Reviews (page 5 of 14)
I could have lied
Great one, always on my DAP.
Solid album, could have been 10/10 of it was a few songs shorter.
Definitely some cool songs and good quality
Finally, some good fucking food.
classic
Love it. I wonder if this has aged even better than Californication.
Sexy sleezey American rock.
I have a soft spot this album, and it's mostly nostalgic but i do love it
Funky funky music! Talk about giving a diverse listening experiences 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Way too long, would probably cut 2-3 songs. Still a good time. Funky Monks and Sir Psycho Sexy are amazing. When the album hits, it HITS. Worst case scenario you get some funky Flea bass, goofy Anthony lyrics and a cool guitar solo from John. But play me a random song from the album and I there is 50% chance I will confuse it for some other song from their catalogue
Thanks Rick!
3. great song, never heard this before. love to hear the mellotron(not a sax but it will do). really cool drumming as well. 11. a fuckin' song of all time, thank you rick rubin for pushing anthony to do this song. 16. "...some demons in my semen" 19. some people say i hate covers, some people are special. absolutley great jimmyesque playing. another actual album, each song flows into the next perfectly. keidis is corny as hell but sometimes he really delivers, the rest of the band are rock gods.
Fun, groovy. They’re really talented musicians. I see what the hype is about.
My favorite RHCP album!
Reminds me of the early 90's
Already know this album well. An absolute classic. Loads of amazing songs on here: breaking the girl, suck my kiss, give it away, under the bridge, I could have lied. Probably their best album. Still edgy and dumb as well as being smart and heartfelt. Their later output doesn't hit as well.
..
Detta minns man nör man växte upp
Tie for me with Dice Clay as best Rick Rubin production of '91.
Some excellent songs. Tad too long though.
Funky abd groovy guitars. Felt like a hood break from the psych rock I was listening to and generally a great fun time.
It was a great album and classic Chilis but was too long
I like the Chili Peppers and this is one of their top outputs. The rhythm departement is undefeated, Flea on bass is amazing as always, as is Chad Smith in drums. Fruciante's guitarwork shows why he is heralded as one one of the best of his craft. Kiedis is...Kiedis. Yes his lyrisch are immature and sometimes hard to stand but I also cannot imagine the Chili Peppers sound without him. The record sounds amazing, its really hard to believe this and Californication have the same Producer, yet have vastly different sound quality. It's real weakness is it's length, just like all Chili Peppers records. The last quarter declines and a shorter, more consise record would have been amazing.
Phenomenal album with tons of hits. Non-hits can be a little hit or miss though.
love the guitar bass drums not wild over lyrics but sure innovative
Enjoyed the enthusiasm and musicality
It's RHCP, which means its good. Never listened to a full album of theirs before, definitely an enjoyable experience. Unbeatable mix of guitar and bass. Interesting to listen to Kiedis' lyrics. Some are better than others.
Best rock funk album out there.
Hell yeah
Das Album Blood Sugar Sex Magik der US-amerikanischen Band Red Hot Chili Peppers wurde 1991 im The Mansion in Los Angeles aufgenommen. Die Mitglieder der Gruppe stammen aus Kalifornien und verbinden auf diesem Werk Funk, Rock und Elemente aus Rap. Die Produktion wurde von einem damals noch relativ jungen, aber inzwischen etablierten Produzenten begleitet, der entscheidend zur klanglichen Ausrichtung beigetragen hat. Bekannte Titel wie „Give It Away“, „Under the Bridge“ und „Suck My Kiss“ spiegeln den charakteristischen Stil der Band wider, der auf diesem Album klarer strukturiert und zugänglicher erscheint als auf früheren Veröffentlichungen. Die rhythmisch betonte Spielweise des Bassisten sowie der Wechsel zwischen gesungenen und gesprochenen Passagen prägen das Klangbild. Auch ruhigere Töne finden ihren Platz, was zu einer größeren stilistischen Bandbreite führt. Das Album zeigt eine Band in einer Phase des Übergangs, die ihre musikalische Identität schärft, ohne ihre Ursprünge zu verleugnen. Es wirkt in weiten Teilen konsistent und durchdacht, wobei nicht alle Stücke die gleiche Wirkung entfalten. Insgesamt handelt es sich um eine richtungsweisende Veröffentlichung im Schaffen der Gruppe, die ihre spätere Entwicklung maßgeblich beeinflusste.
All I can say is certified banger
Power of equality has a cool verse the Guitars are simple melody wise on the main riff but works well with the bass and drums. cool but the chorus sounds like the song is falling apart due to the descending melody, kinda neat but also don’t know how to feel about it If you have to ask is quite funky but a bit uncoventional with the vocals and the strange guitar thing in the right ear in the chorus. Bass and drums perfect. Guitar solo cool. I like the ascending chord progression and melodies in breaking the girl. Gives quite the intense feeling. Good reverb on the drums, nice flutes gives a nature/folky feeling. Funky monks is not my favourite it just feels stereotypically ”cool”, up until the solo that’s actually f*cking cool. Suck my kiss, I both like the title but also not, it’s very on the nose. Who cares the song is great the intro just comes out swinging. Nice ascending riff at the end of some of the bars. The drums are amazing as well very good rythm. The chorus does the job, the breaks are alright. Cool double solo sounds like he’s breaking the amp. Good acoustic guitar work on I could have lied. Nice build up to the solo which is very soothing. Vocals are alright but could have been better, last sung line was very good tho. Second solo is great. Jarring transition between previous and Mellowship Slinky in B major. Not a fan of the walking plucked riff. The song transitions smoothly between the different sounds. Interesting instrumental break after using the Lords name in vain several times. Good transition into The Righteous and the wicked. Cool guitar after the pause. Good rythm guitar. Interesting dissonant chord progression in the bridge. Cool egyptian type solo in the middle. Nice vocals. Give it away nice snare drums in the intro like a machine gun. The mouth harp gives it a swampy but funky feeling. Very twangy. Give it away scratches the brain. Interesting reversed notes on the solo. Nice shoutout to Bob Marley. Cool riff in the outro. I can hear a faint tapping part on the second to last line which could have gone on longer because it sound nice. Blood sugar sex magik is the rare exception where I like the chorus more than the verse. The verse is fine it’s cool in it’s own right with the perv voice and it really owns up to the title. Cool solos, both the slow and fast one. Under the bridge is definitely the most conventional song, very easy listening. Good singing. Both chorus and verse are nice. The bridge scared me first because the drums built up a really powerful escalation but the chord progression stepped down, thankfully the outro stepped up to the call. Beautiful. Cool bass on naked in the rain. The vocals follows. Nice drums. Very tight guitar. The song doesn’t drop the energy until the bridge. Strange but good break. Solo is alright but not a favourite. The song doesn’t stand out that much. Apache rose peacock is not my favourite the melodies and everything is a bit toned back, I suppose to listen to the story. Sir psycho killer wow what a long song. More of a story song again. They’re red hot best song on the album. Interesting ping sound on the drums in little miss lover. The guitar has a very Hendrixy tone. Maybe inspired by little miss strange and gypsy eyes. Cool solo but there have been cooler on the album. I like the raw sound of the song The last song of the album Castles made of sand confirms my previous theory. The song is a good interpretation, less atmospheric and psychadelic. Cool solo after take it away Johnny. Good ending to the album
If Aerosmith and Funkadelic had a baby who was into rapping this would be the result. 4.5
I was not excited at all for this album. Red Hot Chilli Peppers are a band that I've had forced at me through friends, radio and party music. I knew a handful of songs on the album. Who doesn't with the state of radio in my home country? However, I've never actually sat down and listened to an album. Possibly out of spite. Possibly because I had formed an opinion. Possibly because I thought they were everything wrong with popular alternative music in my life. But here we go: Firstly, I was actually quite impressed with the range of music they produced in this album. I've come to associate the band with loud aggressive singing, that slap bass and Hendrix inspired guitar lines. 'Give it Away' and 'Suck my Kiss' are two numbers that I know well and I found them quite grating to listen to. However, across the rest of the album is a nice blend of funk, rock and even ballad in sections. I am sure I've had 'Breaking the Girl' shoved down my throat at some point, but I'm not sure I'd ever enjoyed the shift in guitars. This guy plays such a wide range. I don't really know the history behind him in full, but he's so diverse. Backed up by a solid rhythm section. Even I'm not too hipster to enjoy Flea. My take away is 'I could have lied', a nice bit of mellow melody brought further forward by great guitar work later in the song. The thing I didn't enjoy was the vocals. Frankly, they just pissed me off. Yes, he can sing. But I found it more often than not just a shouting/talking in my ears. It's an album that I enjoyed, but I'm not quite ready to slam it on repeat just yet. 4 Stars.
