In my opinion, RHCP is better in ever. Yes, the sound has changed over the years, but they are still making great, unique music. I think this album is really good, but By The Way is probably still my favorite (also a mellower album like this one). If you only cared about them for the funk, let your dollars speak and dont get the album. However, good artists grow and evolve. I would think we would appreciate that as STP fans.
Don't know if you guys caught this, but "Dreams Of A Samurai" on the new record has, what I think, could be a small Scott Weiland reference. Check it-
The day they found you on a tour bus
The news was barren as a desert bone
The tabloids made a kind of small fuss
A couple pictures shown