By The Way was a monumental vision and album for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. It redefined their sound and image. In 2001, after finishing the Californication World Tour, lead guitarist John Frusciante collaborated with other band members and began to write By The Way. At this time Frusciante had been clean for almost 2 years; he had a new mind and would change the sound of alternative music's most popular band. The music moves away from the Red Hot Chili Peppers classic cross of Punk and Funk to a new, more melodic and emotional, sound. Frusciante formed an emotionally provoking soundscape across the entire album. He was influenced by musicians such as Vini Reilly of The Durutti Column and John McGeoch. Frusciante made use of textured and multilayered guitar progressions on By the Way. One of the most unique tools he used on the album is a Mellotron. Wikipedia defines it as a "Electro-Mechanical, (Analog) Polyphonic Keyboard". the keys play pre recoded 8 second samples of tape underneath the keyboard. In addition to the layering and polyphonic analog keyboards, there is plenty of Do-Whop influenced vocals and no lack of that ever popular Red Hot Chili Pepper energy. Frusciante described the time he spent recording By The Way by saying "It [was] one of the happiest times in my life." In short, By The Way has more music, love, positive vibes, and energy than any other Red Hot Chili Peppers album Out there.
Dalley, Helen (August 2002) "Interview with John Frusciante" Total Guitar Magazine.
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