This album is like going on your first New Year’s trip with friends instead of family. Your sister doesn’t need her car for the holiday so she has been good enough to lend it to you. Now you and three friends are hurtling towards the Mount, Whangamata, Whitianga or wherever the hell you want. You’re flying down state highway 1 at 115km/h in a beat up old Honda civic, hurtling towards five days of surfing, drinking, experimenting with drugs and trying to chase girls for an evening of fun followed by absolutely no attempt to keep in contact afterwards. You’re not sure what you’re most excited about, as daydreams of all the aforementioned vices bounce around your head. No more low key days playing backyard cricket with the 13 year old neighbour at your family bach, it’s time to get wasted on Tui and run the beach as if it is your own debaucherous playground.
quiet liked it, don't know if i would listen on a daily basis, but wouln't mind checking their other albums.
Low/mid 4, real clear influences, great drums and bass lines
Felt surprised about a lot of the negative reviews. Perhaps it’s time and space for me but this album hits hard. RHCP are childish and lyrics are sometimes dumb but the musicians are exemplary which carries a lot no matter what.
Listening to this with your 11 year old daughter makes one acutely aware of all the sex lyrics.
HEYBADBADBADBDABADBA SWING Agree with the usual take that this is too long, but think most of the deeper cuts still absolutely slap. If the album ended on Under the Bridge it's an easy 10. But, it just....keeps....going....Sir Psycho Sexy can fuck off
It’s a good album by all metrics, I just have never really connected with this band. Having said that, this is the album that I like the best out of their catalog.
Mag ich! Ich kannte vorher nur ein Lied von dem Album aber mochte die Band auch vorher schon. Mag den Sound und die Stimme sehr. Hab nicht alle Songs so aufmerksam gehört, fand es dafür auch ein bisschen zu lang. Manche Lieder ein bisschen anstrengend aber überwiegend fand ich es gut Favs: Under the Bridge I could Have Lied
Nur teilweise gehört, aber prinzipiell mag ich den Red Hot Chilli Peppers Sound.
Wow - this one is a tricky one to rate for me! High on the nostalgia! When I was in year 10 a boy gifted this album to me, so I have some fond memories of that time in my life tied up with the music. I would give it 5/5 for the instrumentals, but since finding out Anthony Kiedis is such a disgusting fucking creep, I find it hard to enjoy the full music anymore. A few years ago I would have told you 'I could have lied' was one of my top tracks of all time. Plus his lyrics are pretty stupid. This album outstays its welcome (should have finished with Under the Bridge), and while it does have some great tracks on it and instrumentally is really fun and funky - I remember it more fondly than it actually is in reality.
top 3 rhcp album
Earlier RHCP is decent. This is probably their best work and nearly everything after is just okay, at best.
Their best album, this the formula they were working towards since the stat and simply what they have repeated since.
As someone who has listened to the Red Hot Chili Peppers' discography, I can understand why this album was selected. Blood Sugar Sex Magik was the record that skyrocketed their popularity, after Mother's Milk opened the door with John Frusciante's melodic guitar playing and Chad Smith's more intricate percussion playing. The only ingredient missing from their alternative funk rock formula, which Blood Sugar brought, was Rick Rubin's bolstering production and assistance with song arrangements and lyrical refinement. Probably the biggest example of the change in dynamic from Rubin was encouraging frontman Anthony Keidis to adopt a softer singing style with deeper introspection on tracks like "I Could Have Lied" and "Under the Bridge". The result is a greater emotional variance on this record in addition to the hard-hitting riffs and funky riffage. My only complaint with this record is a recurring issue with every other Chili Peppers record, which is the length. Clocking in at over 73 minutes, I admit to not always listening to the record in full. There isn't a bad track per se, as it is nice now and then to check out a deep cut such as the fast-paced "The Greeting Song" and the infectious groove of "Naked in the Rain". But this is another case of "too much of a good thing", where I more realistically enjoy this album in spurts than as a whole. Blood Sugar Sex Magik is still a phenomenal record, one that proved the Red Hot Chili Peppers were a much more talented act with the right focus.
Three of the most capable instrumentalists of all time, with one of the worst lyricists, and a pretty crappy singer to boot. Pros - undeniably great songs and riffs. Genuinely dirtily funky. Musically, flawless. Cons - probably 3 or 4 tracks too long. Would anyone really miss The Greeting song, for example? Lyrics aren't as uniformly awful as later albums, but still not great. Hard to listen to some of the tracks (eg Sir apsycho Sexy or Suck My Kiss) without thinking of Kiedis hitting on schoolchildren. An undeniably great album musically. If only they'd gotten someone else to sing it.
Good but outgrown
Alt rock
Still slaps
Amazing album that I remember being a little bit better.
Surprised how much I enjoyed this. I don't think there's a better RHCP album.
90% good songs. most of those are bangers bass work is so good even when simple, same for the guitar makes me miss playing my j-bass
mola
Nostalgia
Classic RHCP, and I like that. Another 3.5 star album, I'll round up to 4 because it has some favorite songs.
