This album sees something that all fans of any band view with a fairly large dose of fear: a line-up change. After a key role in five of the band’s phenomenally successful albums, guitarist John Frusciante is no longer a Chili Pepper, having chosen to focus on his solo career.

Stepping into some of the biggest shoes in the rock music world is Josh Klinghoffer, somewhat unknown to the public but with an impressive previous career as a session guitarist for the likes of Beck and Gnarls Barkley.

Sadly this may somewhat shake the beliefs of any who see change as an enduring force for good: with Klinghoffer’s arrival the Chilis seem to have completely lost the plot. The first single, 'The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie', left many underwhelmed. That is nothing in comparison to the feeling of disappointment that a large proportion of fans will experience on working their way through the almost completely mediocre 14 tracks.

It is obviously unfair to lay the blame for the band’s loss of direction completely at the feet of Klinghoffer. However it does become swiftly apparent on listening to much of I’m With You how significant Frusciante’s role was in creating and defining the music that the Chilis played. Although on songs such as 'Did I Let You Know' and 'Annie Wants a Baby' a hint of what the band used to be all about can be heard, the real problem with I’m With You is that there is no cohesion. Songs contain breakdowns that appear out of nowhere, chord changes that make no sense and lyrics that even Anthony Kiedis can’t pull off (try “I like you cheeky, oh so Mozambiquey” for size).

If this was a first offering from an unknown band trying to find their sound then it might create a somewhat better impression, but as the new album from one of the most successful and celebrated rock bands of all time, the seemingly random combination of ideas that is I’m With You comes across as decidedly lacking.

[2/5]