Jupiter; Song 2: Snow (Hey Oh)

This mid-tempo song initially comes off like a track left off from the “By The Way” recording sessions. A piece that tends to provoke feeling of pleasantness, it’s destined for success as a mainstream single. In fact, even though it is essentially an album track with no airplay yet, it has climbed to number 53 in the United Kingdom’s iTunes Top 100. No doubt this is to do with the fact that the United Kingdom, more than any other country, warmed up to the mellow style of “By The Way,” which performed far better in that country than any of Red Hot Chili Peppers’ previous albums.

Instrument-wise the band pulls of some neat tricks, such John’s use of pedals to mimic keyboard sounds with his guitar, and the band’s ability to pull of a nice groove from John’s initial riff, which is quite stiff and adamant. To me the song only really lifts into something special when the bridge comes in and Chad goes heavy on the ride cymbal (another “By The Way” hallmark), and John uses distortion beautifully to contribute to the soundscape of the outro. Not one of my absolute favourites, but I feel it does have a historical relevance on the album, appealing to the part of me that did like By The Way. I’m just glad I don’t have to listen to an album of it.