Blood, Sugar, Sex and Magic are all inside in this longplayer
Впечатляващо е как тези хора близо 20 години са правили все яка музика
Holy shit, the nostalgia. I was suuuper into the Chilis up through Stadium Arcadium. Saw them live too. Maybe the good memories will influence my rating a bit. Listening now, some of the lyrics make me cringe. Most of them are meant to be nonsensical, and I never took them too seriously in the first place. Some are disturbing in retrospect. And then you have Sir Psycho Sexy, which is wild. I did NOT pick up on all of that when I was younger. What I enjoy the most is listening to them work together as a band. Frusciante's harmonization is one of the cores of their signature sound. It adds this haunted element that melds everything together in an unexpectedly lovely way. And I love his guitar playing, too. The whole band is great, and I do like Kiedis's voice. I'm landing on 4 stars because there's a lot that could have been cut. Everything between Suck My Kiss and Give it Away could go. And a few songs at the end. But Under the Bridge is an all-timer. I still get top-to-down body chills, especially at the end when the choir sings - these vocals were provided by Frusciante's mother's and her friends from choir. Otherworldly. One full star for that song, at least.
I don't listen to RHCP too much any more, but Iistened a lot as a young fella. I guess I tried of them as they were played on the radio a LOT. They really do have an interesting and u issue sound. Power of Equality is one I'm not so familiar with, good time though. Some of the classics are on here-Breaking the Girl, Suck my Kiss, Give it away, Under the Bridge. Love the blend of weird funk and rock. Funky Monks is another bop. Sometimes a band comes along that's so good they get played until they irritate everyone. RHCP is one of those bands. I know some of the lyrics are a bit cringe at times but the power of the melodies is undeniable.
the rest of the album makes you realise just how good under the bridge is.
Standout Songs: Breaking the Girl Suck My Kiss The Righteous & the Wicked Give It Away Under the Bridge My Lovely Man Pretty good album but yet another that gets kinda same-y towards the end
Funky
funky, classic and funny. Their best imo. Frusciante is a beast
Funky and Rocky with plenty of melody. Great
Such an all over the place album that touched upon damn near every corner of music that would define the 90s sound. Ton of classic hits on here, but this was the first time I’ve listened to this album top down and Mellowship Slinky and They’re Red Hot came as fun surprises. Anthony Kiedis is a piss poor singer, but his raw passion combined with Flea, Frusciante, and Chad’s crazy playing are what make the Chilli Peppers.
Not my favorite album, but not their worst either. I still enjoyed this enough that I'd throw it on again. Funk Red Hot Chili Peppers
A lot of songs I will be playing again. The bass goes so hard in this album.
groovy slimy funk rock great start and memorable earworm rhythms, tasteful drums ,and influential guitar playing.
Sounds exactly like what you'd expect a Red Hot Chili Peppers album to sound like.
A lot of hate gets directed at this now, but boy, it was *everywhere* in '92/93, right when I was leaving high school and entering college. It's difficult to separate from that time in my mind. I think it's still pretty great AND all the criticism of Kiedis is totally right. But you can't take Kiedis out of this and get the same stuff.
Incredible album, right before most of RHCPs songs start to sound the same
Parts of this album haven't aged all that well -- the funk stuff especially -- but I do think when they move away from that, it's a pretty great album. "Breaking the Girl", "I Could've Lied", "Give it Away", "Suck My Kiss", and "Under the Bridge" are all pretty excellent songs. The rest isn't all bad either. Even though the first half of "Sir Psycho Sexy" is questionable, that coda is great. Too much filler, but I do think there's a classic album in here somewhere. 4 stars.
Letkeää, mutta tosi menevää soundia. Sitä mitä chili peppers on. Paljon klassikoita kanssa levyllä. Levy oli hyvän yhteläinen ja kappaleet vaihtu sulavasti seuraavaan. Ei kuitenkaan mitään uutta erityisen hyvää löytynyt. Parhaat: Suck My Kiss, Give It Away, Under The Bridge
This was a very pleasant surprise! I've remained relatively ignorant to the music of RHCP besides the popular ones your dad always listened to in like 2006. So to me they were just west coast Pearl Jam with some rapping. By the second song of Blood Sugar Sex Magik it became very clear to me that they were (are?) highly influenced by acts like P-Funk and dare I say Prince... Which I can always get behind :) The un-funky songs were pretty unremarkable to me, but still a welcome change of pace in keeping the album fresh for its 70 minute duration. How did I never realize they do funk rock... its like right there on their wikipedia page...
Ah yes. Blood Sugar Sex Magik. The album that put dynamite under TRHCP and blew them up onto the world stage. The album with all my fave tacks and a sound so undeniably Chilli peppers. This really is quite good, but I kind of feel funked out by the end for some reason. Just a me problem really.
"Suck My Kiss," "Give it Away" and "Under the Bridge" are quintessential '90s staples, but the rest of this album ... happy to give it away now ... and then do a little dance and drink a little water.
Not the best album I've ever heard but this is so good
GIVEITAWAY GIVEITAWAY GIVEITAWAY NOW
This album had a permanent spot in my Aiwa 3 CD changer from 1991-1992. Love RHCP (especially Flea on the bass) and this is their best full album. After the white rap-rock-metal fusion, going back to listen to this album sounds more derivative, but the Chili Peppers were really trailblazers and innovative at the time. 4.5⭐️
The best songs are great and innovative, but in a few cases they sound the least like the rest of the album. The highs are high (under the bridge, breaking the girl) but the rest is dragged down by repetitive funk slop. I think if this were ten songs it would be a great album.
This album had the potential to be a 5-star classic if it wrapped up at “Under the Bridge.” Up to that point, it’s packed with energy, creativity, and some truly iconic tracks. But after that, it starts to drag; more filler than greatness. Still, there's no denying the handful of songs here that have earned their place in music history. A strong album, just a little too long for its own good.
Possibly the best RHCP album and at least the only one i’ve listened more than couple of times. This album suffer’s a bit for the 90’s CD syndrome, when records were mostly over hour long instead of the 40-45 mins of the vinyl age.
Without question, RHCP best work.
Previous review, still stands: "This is a classic album at their peak of funk rock. Expert musicianship all round. Not my favourite of theirs, but career defining. Their top track is there in all its glory. It still sounds fresh and relevant."
This is one of those albums I can put on and listen to all 17 tracks, start to finish. As a young man, I was captivated by “Under the Bridge” and “Give it Away” and would often skip through “breaking the Girl” or “I Could Have Lied”. I find myself enjoying the 2 latter tracks more now. I love the intensity of “Suck my Kiss” and “The Greeting Song”. “Funky Monks, Naked in the Rain & Apache Rose Peacock have a cool, funky swagger to them. As does “Sir Psycho” but the lyrics get a bit much . Fantastic album!! 1001 album worthy: Yes - 90/165
Good collection of songs with varied sound. Definitely my favorite from the Chili Peppers
An interesting album for sure, several songs are rap or rap-adjacent, which I never expected (or wanted) from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Other than those, the remainder of the album consists of decent songs with the band’s unique sound, and awesome songs like Breaking the Girl and Under the Bridge. An album over an hour long is bound to have flaws. In this case I wish they’d cut it in half to remove the bad rapping and some of the less inspired songs.
