When Anthony Kiedis told Variety about the unspoken, unwritten law of Red Hot Chili Peppers, one where "anything goes, anything is welcome", the vocalist could've been talking up the gloriously manic mess of Unlimited Love (the anything goes bit), and the return of guitarist-composer John Frusciante (the "anything welcome" part) to the RHCP fold.
What is most welcome when it comes to the Peppers' sliding-scale-quality catalogue is focus, a cohesiveness given to Kiedis, bassist Flea and drummer Chad Smith almost exclusively by the solid, fancifully flighty melodies and impressionistic guitar work of Frusciante. Bringing back the Chili Peppers' most masterful producer, Rick Rubin, for the 17-song expanse of Unlimited Love is an additional exercise in finessed focus and wild-eyed frenzy.
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Summary:
Utterly unstoppable and unlike anything you're likely to hear this year.
