The Getaway
by Red Hot Chili Peppers
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Jun 17, 2016
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 294 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 238 out of 294
  2. Mixed: 34 out of 294
  3. Negative: 22 out of 294
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  1. geedup
    Jun 18, 2016
    6
    Have always loved the evolving/changing of the RHCP while hanging on the melody. As the years have went on, Keidis's voice is unique, as if their style. That being said, this album is (intentional or not) is geared for the radio. Where is the edge? Where are the dark undertones? By the 3 or so song, you can the direction of this album-with few exceptions. Too sweet for me.
  2. colinmonox
    Jun 17, 2016
    6
    Far different of a sound than "I'm with you", RHCP created something of a combination of the classic Peppers, and the hit-filled pop sound, with "The Getaway". While the album overall is interesting, none of the songs particularly stand out, or are memorable. Overall the album is good, but compared to the monumental "Stadium Arcadium", it is ultimately forgettable.
  3. cnally13
    Jun 17, 2016
    5
    If you were a fan of Stadium, you'll probably like this. Those of us who enjoyed RHCP when they were edgy, wise, funky and unflinching will be disappointed. Kiedis mails it in virtually every song, and he's still writing the cringe-worthy lyrics we've been hearing since, well, forever. He just has so little conviction it's impossible not to switch the song. The band sounds great, if aIf you were a fan of Stadium, you'll probably like this. Those of us who enjoyed RHCP when they were edgy, wise, funky and unflinching will be disappointed. Kiedis mails it in virtually every song, and he's still writing the cringe-worthy lyrics we've been hearing since, well, forever. He just has so little conviction it's impossible not to switch the song. The band sounds great, if a little over-professional. Worth a listen for fans, but don't expect anything you'll put on a career best-of mix.… Expand
  4. JungleMan
    Jun 18, 2016
    4
    New RHCP ? Great! But this album is..not what funs they could expect. This is regress, another after Im With You retreat from funk-rock style ? BSSM was progress! OHM other, new, heavier, a little darker style, but still there was a funk, now given in a different way.
    After first song i think where is classic good rock-funk style ? Ok, there was Fight Like a Brave, Give It Away, Shallow    New RHCP ? Great! But this album is..not what funs they could expect. This is regress, another after Im With You retreat from funk-rock style ? BSSM was progress! OHM other, new, heavier, a little darker style, but still there was a funk, now given in a different way.
    After first song i think where is classic good rock-funk style ? Ok, there was Fight Like a Brave, Give It Away, Shallow Be Thy Game but maybe only 1st track is like that...whole album will be better.
    When I heard the rest of the presented songs, maybe they fu(c)nk wiht us ? Maybe they show worst album tracks at the beginning ?
    Structure of the songs make them boredom, now almost all are too soft, slow with too much sleepy choruses, too much squeaky backing vocals. Female vocal is Ok, but if almoast all are same ? Its greats songs for all pop commercial radio stations.
    30-60 seconds solo ? Maybe in one song but in most older stuff we have much more guitars in the first plan. Now with Josh we dont habe guitars or they are push on third plan.
    Where are funk, trumpet ?
    Red Hot Chili Peppers - Yertle the Turtle - nozems-a-gogo -- to check on YT (links prohibited) ?
    The Greeting Song - soft Anthony vocal but look on tempo of the song...
    Sir Psycho Sexy - 7/25/1999 - Woodstock 99 East Stage - to check on YT (links prohibited) ? 7-8 min song!
    And no...Dreams of a Samurai is not the same! Anthony vocal style in Sir Psycho Sexy is muuch mooore funky and fun.
    Anthony vocal still has old style even on Californication but The Getaway ? OMG so boring.
    Red Hot Chili Peppers - Purple Stain (Album Version) - to check on YT
    "Red Hot Chili Peppers - Minor Thing - Live at MTV Jammed" - to check on YT
    but the newer album less good interesting, diverse of Anthony vocal style. Where shouts,rappin, sings a different timbre ?! So here we have much regress, nothing new (like some fun of new style try to sell their stuff to us).
    New album, new songs are so conventional. Refrain in nearly all songs are and soft, lulling ? Rock, funk-rock songs should have sometimes same or even faster/stronger/havier refrain.
    There are no more crazy guitar riffs like Hillel, John or even Navarro created in the past. No more Flea faster/heavier bass part. Sometimes bass appear, but not accompanied by enough fast drums, interesting riff.
    No more louder Chad drums. More expressive Anthony vocal ? Good joke. Trumpet, saxophone ? Sly and the Family Stone, James Brown, George Clinton..funk ?
    Red Hot Chili Peppers - Good God live in 2000 - to check on YT
    Where is Jimi Hendrix ?!
    Red Hot Chili Peppers Foxy Lady at Jimi Hendrix Tribute Show 1987 - to check on YT
    John Frusciante and Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Jimi Hendrix Experience" Jam to check YT

    Of course not all songs must be like No Chump Love Sucker, Warped, By the Way, Minor Thing, Sex Rap,
    (Red Hot Chili Peppers - Sex Rap - Live at La Cigale - to check on YT) Around The World but...But they have lost their old style, someting magic. There is no more funk energy, rock kick with great riffs, solos. Even Yertle The Turtle or Purple Stain wasnt fast and heavy but was cool, isnt it ?
    I was hoping for something new, not new poprock stuff. Maybe they should take to produce with Michael Beinhorn ? Buddies form Fishbone ? For eg last Pearl Jam, FNM or Black Sabbath albums still bring sth good music.
    Now almost all tracks are extremely soft, slow, sleepy choruses. No more guitars in the first plan, solos, miss funky style, craziness, varied songs.Probably some people (certain people are bieber sub/fans on YT) will like it, especially if they arent interested in their funk-rock style (Brown, Clinton, guitars like Hendrix), they like all pop songs, a shame to waste their style for crap like creativity.    … Expand
  5. PlugInBaby
    Jun 22, 2018
    5
    Not a brilliant album tbh. The two lead singles, 'Dark Necessities' and 'Go Robot' were great. The rest of the album just sounds like Coldplay ft. Flea. While I do like Coldplay, the stupidly bright sound doesn't suit RHCP that well, especially in the cringey title and intro track which is even poppier than the last TOP record.
  6. Chris182
    Apr 26, 2021
    5
    The main problem i had with their other albums was the poor songwriting. But at least those albums were fun enough that you wouldn't pay attention to the lyrics. Not only is The Getaway boring, but the lyrics somehow got even worse.
    Best Songs: Dark Necessities, Dreams of a Samurai, The Longest Wave
    Worst Songs: We Turn Red, Go Robot, Encore, The Hunter, Sick Love, Goodbye Angels, The Getaway

Awards & Rankings

23
#23 Most Discussed Album of 2016
24
#24 Most Shared Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Under The Radar
    Jul 21, 2016
    70
    The Getaway is generally a surprising success--the sound of a band having the intelligence to know when the time has come to move on and having the skill to actually achieve it.
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  2. DIY Magazine
    Jul 1, 2016
    40
    They’re an easy punchline, in fairness--perennial whipping boys, probably deserving of a break at some point--but when they continue to churn out nonsensical self-parody, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ continued stratospheric success is nothing short of baffling.
    Read full review
  3. Q Magazine
    Jun 29, 2016
    60
    An odd, deliberately unpunchy comeback. [Aug 2016, p.114]
See all critic reviews »