One of the best albums of the 90s
I used to love this album so much. It still brings back some pleasant nostalgia, but the combination of what this band has become and reading Kiedis's autobiography have complicated my feelings about this one. It is possible that there is not an album I listened to more than this one between 1991 and 1993. I doubt that's actually the case but it is on the short list with PJ, Nirvana, the Metallica black album, Achtung Baby, and the GnR Illusion albums.
I knew of the Peppers before this album, but what a game changer! Critical and commercial acclaim brought many ears to this release that might not have given them a chance. "Give It Away", "Under the Bridge", "Suck My Kiss", and "Breaking the Girl" stand out from the rest. Another Rick Rubin production I am very fond of.
Casting sex magik on my diabetic partner to balance their blood sugar
Phenomenal album, but like a few others of theirs just a bit better.
Classic album. This came out when I was 13 and it has been in my life ever since. Only a few songs on it that I don’t cherish, and those few are full of hyper sexualized lyrics. It’s the only reason it doesn’t get five stars.
Extra point for nostalgia
RHCP hitting a stride. Funky with some straightforward tunes mixed in. A record that broadened popular music.
A classic early 90s album that spawned at least 5 singles that still get play today. And it's great, because past the singles you get to the other songs which are still really good and ooze with that funk sound. It's a little too long. And if you are of the opinion that Anthony Kiedis doesn't have the best delivery, I probably wouldn't argue with you. But I'm glad to have listened to the whole thing again.
So many bangers, some shanners. Under the Bridge should have been the last song.
Great album. A little blast from the past.
Cut maybe 3 or 4 songs from this and you got a 5 star album.
Probably the last good album by these guys before their slow, terrible descent into dad rock
A classic from my teen years. Ok, I understand the criticisms. The lyrics are often puerile. About half the time they're wildly immature, at other times completely pretentious. But it slaps so hard. I never loved Frusciante's guitar more than on this album. Musically it goes from extremely funky to really quite beautiful and melancholic. I Could Have Lied, My Lovely Man and, of course, Under The Bridge, are gorgeous songs and not at all in the "teenage boy obsessed with sex" mould. And yeah, Suck My Kiss and Give It Away might be a bit stupid at points, but they are so fun to dance and sing along to. Four stars because Keidis's grossness does make some of the lyrics yikes in retrospect, and I do think it's too long. But still a great album overall.
Tolles Werk mit zwei markanten Songs „Give It away“ und „Under the Bridge“. Leider wirkten einige Songs des Albums aber auch wie Füllwerk.
An interesting one. Back in the day, it would be an instant 5 stars. Given what I know now about the personal life of one of the band members, it's hard to separate art from artist. When I can do that, it's still an amazing album. Rick Rubin's input took the band to a whole new level. Maybe a touch too long overall, but a mighty good listen.
I can't call myself a fan of RHCP, but I appreciate the stuff they were putting out at this time. In high school I had a friend who was really into them, I went with him, to see them on this tour in '91 with opening acts (Nirvana and Pearl Jam) so this album was in heavy rotation for me. The hits were overplayed on the radio and MTV. So it's been awhile since I listened to this album in its entirety. The loss of Interest was helped, by the fact that the Chili Peppers became very mainstream, and never sounded like this ever again. I have lots of favorites on this album whereas I could listen to Give it Away at anytime, but then I would be okay if I never hear Under the Bridge again.
Good vibes, fun, quality music.
Interesting album. I remember my high school friends loved RHCP and I know this is their seminal record so I had some level of expectations going into this. I am also aware that it is overly popular for those in their angsty teenage years and then quickly falls off in favor with people as they age. As for me and my current opinions of the album, I thought it was pretty good. Definitely a strange listen with all the genre switching and likely not something I’ll return to much but I definitely enjoyed a lot of it even if there were certainly some redundant tracks and it was quite lengthy as a result. I’ll round up to a 4 stars today cuz I’m feeling generous.
With an infusion of electric funk. a tight rhythm section, and searing musicianship, this album solidly rocks!
Solid, not what I expected. Isn’t my normal type of music, but I think it was good to crack open a new arena of my taste.
Comes with the Peppers energy that I need to kick off the day. Still sounds fresh after 24 years.
It’s funk and although they generally got good released, this one is for sure pure musicianship. Very cool
I forgot how good this album really is. I saw these guys in concert a few times and they were just awesome.
This one is more in my wheelhouse than Joy Division. I think it’s a good example of a band at the peak of their power. Everything was coming together here - songwriting, playing, a fun mix of funk and rock- it all works here. Been an RHCP fan for a long time. I don’t love everything they’ve done, but I do love most of what they recorded here.
Before Maroon 5, the original California trash balls performed in the nude and put out some killer music. Is this cringe inducing? 1000% Does it slap? Also 1000%. I find that I like the Peppers much better on their funkier tracks: Power of Equality, Funky Monks, and Give It Away. Sir Psycho Sexy is a hell of a closer. (They're Red Hot being more of a silly post script) Under the Bridge is a notable exception and probably their best track though their later catalog puts up some stiff competition. This album is uneven as hell. Suck My Kiss was awful even before it got overplayed. Mellowship Slinkey, Blood Sugar Sex Magik (title track), and The Righteous and the Wicked are all low points for me. They could easily have been cut and made a better album. All in all, these 1 star reviews need to get over themselves and have a bit more fun. Flea and Chad Smith are a monstrous duo and John Frusciante brings a lot of flair to the band. These reviews are anonymous, stop trying to play cool and just admit that the music slaps.
this album kinda slaps (literally). this album is also pretty ubiquitous (especially the big tracks), so much so that this was the first time I've listened to this album and yet I feel like I've listened to it before. this album also is, unfortunately, kind of annoying lmao. like it's good. it's fairly high quality. it also makes me cringe out of my mind at points. I liked it but not everything was for me here.
Incredible punk funk rock.
Our 7th Billion Play song with "Under the Bridge". This album was hugely influential and fun.
Very good
Still rockin
I was a teenager.. Great album
Solid album
Best chillies album, love it to death. Loses a star because Anthony Kiedis is a big perv
Solidan album, ali ima par smaračkih pjesama, kao da su popunjavali broj pjesama na albumu. Ritam odličan, naslućuje se budući uspjeh rhcp-a, može se lagano slušati.
I don't mind Red Hot Chili Peppers. And this is a good fun, funky, entertaining album. But boy oh boy, does it ever go on for a long time.
15/04/2025 I enjoyed parts of the album and it's classic songs.
Non il mio genere e ho sempre odiato (immotivatamente i RHCP), però che bomba Forse un po' troppo lungo, ma bellissimo Canzoni preferite: Under the Bridge Sir Psycho Sexy Give it Away
Listened to this quite a bit over the years, and every time I listen, I hear some new, cool, groovy instrumental gem. Lyrically they are a bit of an enigma. A band that writes a song like 'Under the Bridge' but also some ridiculously absurd, but catchy 'Suck My Kiss'. Growing up on them, you get used to that being their identity. But let me say again, instrumentally, they are must listen for their punk/funk fusion pioneering sounds.
