Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Red Hot Chili Peppers: "Stadium Arcadium" Review

It's no secret that the Red Hot Chili Peppers happen to be one of my favorite rock bands, but don't get it twisted though. Even though I might be a fan of a specific artist, I won't apologize for them if they come out with a wack product, I will even bitch and moan about the piss poor quality of an effort even louder than lifelong detractors of said group. For example: I'm a Common fan, but when he dropped "Electric Circus" it was clear to me immediately that that CD would be used only for me to put drinks on, or throw at somebody like a Chinese throwing star. I liked DMX but had to admit his second release was wack, was a big eminem fan but had to admit that he drops sub-par albums, and as a big Nas supporter I had to yell the word WACK from the highest mountaintop when Nas dropped that "Oochie Wally" bullshit. That being said, I was quite prepared to give the most honest review of an album possible, even if it is a band that I adore.

When I got "Stadium Arcadium" and noticed that it was a double disk deal going on, I got the same nervous feeling I get when I climax way too fast and await the tone of disgust from the woman who was on the business end of my unimpressive phallus. I guess it has to do with the overall disappointing feelings I've had from double-disks in the past, from the unimpressive Notorious B.I.G release "Life after Death"(an album that would have better if they just had one disk of the best songs), to Jay-Z's subpar outing entitled "The Blueprint", I suddenly hoped that this wouldn't be a sure sign of disaster to come.

What I found, as I listened to the album while I downloaded pornography of a bubbled-butt Goddess that goes by the name of "Cherokee", was a Red Hot Chili album that is their best work since "Blood Sugar Sex Magik". The two disks are titled "Jupiter" and "Mars", and with each CD they have set a tone that would please any die hard Chili Peppers fan. "Mars" just proves that these Californians can rock with the best of them, with John Frusciante slicing any would-be critics to shred with his guitar licks of precision. "Jupiter", with a more calmer feel to it, is as funky as James Brown's tube-socks, as they make you believe that they went to some University somewhere, studied under George Clinton, and came out with a Masters degree in funk.

This album has everything, from their opening song entitled "Dani California" that makes your head nod uncontrollably, a retro vibe on the song "Make you feel better", they summon the Funk gods on the song "Storm in a Tea Cup", in true Chili Pepper fashion they plainly prove that they are better than you on the song "Readymade", the ever infectious "Snow ((Hey Oh))", and they tear the fucking roof off with songs like "Warlocks" and "Hump de Bump"

One of the main complaints about this album is that it is too long, a feeling that I feel comes from individuals with attention spans of crackheads with concussions. Sure it is a lot to take in, over 28 songs, but I don't look at a shitload of quality songs the same way someone would look at an extremely long movie that they were forced to wast 2 hours of their life on. I look at 28 songs worth of quality Rock and fucking Roll the same way one would look at being given a year supply of great clothes, you can't rock every outfit at once, but you will get around to it at the most opportune moment.

Flea, bassist for the band said recently, "If you don't like this record, you don't like the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Period." I tend to agree with him. This record is for the masses but especially for the fans, not an example of most rappers and their bullshit "lets do this one for the ladies, lets do this song for the clubs" mentality, and it sure isn't blandly targeting a specific audience in a milquetoast, Mary J. Blige, "let me capitalize on all the downtrodden chicks of the world" sort of way. Granted, I've heard some bloggers express some hatred for the Chili Peppers, but the bands they like suck cock anyway and those pussies are not to be trusted. The Red Hot Chili Peppers, in a word, Rock.

20 comments:

High Power Rocketry said...

Wow this blog is worth 207,000 bucks.

Funny, do you think anyone would pay that much? That thing just dont work :(

Anonymous said...

amazing, i completely agree.

Anonymous said...

I am not a fan of rock.. I will listen but its not a choice. That being said I will go and have a listen to this album, just to broaden the mind.. plus if there is funk to be found I want in..

P.S. ~~a bubbled-butt Goddess that goes by the name of "Cherokee"~~ This is why I know I can trust you because that statement is barnone ..On Point.

