i was scared after john departure of the RHCP and the amazing stadium arcadium.at the beginning i listened the entire album and didn't surprised me or make me feel that peppers spirit and melodic sound of californication and by the way but the more i played it the more i like the new sound and start to appreciate josh

I've been a steadfast Red Hot Chili Peppers fan for many a year now. I own most if not all their music from the early beginnings to I'm With You and I thoroughly enjoy all of it and all their variety. A lot of the "professional" reviewers have seemed to made a lot of seemingly erroneous claims, for one reason or another and I'd like to address at least some of those. As many others have, I too have noticed that there are plenty of songs that are driven by the bass over guitar. Many people seem to attribute this to the lack of Frusciante and the presence of a "lesser" guitar player (either in terms of band presence or just simply skill), but I did not see it that way at all. Bass dominated songs are nothing new to RHCP; Flea has always been a prominent player compared to other bassists in other bands, but people seem wont to now place that on the lack of Frusciante. I think this is severely underrating Klinghoffer on the part of people who clearly don't have a good grasp of the breadth of RHCP's music and Klinghoffer's skill. I think there are plenty of songs that show off his talent quite well. For example, how many RHCP songs prior to Klinghoffer can you name that prominently feature the piano? Yet there are several songs on I'm With You that do so, such as "Happiness Loves Company" and "Even You Brutus" that feature piano or other keyboards. From the interviews and information I've been able to collect it seems that Klinghoffer was a large influence in the use of keyboards (as well as Flea). There are other songs that are heavily dependent on guitar. "Meet Me At The Corner" is a perfect piece that showcases Klinghoffer's skill with a very Hendrix/Frusciante style guitar line (but with its own twist), excellent backing vocals and even some surprisingly good lead vocal work from Klinghoffer as well. All in all I've been very impressed with his contributions to the band.

Personal taste may dictate whether or not one appreciates the album as a whole, but I do certainly feel like it is unfair to Klinghoffer to underestimate his role just because of Frusciante's shadow. Overall I feel like this album is an excellent culmination of the various styles and sounds that RHCP has delved into over the years. Kiedis' singing and lyrical content seems to have further matured, although he still maintains his signature quirks and odd lines. Yes, you can still listen to the album and tell it's the same band that was releasing albums decades ago, but there's so much more to this album. A song like "Ethiopa" clearly shows that they're trying and experimenting with many new things, not just doing the same old thing over and over again like some generic pop band. I think "Ethiopia" might show this the most clearly. The song is largely written in 7/8 time and starts off with a driving bass line. Klinghoffer's first entrance on guitar seems innocuous enough, yet through it's simplicity they create an amazing effect as Klinghoffer is essentially playing in a different time signature, 4/4, with just one note on every beat. It creates a subtly twisted sort of hemiola effect where in one measure he's in sync with Flea while in the next he is playing the upbeat to Fleas downbeat. They continue to play off of each other in this sort of opposing fashion off an on throughout the song. It's absolutely brilliant!… Expand

Awesome album! I've been a Chili Pepper fan for 21 years now because this band keeps making amazing music. When I first learned that John Frusciante had left the band I was definitely saddened by the news and didnt know what would become of my favorite band, but I also had faith that if Ant, Flea and Chad chose to continue on that they would continue to make beautiful, creative and rockin music. When I learned that Josh Klinghoffer had joined the band that sadness I had previously felt immediately turned into excitement and joy about the new music they would make together, he's such an incredible musician and I knew he was the perfect choice. From beginnig to end 'I'm With You' had me hooked, these songs are so great, I absolutely love it! The Chili Peppers music has been such a great and important part of my life and I love this new and exciting chapter in this amazing bands history.… Expand

I'm a big RHCP fan so this album has been very anticipated by me. Like a few others have stated, this album will grow on you and it doesn't take like, but you do have to give it a chance. Some of their past albums were like that as well, but I think that is the brilliance of RHCP. Their songs have so many layers to them that generally you have to listen to them a few times to really get a feel for the rhythm and the lyrics. Musically, this is one of their best albums. I also feel as if Anthony Kiedis' voice has gotten even better in this album. Much in the same way that I felt By The Way was recorded, I'm With You brings in some of the many things that make RHCP who they are as a band to their songs. Their funk, rock, harmony, and quirkiness really shine in their songs and it is what makes them so unique. The more I listen to it, the more I can't stop listening. Factory of Faith is catchy and easily my favorite tune on the album. If you like RHCP, then you'll love this album. Just remember to give it a chance.… Expand