The highs are very high on this album with some eh’s in there too
Has a very distinct RHCP California 90s sound. The distinct bass and guitar licks. Puts you in a mood. Didn’t know Rick Rubin was involved but it makes sense
"Give It Away" marked the very first time I became aware of the Chili Peppers. Funky as funk. A great summery record, one for the ages.
das waren Zeiten ... :-)
I used to adore this album. Now, I still find it good and funky, but the length is too much, and the overt sexual themes got old. Maybe I'm just getting old.
I was not into Kledis's vocals on most of these tracks, but Frusciante, Flea, and Will Ferrell are so groovy it doesn't matter.
Well not my favorite but undeniably good music on here. I knew of some of these popular tracks and enjoyed a lot of the other ones, super funky!
RHCP's Best album ( IMHO )!
Straight back to 1991 when this was everywhere. Yes it's too long, and has dated a little bit, but 4 stars for Give it Away, and for being such a time machine.
Stabil
Although they annoy me, there is some solid tunes here
Que barbaro, no pare de moverme un segundo
3.75
brabo
I've never got into this album so I wasn't expecting much but having listened to it three times today I can say it's alright. Better than my expectations at least. Still believe it is been better for those who were old enough to listen to it when it was released (I was 5 or 6). Californication and By The Way still my two favorite RHCP albums with this one coming in third or fourth along with Stadium Arcadium.
Good
Great album by a great band before they sold out to the stadium rock they butcher these days.
I enjoyed this album.
The best and the most RHCP album out there. They've spent 30+ years trying to replicate the magic and have come close but nothing compares to the original. Certainly a moment in time if you dream of the first Lollapalooza wave; here is the magic.
7.5/10
Really enjoyed this album.
Such a cool album. Great band!
Iconic for a reason and just what I needed to wake me up in the middle of this work week.
I love me some RHCP, and there are some strong hits here. I agree with most that the album plays a little long.
It could be argued that the band hit their peak with this album. And while there’s lots of good tunes throughout, it’s just too long with at least 5 of them sounding alike. Shave it to 12 songs and it probably works its way into the top. From Uplift Mofo Party Plan to Mother’s Milk to this album: a solid triumvirate that clearly helped lead the 90s alternative movement.
God damn I love this! RHCP are one of a kind and enjoy the unique sound, energy and emotion they bring. John, Flea and Chad are a great music trio. Anthony’s voice is instantly recognizable even if his lyrics are not. Maybe a lil long but so many hits and songs (and visuals a la give it away video…were tube socks around this time too?) that defined this era of music. To end with a quote: What I've got, you've got to give it to your daughter You do a little dance, and then you drink a little water
Cut 20 minutes from this album and it’s a 5*. Simply overstuffed and drags. Great stuff, tho. 4.25/5
Definitely the best of the Chili Peppers! Whereas Californication has more memorable singles, this album is a lot more consistent. Just a solid rock album that shows why a lot of people love this band.
I loved this when it was released. It was great to revisit.
Good album but not as good as I remember it being. Under The Bridge is an all time classic song.
Every time I think I'm not gonna like their music I gets into it
liked this one, there was some fun tunes in there.
great production on this one (thank you Rick Rubin) "Under the bridge" what an amazing song
In my opinion by far not the best album by RHCP. But still powerful, creative, good rock with partly great songs.
Amazing album. One of the best 3 from RHCP imo, together with Californicaiton and By The Way.
Can we just acknowledge how awful a name “Blood Sugar Sex Magik” is for an album? Seriously, it’s cringe. Luckily the album itself is not (well mostly). I’d never heard an entire RHCP album front to back before. Not even “Stadium Arcadium,” and that was out when I was in middle school, the era of my peak musical awareness. I didn’t even know that “Give It Away” and “Under the Bridge” were two different songs because I’d heard Weird Al’s “Bedrock Anthem” and just assumed it was a direct parody of one song. Nope. I knew they could be funky, I knew they could rock hard, and I knew they could even have elements of rap in their music. But I had no idea they could do it all so well. I mean my goodness this is just filled to the brim with incredible grooves. I did find it funny that Anthony Kiedis definitely sounds like Elvis Costello at times, at least to me. There are some misses here, either for lyrical content or just because they weren’t as high as the highs. Some lyrics were straight up 90’s cringe, but I can largely forgive them for that because, let’s be honest, they were probably edgy back then. I loved this. I even loved the worst-named song on the album “Suck My Kiss.” What a horrible name for a song. Four stars. Standout Tracks: The Power of Equality, If You Have to Ask, Breaking the Girl, Suck My Kiss, Give it Away, Under the Bridge, Apache Rose Peacock, My Lovely Man
Rounded up.
Hip rock beats, with a great voice to accompany them.
The formula for this rating is all over the place. Nostalgia+genuine appreciation-RHCP This is a special one because I remember it coming out and being everywhere, then the day I heard Under the Bridge on Gold 104 was the day I realised I was old and stopped listening to Gold 104 quite as much.
Would blast this if I was a dad grilling burgers for my kids by the pool while my wife prepares the salad, and I sneak tiny pieces of meat to give to my dog. Just imagine listening to Under the Bridge on a roadtrip in your f 150.
Great record - I get it now - but still quite long.
"hicks don't mix with politics" - rhcp :salute:
Top 3 Songs: 1 - Under the Bridge (11) 2 - Give It Away (9) 3 - I Could of Lied (6)
Somewhere between a 3 and 4. Has the same problem that I felt Californication had where it has a handful of really excellent songs and a couple of really poor fillers. Bumping it up to four based on under the bridge
This is a classic album at their peak of funk rock. Expert musicianship all round. Not my favourite of theirs, but career defining. Their top track is there in all its glory. It still sounds fresh and relevant.
Blood Sugar Sex Magik is the Chili Peppers at their best, and their strongest collab with producer Rick Rubin. It is also a quinnessential 90s album, back when CDs ruled the music marketplace and artists felt compelled to fill the 75 minute time limit of the format.
I think my favourite thing about RHCP is their funky bass. There's a few certified bangers on this album, but also a bunch of stuff that I think is just alright - but even the ones that are just alright still have that bass underpinning them and I like that Standouts Suck My Kiss Give It Away Under the Bridge 4/5
Breaking the Girl Suck My Kiss Give It Away Blood Sugar Sex Magik Under the Bridge
Probably Red Hot Chili Pepeprs first album (chronologically) that really hit the mark and put them on the world map, the ones before were not that interesting. I am a quite big RHCP fan, but this is by no means my favourite album. In general I feel like the album mix lacks a bit of punch and could have benefitted from being a bit louder. There are a handful of really good songs here, like 'Suck My Kiss', 'I Could Hvae Lied', 'Give It Away', 'Blood Sugar Sex Magik', 'Under The Bridge'. Almost more good songs than some albums have regular songs! Despite this, it feels like a 4 star album for me. The reason is simply because there are too many songs, especially songs that are mediocre or worse, which dilutes the whole album. If the whole album was shorter and tighter this could be a 5 star, but solid 4 feels appropriate.
