On the latest episode of the Broken Record podcast, Red Hot Chili Peppers John Frusciante and Anthony Kiedis joined host and iconic record producer Rick Rubin as the celebrations continue surrounding the release of the band's brand new album, Unlimited Love, produced by Rubin himself.
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Following last week's episode with thrice-returned guitarist John Frusciante, RHCP’s iconic frontman Anthony Kiedis joined in this week to discuss some of the lyrics on the new release, and more.
Kiedis recorded over 40 tracks of vocals at Rubin's studio in Kauai, Hawaii, over a period of five months -- a "necessary" process he says because he believes he "never would have been able to get that quantity of work finished in any other environment." The frontman adds, "that ambiance was magical... it was so nice to roll up and see you every day and get some of your calm and your take, and it's nice to not be distracted. In L.A. we have lives, and kids, and people, and traffic, and a whole different feeling in the air these days."
Anthony described his bike rides around his residence during this time period as a daily adventure through mountains, farms, rivers, bikini-clad women, and boats full of taro root. Some of those scenes, naturally, made their way into Kiedis' lyrical themes. In the song 'She's A Lover,' which used to be called 'Zap,' he explains, "I had that song song going through my head feverishly -- the melody, the music -- and that bike ride completely inspired the entire lyric: 'The flower's pink on the tree, But if you pick it to see. Will it be wild and free?' Because I used to drive past a tree every day that was covered in pink flowers and it seemed like a metaphor for a relationship. It's like, you admire this thing as it is, but once you try to dominate it or pick it, or make it adhere to your agenda, will it still be wild and free? Probably not."
"There's a tiny story worth mentioning about that song," Kiedis adds, addressing Rubin. "When we were recording the vocal in Kauai, you were looking at the lyric sheet and much to my surprise you isolated the lyric, 'unlimited love,' which really hadn't jumped off the page yet at me... and you were like, 'that's a really good title, 'Unlimited Love.' I made a mental note, and I was keeping a small list of possible album titles, of which that was my least favorite, 'Unlimited Love.' For me it was at the bottom of the list; I had these other, more Chili Peppers-esque titles. When the day came and we were mixing the music, and I went to visit John and Flea at the mix studio in Hollywood, I was like, 'guys, do you want to hear some possible album titles?' I read them my favorites, and I was like, 'there's also this title that Rick was kind of keen on..."
Kiedis admits, "Both John and Flea were like, 'oh well, that's the title right there.' I was like, 'are you sure? Because these other ones, they're very interesting...' They were like, 'nope. 'Unlimited Love,' that's it!'"
Listen to the full episode above as the trio also discuss Frusciante's third return to the band, and be sure to follow along with the Broken Record podcast from Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam, and Justin Richmond -- as next week's episode will feature the Chili Peppers' enigmatic bassist, Flea.
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The band is getting set to head out on a massive tour this summer with a 19-date North American trek kicking off on July 23 -- and they're bringing along the likes of Beck, The Strokes, St. Vincent, A$AP Rocky, HAIM, King Princess, and more. Grab your tickets right here.
Check out even more of your favorite podcasts and music curated for fans, by fans on Audacy's all-new stations like Red Hot Chili Peppers Radio, Alterna 90s, Rockternative, Alterna 00s, Rock N’ Road, Wake Up and Rock, ALT Roots, and The Roots of Rock for those who crave the early days.
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