New album reviews: Red Hot Chili Peppers get experimental; Case/Lang/Veirs triumph as new trio

Red Hot Chili Peppers, "The Getaway" (Warner Bros.)

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are long past being the Los Angelino rude boys renowned for wearing gym socks on their genitals and making jolting, head-thrusting punk-funk. Singer Anthony Kiedis, drummer Chad Smith and bassist Flea are in their 50s. They're certainly still spry enough to do the "freaky styley" if they so desire (new guitarist in a series of many, Josh Klinghoffer, is just 38), yet after 10 sound-alike studio albums, a radical change was in order for No. 11. Hence, "The Getaway," a refreshingly spacious, often experimental work produced by Brian "Danger Mouse" Burton.

RHCP takes to the Mouse's atmospheres and rhythmic twists with ease. As with the chart-breaking ballad "Under the Bridge," Kiedis' crooning and Flea's fluid bass line make "Dark Necessities" a smooth-yet-salty adult cut. Though his idea of romance on "Goodbye Angels" and "The Longest Wave" is creepy (lyrics like "Under my skin and half my age"), Kiedis sings with calm, Beatles-ish lilts.

Not that RHCP doesn't let its stammering freak flag fly. "Go Robot" is a rhythmic workout driven by Danger Mouse's frizzled synths. "Dreams of a Samurai" is Flea at his jam-band best, and the wonky title track rocks crisp and hard.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have finally grown from boys to men. Good.

a.d.amorosi, Philadelphia Inquirer

Case/Lang/Viers, "Case/Lang/Viers" (Anti-)

Sure, k.d. lang may be the most familiar, but the "Constant Craving" singer's work with New Pornographers' Neko Case and indie-folk standout Laura Veirs shows that her knack for picking great collaborators is alive and kicking. This album is packed with one treat after another, as each singer makes her mark with support from two remarkable singers.

Lang takes the lead on the gorgeous first single "Honey and Smoke," with Case and Veirs offering '60s girl group harmonies to set off her lush croon. That setup also works well on the elegant ballad "Why Do We Fight?"

But Case/Lang/Veirs is definitely a collective, as shown in the lovely, dreamlike "Delirium," with Case singing lead but clearly affected by lang's more languid vocal style.

On Veirs' "Best Kept Secret," the bounciest of the album's 14 songs, the influence of Case's main band New Pornographers can be felt, along with the joy that lang and Case exude on the backing vocals.

Case/Lang/Veirs is built on that spark — the thrill of trying something new and seeing it flourish immediately.

Glenn Gamboa, Newsday

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