I frequently forget that RHCP is a thing. Not sure why, they were big in the early 00s when I started listening to a lot of music. This album is a bit too early for me (since I was born the same year) but after hearing Californication, I remember raiding my fathers CD-collection to find this RHCP-albums, with this being one them. While this never got too much play-time (I listened to “Greatest Hits”-album instead), I know quite a few of the songs. They really have a good sound going right of the bat with the high energy “The Power of Equality”. There are also plenty of very good hits, “Breaking the Girl”, “Suck My Kiss” and of course “Under the Bridge”. All those tracks are very good and shows a breadth of the album. The breadth of the album is not only to the albums benefit though. For every hit there is also a dud. One such is the standard “They’re Red Hot” which might be one of the worst versions of the song I’ve heard. The album also drags with a massive runtime above 1 hour. Halving this album would put it in to the 5 star territory but as it stands I think it is a well deserved 4 star.
Honestly not even my kind of music but can't deny it's really well put together, distinctive sound and some great catchy tracks. Favourites were obviously Under the Bridge, but Give it Away and Breaking the Girl also great. Would say it's too long though - a 3.5 for me
Awesome album, chili peppers in peak form
9/10
Obviously love the style of RHCP. Every song on this album is good (4 stars), but the only really great one in my opinion is Under the Bridge, partly because it was a stylistic departure from most of the other songs. Still a very solid album, but don’t feel like it quite reaches 5 stars for me.
I really like RHCP and a bunch of songs on this album, but 1h 14m is too much Peppers. They must love writing music, because a bunch of their albums are over an hour long. This is a perfect Greatest Hits band for me. They have some amazing songs across a bunch of albums, but I can't listen to them for that long. Really cool album that I just wish was shorter. Side note, I really don't like "Suck My Kiss".
Lots of bangers with a bitta filler
Funky Monks Riff lernen!!
Shit maat, wat een ellenlang album. Er staan wel voldoende goede nummers in om dit een goed album te maken. Plus, RHCP's beste nummer, Give it Away, staat hierop. 4.1 dus
Have listened to this one a lot in the past. Some great classics!
Its a light 4. Its better than the albums I normally give 3/5 to which is basically "its fine, didn't dislike it but its whatever". 73 minutes is crazy for the length of this album, it has no reason to be this long.
All around great album. Only two songs I did not like. Added about 3 or 4 to daily listens. Love the early peppers with the funk
So many classics. Yeah, I know, we laugh a little at Kiedis’ lyrics sometimes, but there are still a very good amount of amazing songs on here. I listened to this album so much in my teens.
My bai's is coming out, cuz I love RHCP. Though I only listent to their greatest hits apparently. A lot of this album sounds just like all their other stuff. But all their stuff is pretty hype
John Frusciante isn’t even the best guitarists in the Red Hot Chili Peppers
Good angry white boy music. The bass player and drummer are excellent together.
The extent of my knowledge for the Chili Peppers’ discography consists of hearing their most popular songs over the years. I mean, I remember finding Can’t Stop for the first time in 6th grade, and showing my friend the music video in art class the next day. I went home after that and asked my dad if he knew who Red Hot Chili Peppers were, like I had discovered the most underground band ever. As I’ve grown up, I’ve realized they might be one of the most polarizing bands ever. At least at their level. There are a lot of people who can’t stand them. Although, it does beg the question, do they really hate the band or just Anthony Kiedis? To a degree, I understand where the distaste comes from. It’s really what inspires most of my gripes with this album. Aside from it probably being too long, Anthony just sticks out like a really ugly, sore thumb. Every piece of info I’ve learned about him has been against my will, and has generally not been positive. As much as I enjoy some of their music, I’ll never pretend that he can really sing all that well. He’s definitely at his best on something like Under the Bridge. He sounds very young here, and his lyricism often feels like purely goofy rambling. On this particular record, it leans more towards the very sexually charged kind. Sir Psycho Sexy or Suck My Kiss are glaring examples of that. It’s unfortunate that Anthony brings this down so much by just being himself. Because everything else is awesome. The band dynamic is really strange, considering almost everyone can unanimously agree on what the draw of this group really is. Flea, John Frusciante and Chad Smith are some of the best ever in their individual categories. Particularly the first two. This albums’ best moments are when Anthony shuts up and lets the music really run wild. I do think there could’ve been a little more variety though. Like, The Greeting Song is good, but My Lovely Man almost sounds like the same song. This isn’t a bad album. But it’s not a game-changer for me. I doubt a Chili Peppers' album ever would be. Rating: 7/10
Hell yeah, Red Hot Chili Peppers.
This is the Peppers at their best. I wouldn’t say any of it is awe inspiring. Maybe “Under the Bridge” comes close, but it’s mostly just quality songs. It gets a little dodgy with the last few tracks, but I’m not complaining. Didn’t need to be that long, though. 4/5
Very good. Some down moments. But overall good.
I’ve never listened to the Red Hot Chili Peppers before aside from little bits of their hits. I found most of it rather fun, but I can see how it could get annoying. I didn’t listen to this in one sitting, so it was fine for me.
Uneven but the bangers are banging 4
An album with a sound I really like, but which slightly overstays its welcome. Besides being too long, some of the lyrics are a bit cringy. But the overall energy and vibe is quite fun to listen to. The bass playing is so funky, and the singer's voice is distinctive and pleasant. The only song I was familiar with was Under the Bridge, which I think is for sure the best track on the album
I wasn’t into this album when it came out and I’m not sure I’ve ever identified as a RHCP fan, so I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this album. Sure it’s derivative and sometimes immature sexual overtness can distract, but it’s mostly a funky, riff heavy, bass-and-drum driven masterclass in West Coast rock!
👌
One of the most powerfully stupid records ever made.
7.5/10 It was funky, and i like funky Weird subject matter tho
Really enjoy the sound on this. Wish it were shorter, it was a lot to listen to
Great album, only downfall is the length, feel like it would be a stronger album if it was a bit shorter
Ahhh, this takes me back. Its 1996 and i'm 14 and at Tom Booths house. This was on repeat and felt so dangerous. Whatever your opinions on late stage RHCP and some of the more recent allegations that deserve to have them cancelled, this is an undeniably good record. There are 5/6 really top tier tracks, a few good and a few average tracks and a better editor would have brought this in under an hour but it was sure fun. It has some of the hallmarks of more rock based late 80's sleaze but it manages to avoid the repellant aspects and replaces them with some introspection, some very good slap bass and just a fuck ton of energy.
