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Slow Cheetah
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Wikipedia article
'Slow Cheetah' is a song from the Red Hot Chili Peppers' 2006 album 'Stadium Arcadium'. The song is characteristic of the band's stylistic shift from rap and funk towards a mellower sound, evident in their latest albums. Slow Cheetah is one of the few songs on 'Stadium Arcadium' to feature the use of an acoustic guitar.
Critical response
Andrew Perry of 'The Observer' notes that within the dreamy, anthemic atmosphere of Slow Cheetah, the Chili Peppers transmute their funk and metal into a much mellower and softer style, whilst sacrificing little of their passion and energy.Perry, Andrew. 'Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stadium Arcadium'. 'The Observer' April 23, 2006. [http://observer.guardian.co.uk/omm/10bestcds/story/0,,1756922,00.html] David M. Goldstein of Cokemachineglow writes that Slow Cheetah is an example of how the band has learned to function in slower tempos without inducing sleep. Goldstein, David M. 'Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stadium Arcadium'. 'Cokemachineglow' May 29, 2006. 'Stadium Arcadium' received generally positive reviews, and won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Album in 2007.
Musical techniques
For much of 'Stadium Arcadium', guitarist John Frusciante experiments with a vast array of synthesized effects, many of which are reminiscent of the idiosyncratic timbres found on 2004s 'Shadows Collide With People'. The ghostly outro of Slow Cheetah is a clear example of Frusciantes affinity for psychedelia, and provides a stark contrast to the songs acoustic beginning.[https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/08/arts/music/08choi.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all&oref=slogin 'New CDs'. 'New York Times:' May 8, 2006] The backwards guitar at the songs outro is similar to 1991s Give It Away, where Frusciante used the same technique. Both Slow Cheetah and Give It Away draw heavily from Jimi Hendrixs guitar technique in Castles Made of Sand, as well as from the famous backmasking in the Beatles' song Tomorrow Never Knows. The song is in the key of B-flat minor.
Opinions from the band
Regarding the new sound of such songs as Slow Cheetah, John Frusciante writes that the Chili Peppers have made music that can drive you to a place where nothingness is motion and movement and stillness are one. [We] have played with light, darkness, sound, silence, form, air, and space to make music that plays with the listener. Frusciante also noted the band desired a greater emphasis in the emotional power of their music in 'Stadium Arcadium'.Frusciante, John. 'Red Hot Chili Peppers Official Site'. Flea has also stated in an interview that 'Slow Cheetah' is his favorite song off the Stadium Arcadium record.[http://www.redhotchilipeppers.com/news/bio.php]
References
Category:Red Hot Chili Peppers songs
Category:2007 songs
Category:Song recordings produced by Rick Rubin
Category:Songs written by Flea (musician)
Category:Songs written by John Frusciante
Category:Songs written by Chad Smith
Category:Songs written by Anthony Kiedis
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