Up next on the chopping block is a band who I remember hearing on pretty much any rock radio station. That band is The Red Hot Chili Peppers. Now I’m only really familiar with their hits so this one should be interesting. Let’s take a look…..
Red Hot Chili Peppers- I sort of knew that they had started in the 80’s but never really knew that they had been around since 1984. Now if you are expecting an album like Californication then this isn’t the album for you. It’s less of a funk rock record and is more of a hip hop album. Totally not what I was expecting but personally, I feel like it could’ve been shortened just a little. Overall, a decent first album and I give it 6/10
Standouts: Baby Appeal, Green Heaven, Police Helicopter
Freaky Styley- this one again continues pretty much in the same style as the last album. Now here, it seems to have some funk elements mixed in but at the end of the day, it’s pretty much a hip hop record. Again, I found a lot of these songs to start to get repetitive after awhile and found myself waiting for them to end. Nothing special here and I give it 5/10
Standouts: American Ghost Dance, Jungle Man, Freaky Styley
The Uplift Mofo Party Plan- so here we sort of have a change in sound. This album has some rock elements mixed in now. It’s less of a hip hop record and more of a funk rock record. This would also be the last album with original guitarist Hillel Slovak who would later die from a heroin overdose. Overall, it’s better than the previous two albums. The production is better and the songs are more focused. I give it 7/10
Standouts: Skinny Sweaty Man, Fight Like a Brave, Love Trilogy
Mother’s Milk- first off I want to say this is a weird title for a record. Now the record itself sees the band go in a sort of hard rock meets hip hop direction. The songs and the band are tighter and you can hear them start to evolve on this one as well. This would also be the first album with new guitarist John Frusciante and eventually, new drummer Chad Smith would join and play drums on the album as well. Overall, a solid album which is considered a classic. I give it 9/10
Standouts: Subway To Venus, Good Time Boys, Fire
Blood Sugar Sex Magik- ok so if anyone were to ask what’s the quintessential Chili Peppers album, I would tell them to listen to this album. This was my introduction to these guys as I remember the video for Give It Away being played on MTV back when they’d actually play music videos. That and they were always playing songs off this album off this album on the radio. This would also be the last album with John Frusciante on guitar. It’s a great blend of rock and funk and is easily a 10/10
Standouts: Mellowship Slinky In B Major, If You Have To Ask, The Power Of Equality
One Hot Minute- like the last album, I remember always hearing the song Aeroplane on the radio and in fact, it was that song that introduced me to the Chili Peppers. As much as that song was on the radio, I feel like now, it’s never played there or even live. Anyway, since John Frusciante is not on the album then who would replace him? Why Dave Navarro from Jane’s Addiction of course. This would be the only album with Navarro on it and he actually does a pretty good job filling in for Frusciante. I actually really like this album and find it to be really underrated. While not as popular as the Blood Sugar Sex Magik, it’s still a good album and should definitely be listened to. I give it 9/10
Standouts: Coffee Shop, Warped, Falling Into Grace
Californication- as with Blood Sugar, this is another one where if someone were to ask what’s another quintessential album, I would also recommend this one. Now after Navarro and the band parted ways, they brought back John Frusciante. Now this album does not return to the sound they had on previous albums but it goes for a more rock sound. Yes there are some subtle hints of their funk sound especially on the opening track but overall, it’s jut not there. This album has so many of their radio hits on it so a lot of the songs on here you should recognize. Another classic and it gets 10/10
Standouts: Get On Top, Easily, Right On Time
By The Way- I remember being in Arizona on vacation with the family and hearing the title track to this album. Compared to the last album, this one is slower than the previous album. I don’t know I couldn’t get into this one as much as their other albums. It’s not a bad album but just not as strong as their earlier ones. I give it 4/10
Standouts: Don’t Forget Me, I Could Die For You
Stadium Arcadium- I seriously thought there were only two songs on this album. I mean the title track and that song Snow (Hey Oh) are so overplayed that I can’t stand either of them. Like they weren’t very good to begin with but seriously I can’t stand those songs. Now how’s the rest of the album? Well, it sounds like it was made to be played on the radio. Like the songs sound very commercialized. Not sure how to describe it. Another thing about this album is that it’s so long. Like seriously it’s a 2 hour album. That’s a lot of listening. It should also be noted that this is the last album with John Frusciante yet again. Anyway, they’ve done better and I give this 2/10
Standouts: Torture Me, 21st Century
I’m With You- this one is on the softer side however, it’s actually not a bad record. I know all the John Frusciante fan boys out there will say that this band is dead without him but his replacement Josh Klinghoffer does a pretty good job filling his shoes. To me, this album starts to really pick up about half way through but overall, not a bad album. I will give this one 7/10
Standouts: Did I Let You Know, Goodbye Hooray, Happiness Loves Company
The Getaway- it’s almost as if the older these guys get, the mellower their music becomes. I’d actually say it’s more of a continuation from the last album only here they seem to have established themselves with their current lineup. I don’t know I found myself starting to get bored with this one but if you want some good background music, I’d suggest listening to this album. Overall, this album is ok. I give it 7/10. I miss the old Chili Peppers
Standouts: Go Robot, We Turn Red, Sick Love
This one was an interesting one to say the least. I didn’t realize that their earlier albums were more of the hip hop variety and this is a perfect example of a band whose sound is evolving although I’m not so sure about their new sound. I guess we will see with future albums.
Album Rankings:
- Blood Sugar Sex Magik
- Californication
- Mothers Milk
- One Hot Minute
- The Uplift Mofo Party Plan
- I’m With You
- Red Hot Chili Peppers
- The Getaway
- Freaky Styley
- By The Way
- Stadium Arcadium
Sinister Reviews 