This is such a tough one to rank. The nostalgia factor is super high with this one. Adolescent me loved this. I still really enjoy the music side of this album. But I just cannot handle Anthony Kiedis creepy ass lyrics and weird affectations throughout. Goddam Flea though. Amazing bass.
Ah yes - the first REAL Chili Peppers album, at least as I see it. My general opinion on the Chili Peppers, which I think most agree with, is that the band consists of three absolutely world class musicians fronted by arguably the most annoying vocalist in the business. If they had a great vocalist, I really do believe they would be universally seen as one of the all time greats. This album captures them in a nutshell - smooth as hell bass lines, tight rhythm guitars, great lead guitar licks, solid as hell beats, and... weird non-sensical hip-hop style vocals about California and sex and drugs. In the end, I allow myself to look past it and just enjoy it. I love this album for what it is.
I had not heard this album in its entirety before. I think it has some really great songs on it.
**Blood Sugar Sex Magik** by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on September 24, 1991, is considered a landmark album in the band's career and a classic of 1990s rock music. It marked a shift from their earlier work, with a more polished production and mature themes while retaining their trademark funk-rock sound. Produced by Rick Rubin, the album showcases the band’s ability to blend genres, with elements of funk, rock, hip-hop, and even hints of psychedelia. Here's a comprehensive analysis of the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and its influence on music, along with its pros and cons. ### Lyrics **Blood Sugar Sex Magik** features some of Anthony Kiedis's best lyrical work. The lyrics cover a range of themes, from sensuality and relationships to addiction and inner struggle. Kiedis often employs vivid imagery, personal anecdotes, and wordplay to add depth to his songwriting. - **Sensuality and Romance**: The title itself hints at the sensual nature of the album. Songs like "Suck My Kiss" and "Sir Psycho Sexy" explore overtly sexual themes with a raw, primal energy. The lyrics range from playful to explicit, with Kiedis tapping into the erotic and hedonistic experiences of his life. The provocative content, however, never veers into mere crudeness, as there is always a sense of spontaneity and joy in his delivery. - **Love and Loss**: "I Could Have Lied" deals with heartbreak and emotional vulnerability. Kiedis reflects on the pain of being hurt by someone he loved, showcasing his ability to tap into deep emotional experiences. - **Struggle with Addiction**: Tracks like "Under the Bridge" give a more introspective view, particularly dealing with Kiedis's feelings of loneliness and the longing for a connection while battling heroin addiction. The lyrics resonate as a genuine confession, revealing a softer, more contemplative side to the band's persona. Overall, Kiedis's lyrics on the album strike a balance between raw passion, emotional honesty, and playful exuberance. ### Music Musically, **Blood Sugar Sex Magik** is a perfect blend of funk grooves and hard rock riffs, with elements of punk and hip-hop. The album's sound is characterized by Flea's slapping basslines, John Frusciante's eclectic guitar work, Chad Smith's powerful drumming, and Kiedis's rhythmic, sometimes rap-like vocal delivery. - **Guitar Work**: John Frusciante's playing is a standout throughout the album. He avoids traditional rock guitar soloing in favor of rhythm-focused riffs and melodic fills. His use of space and dynamics, especially in tracks like "Under the Bridge" and "Breaking the Girl," adds emotional depth. Frusciante also employs a variety of effects, such as wah-wah pedals and delays, creating a psychedelic edge to the music. - **Bass and Drums**: Flea's bass playing is iconic on this record, from the funky slap of "Give It Away" to the more melodic approach on "Breaking the Girl." His ability to switch between being a rhythmic foundation and a lead instrument gives the album a distinct groove. Chad Smith's drumming complements Flea's playing perfectly, with a solid, driving rhythm that propels the songs while allowing for moments of improvisation. - **Song Structures**: The songs on **Blood Sugar Sex Magik** often follow unconventional structures, mixing funk jams with hard rock choruses and mellow, introspective verses. This is evident in tracks like "The Righteous & The Wicked," where the dynamic shifts keep the listener engaged. ### Production Produced by Rick Rubin, **Blood Sugar Sex Magik** marked a turning point in the Chili Peppers' career in terms of production quality. Rubin's influence can be felt throughout the album in the way he balances rawness with polish. - **Recording Process**: The band recorded the album in a mansion that was reputedly haunted, which contributed to the album's unique atmosphere. Rubin encouraged the band to embrace a looser, more spontaneous approach, and many of the tracks were recorded live. This approach gave the album a raw energy that contrasts with the polished sound of many mainstream records at the time. - **Sound Quality**: The production brings out the best in each instrument. Flea’s bass is always prominent without overshadowing the guitar, and Chad Smith’s drums have a powerful punch. Rubin's minimalist approach avoided over-layering, allowing the music to breathe and the band's chemistry to shine through. ### Themes The album explores themes of sensuality, struggle, spirituality, and introspection. Its content can be divided broadly into the following thematic categories: - **Sex and Sensuality**: Tracks like "Suck My Kiss," "Sir Psycho Sexy," and "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" dive into hedonistic themes with exuberance. This isn’t just about physicality, though; there is also a mystical and almost ritualistic approach to sensuality in the way the songs are presented. - **Addiction and Isolation**: The most poignant theme is addiction. "Under the Bridge" reflects Kiedis's struggle with heroin addiction and his feelings of isolation from the rest of the band and the world. The song's success helped raise awareness about substance abuse and showed that rock music could tackle personal struggles with sincerity. - **Spirituality and Transcendence**: There are moments of searching for something greater than oneself, both musically and lyrically. "Breaking the Girl" touches upon difficult relationships and finding meaning beyond personal struggles. There’s a sense of catharsis present in the music that suggests the band's desire to transcend their physical and emotional hardships. ### Influence and Legacy **Blood Sugar Sex Magik** significantly influenced the alternative rock scene of the 1990s. It helped solidify the fusion of funk and rock, paving the way for other bands like Rage Against the Machine, Jane’s Addiction, and Primus. The album's success also catapulted the Red Hot Chili Peppers into mainstream recognition, setting the stage for their later mega-hits in the 2000s. - **Impact on the Band**: The album's commercial and critical success transformed the Red Hot Chili Peppers from a cult band to international superstars. Frusciante's guitar work became iconic, influencing a generation of guitarists, and the song "Under the Bridge" remains one of the band's most recognizable tracks. - **Impact on Popular Music**: It marked a shift away from the hair metal and glam rock trends of the 1980s, favoring a rawer and more authentic rock sound. The album's blending of genres encouraged other artists to experiment with genre fusion. This trend towards diverse musical influences became a hallmark of the 1990s alternative rock scene. ### Pros 1. **Diverse Musical Style**: The album's ability to mix funk, rock, and hip-hop while still sounding cohesive is one of its biggest strengths. Each track brings something different, keeping the listener engaged throughout. 2. **Strong Musicianship**: Flea's bass lines and Frusciante's guitar playing are particularly notable. Their interplay is tight and creates a dynamic foundation for the songs. 3. **Honest and Raw Lyrics**: Anthony Kiedis's lyrics are some of the most personal and honest of his career, addressing issues like addiction, love, and sensuality with genuine emotion. 4. **Memorable Tracks**: With songs like "Under the Bridge," "Give It Away," and "Breaking the Girl," the album contains some of the band's most iconic songs, which have stood the test of time. 5. **Rick Rubin’s Production**: The production quality enhances the band's raw energy without compromising on clarity, allowing the emotion and spontaneity of the recording sessions to be felt. ### Cons 1. **Inconsistent Lyricism**: While some tracks feature deep and introspective lyrics, others, such as "Sir Psycho Sexy," lean heavily into more juvenile, sexually explicit territory, which might detract from the album's overall maturity. 2. **Overly Long Runtime**: At over 70 minutes, the album feels a bit bloated. Some tracks, especially towards the end, could have been trimmed to make for a tighter, more impactful listening experience. 3. **Not for Everyone**: The rawness and funk-punk fusion might not appeal to all listeners. Some might find the sexual themes off-putting or excessive. 4. **Stylistic Limitations**: Although the band fuses different genres effectively, some of the tracks feel formulaic in their funk-rock structure, which could seem repetitive to those who are not fans of the style. ### Conclusion **Blood Sugar Sex Magik** stands out as one of the most important rock albums of the 1990s, not just for its commercial success but for its musical innovation and emotional depth. Its fusion of genres, raw lyricism, and exceptional musicianship set the stage for the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ future, helping to define a new era in rock music. While it has some inconsistencies, the album’s strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, earning its place as a classic that continues to influence musicians across genres.
