A friend of mine left this disc on my desk the other morning. I listened to it once, but I was a little distracted during it, so I listened to it again and paid a little more attention. I was rather disappointed when it was over. Not because it's not good, but because it was over. This is a VERY good CD.
Inevitably, I was comparing it to the classic Blood Sugar Sex Magik and Mother's Milk which it falls short of. However, it is a very good CD in it's own right. I haven't been checking out the Chili Peppers since BSSM, so I didn't know what to expect. I found it to be a bit slower and mellower than the above referenced discs. I think they were aiming for that and they did a good job at it. I was impressed with the funky lyrics, the tight song structure and most of all, Flea's bass still lays down a beat that can't be touched. For the first time ever on a RHCP disc, I actually liked the guitar work too. It's tightly played and varied in style. I thought Keidis' voice sounded a little beat-up, and not as rythmic as the previous CD's, but it's also had a lot of mileage since then.
Songs like "Minor Thing" and "Don't Forget Me" are still ringing in my head a few hours after listening to it. I thought the bluesy-styled pickwork on "Don't Forget Me" was incredible. There are other high points, such as the acoustic funk of "Cabron" and "Throw Away Your Television," a good song with a great message. I think my favorite song is the old-school Chili sound of "Can't Stop."
I've heard from some people that the Red Hot Chili Peppers lost thier edge after the hit "Under The Bridge." You can't prove that to me, after listening to this one. This is one of the few new release CD's that I didn't just find one song I like and throw away the rest. I liked this CD and would recommend it, especially if you are already a Red Hot Chili Peppers Fan. If you aren't I would say pick up Mother's Milk and Blood Sugar Sex Magik first, but don't forget this one.
Article comments
1 - jose gallardo
nothings more funkier than flamenco
2 - jacko
OH MY EFFING GOD
this CD is soooooo good
i agree though blood sugar sex magik is by far their best album..well i think so anyway
3 - Eric Olsen
Mother's Milk is my favorite, but their later stuff is great also. I agree with Jim that this one is very solid, as was Californication
4 - BoggyWoggy
I keep this CD in my disc changer in my car at all times. It revs me up before work and calms me down on the way home. My kids and I sing all of the harmonies...
A fan since the late 80's