Red Hot Chili Peppers

When John Frusciante quit Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2009, fans had every right to be sceptical about the band's future. After all, the long-time axe-man co-wrote nearly all of the group's most beloved material, and his melodic riffs and honeyed vocal harmonies were pivotal to career-defining albums like 1991's Blood Sugar Sex Magik and 1999's Californication. Well, here's the good news: I'm with You is by no means a complete disaster, and newcomer Josh Klinghoffer adds his unique flair to album's 14 songs. This new incarnation of the Chili Peppers still have a penchant for radio-ready anthems ("The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie," "Monarchy of Roses"), but the disc's most interesting moments come when they delve into new territory. "Factory of Faith" culminates in an electro-tinged disco jam, while "Happiness Loves Company" is a brash, piano-led cabaret stomp. The hooks aren't quite as strong as on previous albums, but there are enough stylistic curveballs to make this an effectively unpredictable listen.