- The Adventures of Raindance Maggie: Still a great song, that is all.
- Did I Let You Know: Good stuff. Very summerish lead guitar. Hey Josh's great voice as a second lead in the chorus. They should've let his voice shine more like they do on this track. Cool stuff. Flea's trumpet skills hell yeah. Seems like a track they won't perform live though, which is sad. (Flea can't do trumpet and bass at once I guess) First solo I like by Josh. Good stuff. Very dynamic track despite holding the same groove the whole time through.
- Goodbye Hooray: Woo a harder RHCP track. A Phrygian (excuse my nerdiness) huh. Something I wouldn't see frusciante use. Good stuff.
- Happiness Loves Company: Ah, piano. Good stuff, very upbeat again!
- Police Station: Wow really good stuff. Very laid back. This album is going places! Great chorus. Love the backings here. Chorus definitely has a By The Way feel. Great bridge.
- Even You Brutus?: I see they lumped all the piano tracks together and they are all great. This album feels like it's divided up into two parts now. Kind of like By The Way come to think of it.
- Meet Me At The Corner: Pretty relaxed stuff. Feel like this would've fit better right before all the piano tracks though. Still, good song, although Josh is going all John a bit too much again. Hey Josh lead vocals in the bridge. Good stuff. Don't see how those last 20 seconds were needed AT ALL though.
- Dance, Dance, Dance: Great bass line. Love the haunting guitar lines here. Overall a good song but not really a closer on first listen.
Verdict: Good album, definitely enjoyed it. It could be a grower, but I doubt it. We'll see!
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