Great album, not their best but if they put it out before BSSM it would have put them on the map for sure.
Even You Brutus? is the best song on the album
Goodbye Hooray is the second best
Look around is a close third
Brendan's Death Song, Ethiopia, and Police Station are other great songs (Police Station is probably my favorite of all of the songs it just speaks to my soul)

Upon first listen it struck me as a collection of some tracks you would hear on generic mainstream rock radio, and it still sounds that way. Repeated listens have proved more enjoyable, but let me make one thing absolutely clear. This is not a Red Hot Chili Peppers album. At least in the conventional sense. As is obvious to everybody, the Chili Peppers are a VERY different band then they were in the late 80's/early 90's, and since By the Way have proceeded to evolve into basically a different band. This is not necessarily a bad thing. By The Way and Stadium Arcadium have been criticized, and I can see why but I found both of those albums to be very good. This one really is an exception however. There is just no funk in this record, an element which is (or I guess I should say were) very important to the Chili Peppers music along with their whole image. The music borders on cheesy acoustic ballads at times and it just makes me and I'm sure many others wonder what happened to this innovative band. I'm not criticizing the band for maturing or experimenting with different types of music. As long as the artists are doing what they want and are happy with it, that is perfect.… Expand

This is a classic album finally for The Red Hot Chili Peppers after years of just getting by with singles. Sure there are not many hit singles on this one but that is why this album is even more special. It just goes to show that Rick Rubin is a God and everything he touches turns to gold. Monarchy of Roses and Dance, Dance Dance are fun and very memorable tunes while the 2nd half of the album is very deep and they finally let us inside the hearts and souls of the Chili Peppers. This is them at their all time best and it should be in everyones music collection.… Expand

I have been a RHCP fan for about a year now. They are a brilliant band and continue to make great music. This album is awesome! You can tell they are experimenting with different things in some of the songs. It is a different sound now that John Frusciante left the band. Josh Klinghoffer is a good addition to the band though and is a great guitarist in his own right. This album is a must buy for any chili pepper fans!… Expand

i just want to say that i cried in some tracks the first time i listened the album, in fact i cried to hours ago listening police station, i really love the album its a freash air to your face and josh vocals are amazing.

I love it... Absolutely have fallen in love with this album... The first listen took some getting used to, but i immediately saw the potential... then by the 3rd listen, i was hooked on everything.. this album haunts me in the most beautiful way... i feel like "I'm With You" is a better album than Stadium Arcadium.. and it's growing on me and starting to mean JUST AS MUCH to me as Californiacation.. I can sum up this album in one word: "DANCE"… Expand

Kiedis, Flea and Smith are all on top form here. Flea showcasing moreso than he's ever done before how skilled he is at the bass guitar, Kiedis is great at vocals, possibly the best he's ever been also. There are a couple of problems though: Frusciante IS severely missing, Klinghoffer is pretty good, but that's compared to an awesome guitar player. And a couple of the tracks aren't particularly impressive. It does move the Chili's forward, in a good way. It does however, require a handful of listens to get and understand the new direction they have taken. I just hope the guitaring improves next time.… Expand

I'm with you is one of the best (that's saying something) red hot chili peppers albums, every song is amazing except from dance, dance, dance which is still good anyway. the best song on the album is even you Brutus, it could be my favorite song of all time, it is in my top 5 red hot chili peppers songs!

I love the Chili Peps,they're gonna be rock and roll hall of famers and their still putting out good songs,and I'm with you is a beautiful album.IT has that funk element ,which makes us love RHCP,and Flea goes ape **** on these songs. Anthony's voice is nice and smooth,but there's more o be desired out of the lyrics in some points,but that doesn't stop me from singing along.A favorite track of mine is Brendon's death song.Chad Smith comes in and provides a pounding heart beat of a drum beat,while Anthony sounds sentimental and great like usually. Annie wants a baby is a good tune,it's as close as Kilingofer is gonna sound like Fruscante,it sounds Stadium Arcadium-ish. Josh's power is in his hold back,he doesn't goes crazy,but you can always feel his presence,and dingy sounding guitar,like on meet me at the corner and dance dance dance.Factory of Faith is a cool baseball referencing,funky ,sexual good tune.The hardest song is faster paced joint called Goodbye hooray,which I enjoyed. .This is a good album the Chilis didn't reinvent themselves,but they are still as good as they've ever been in their department and signature brand of alternative California funk rock.… Expand