Lowe said...

This album rocks, it really shows what they can do.
The thing that first came to my mind is that the foo fighters also made a 2 cds album.......i hope Metallica follows :S

Jameil said...

can i get that year's supply of great clothes please?

Anonymous said...

High-5 on that electric circus comment. I too was like, aw no my boy den fell off, but that was short (well kinda) lived. Now as for the RHCP's. They should anticipate a nice come back effort, especially when bands like US are still out there. I honestly can't stop listening to the Fall Out Boys..

chick pea said...

thanks for dropping by..are you going to see them in concert? still thinking about hitting chicago for lolla...

Anonymous said...

I love the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and in my eyes they can basically do no wrong. So I would say they are correct that any of their real "fans" will love the album.

Unknown said...

Hi, just repaying the visit :-) Great review BTW

Coincidently, Blood Sugar Sex Magick is my favourite Chili Peppers album so far.

Say Yeah said...

That was the "Blueprint II", for the record and I wholeheartedly agree. The orginal Blueprint was a classic.

Anonymous said...

I take my hat off to you. It's a fucking amazing record. and 28 songs? The wa y I see it is the more chili peppers stuff in the world the better. FACT.

http://letsgetrocking.livejournal.com/

justacoolcat said...

This is reassuring to hear.

After the two hippie folk sounding songs I have heard so far, I was a bit worried the RHCP was getting soft in their old age.

Inside Man said...

Agreed. This album is supreme. I favor the Jupiter disk over Mars but still love the quality on both.

Hats off to the Chill Peppers....

Anonymous said...

to be completely honest i was very dissapointed with this album. its very pop oriented and I think it sounds just like their recent album, "By the Way". I was hoping for the chili peppers I know and love, the ones that expand on their style of music with variety, like One Hot Minute (awesome) and Blood Sugar Sex Magic (even better). im quite surprised to see no reviews/comments that have a negative opinion on this album. and i even read someone praising flea... in my opinion the ones that stood out were anthony and john.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, this album kicks ass, there might be a reason why you havn't seen any negative revies. The album is dynamic, and the Peppers kick supreme ass, no doubt about that. Flea is the man, his bass is even more an extreme force now as it has always been.

Amar said...

This album is dope.

As a 92% hip-hopper, i don't delve into many rock albums but I've always had a spot reserved for the Chili Pepper's. This album cemented them as fuckin bad asses (in my mind anyway).

In short, lovin the album.
I might even go out and actually purchase the cd... nah fuck dat.

Anonymous said...

I agre with you completely, dude. I don't get people on other sites though, I've seen many bad comments about how long the album is and that it sounds like By th way. People thinks that this album sucks because its long and sound like the peppers always have. Fucked up people that is. Of course it sounds like their previous work, it's the same fuckin band.. Anyway this album is, with BSSM the best albums ever. It contains all different styles the peppers have had through the years. Real beatiful guitarplaying by John and better then ever vocals by Anthony. I'll say waht Flea said,"if you don't like this album, you don't like th red hot chili peppers. I have to agre completely.

Anonymous said...

This album is amazing, and for those who complain "the chili peppers are not like they used to be" ie bad, wild and out of control it's becuase eventually you have to grow up. The peppers have never been a band which conforms to what the public expect. After stadium arcadium the red hot chili peppers must be recognised as the most innovative, origial sounding band of our generation!!!

Wesley said...

Yes Chili Peppers are great. People bitch because they "aren't like they use to be" for the same reason NIN fans bitch about With Teeh, they fear change.

Anonymous said...

I hate when people continually bitch about how the chili peppers are not the same, and they have mellowed out and whatever. They have matured as artists, and as people. They are not always going to talk about having sex like in Blood Sugar Sex Majik. I think Stadium Arcadium is among one of the finest albums the group has ever done.There are so many great tracks,and they truly stand out with their unique sound.I applaud the group for a job well done.