Red Hot Chili Peppers New Album 'I'm With You' Is Not a "Comeback," Says Anthony Kiedis

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have released their first album in five years, titled I'm With You, a move which many are calling a comeback for the band after its two-year hiatus. But frontman Anthony Kiedis disagrees with the use of the word "comeback," explaining that the group simply reflected on the music they wanted to create and release.

"What did we come back from? Malaria?" Anthony told MTV. "We took a moment to reflect and consider the possibilities, and we're really fortunate Josh Klinghoffer was available and wanting to join forces with us.

He added, "We didn't really ever lose full momentum, so it wasn't like we disbanded and re-banded, we just got kind of flotatious and then reformed together in a new configuration. 'Comeback' sounds like you quit and then started again, we didn't quite quit."

And new guitarist Josh Klinghoffer said the band needed some down time.

"It's the first time the band took more than a couple months off probably in the last 10 years," he said.

The time off also allowed the group to put out something "fresh" according to Anthony.

"It does feel incredibly fresh, and I feel as excited or more excited about this period — from the writing to the recording to the playing to the anticipation of going on tour — as I've ever felt about anything that we've done, from the beginning," he said.