This is a really Good album even if the Chilli pepper sound has been run into the ground
Las guitarras del álbum son muy interesantes. Es lindo ver cómo nace un género del cual se derivan muchos sub-generos. Lo único que frena el máximo rating es que sea un disco doble, porque se hace algo pesado escucharlo del tirón
Just too long. Under the bridge carries this to a 4.
Not a huge fan of RHCP, but this record is solid as a rock, if a little long.
I had this CD back in the day. Listening again is a trip down nostalgia lane. Even though the lyrics alternate between nonsensical and vulgar, the bass and guitar hold up well. It might not be the best music, but I like it. I was reading about the song I Could Have Lied. Apparently it's about Anthony's breakup with Sinead O'Connor. What?! Strange times the early 90s.
I don't think this is their "best" album, but it's got quite a variety on here: funk, rock, ballads, etc. My first listen was not great because I wasn't ready for it and the explicitness was overwhelming, but with another listen or two, I'm impressed with the breadth and capabilities here. Interestingly, our previous album (Jefferson Airplane, Surrealistic Pillow) was Jefferson Airplane's second album, and they had to leave a track off their first album because it contained the word "trip" which made their record label. Now compare that to this album, especially Sir Psycho Sexy.
Nostalgia Alert! What an album. That bass.
Well, okay, but here where it says, "What I got you gotta get and put it in ya," how about just, "What I'd like is I'd like to hug and kiss ya." Classic Chilly Willie, 4.2 stars
Sounds like a RHCP album! Good stuff, would be a 5 if they cut it down by like 25 minutes.
RHCP er sgu et sjovt band. Jeg har langt mere været på Californication. Faktisk har jeg aldrig hørt hele BSSM før. Men singlerne kender jeg selvfølgelig til hudløshed. Jeg var godt underholdt, uden at det er mit nye yndlings album.
This album is far too long to give it a reasonable number of plays. But I felt that the record would repay further lsitening, seems to be a diverse set of songs.
I DONT EVER WANNA FEEEEEEL the power of equality- 5 if you have to ask- 8 breaking the girl- 5 funky monks- 5 suck my kiss- 5 i could have lied- 4. its just not that good. mellowship slinky in b major- 5 the righteous and the wicked- 5 give it away- 5 blood sugar sex magick- 7 under the bridge-... 10. im sorry. my go to karaoke song naked in the rain- 7 apache rose peacock- 5 greeting song- 6 my lovely man- 5 sir psycho sexy- 8. im sorry. too fucking long though theyre red hot- they certainly are. 7 hi im toby and i like the red hot chili peppers *im booed off stage.* overall i dont particularly care for 80% of their music but the parts i do like i really like
Maybe too long 8/10
Sorry but this slaps a lil. Detracting one star because of all the problematic lyrics I'm sure I missed while listening to this at work
Should have ended after Under the Bridge. Still good though
Ja heel vet
It's hard not to nod and tap along with the Chili's at their best, they're all on point on this. I feel John Frusciante gets overlooked a bit because Flea is so cool, but he's a good guitarist. Lyrics are surreal, cheeky and fun Not 5 stars for me as it's pretty long and not every song is good but decent album
Interesting instrumental parts, cool, unexpected riff styles Like how the album blends together, minimal breaks between tracks. Like Breaking the Girl a lot. Has a psychedelic feeling to it. I Could Have Lied is great too, like the mellow outro Righteous & the Wicked reminds me of Faith No More a little bit, with some of the vocal fills. Under the Bridge is a good shakeup with the different intro and more relaxed instrumentation. Also enjoy the female supporting vocals on the second chorus. Love the bass and guitar tones on Naked in the Rain Knowing their later work, (i.e. Californication, Dani California, Snow), this album is a lot more raw, in the best way possible. Liked the second half a lot more. Could have been a tighter, more concise package. Mix is lacking a bit, good stereo separation, but medium compression level. Not much DR to be found here. Instruments sound good, are blending well together. Appreciate the clear bass tones, it cuts through crisply Favorite track: Breaking the Girl
Old school RHCP. This album has great licks from both Flea and John, and the result is an album that truly defined the RHCP funky rock sound. Some of it can be repetitive, but there are classics on this album that to this day are played by cover bands and karaoke rooms alike.
It’s fine
High energy funk with plenty of lyrical creativity. Several gems in here.
This is the definitive album from the funky punks of City of Angels. They came to the attention of most of us when they they appeared in a Red Hot Chili Peppers poster photo taken in the famous crosswalk across from Abbey Road studios, wearing nothing but socks covering their family jewels. Their cover of Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground" on their album MOTHER'S MILK would give glimpses of what kind of performance and song arrangements they were capable of, but they would not breakout in the world's consciousness until the release of this album. Their music brought everyone from skater punks to funk purists together. Favorites: All-time classics "Give it Away", "Suck My Kiss", "Blood Sugar Sex Magic", "Under the Bridge" and lesser known tracks "Breaking the Girl" and "Naked in the Rain". To those who keep calling it white rap, you are missing the point. It is and was SoCal funky punk.
this is pretty damn good!
The funky punk Chili Peppers develop their more melodic side and become more approachable. The approach is a bit more diverse than previous endeavors. Still plenty of energy here, but they're learning to control it, modify it, and use it better. They’ve simply matured as songwriters and as a band. I don’t really care for all the sex lyrics, but some songs can still be fun vocally. The silly and downtrodden lyrics are what I prefer here. The music of this band does the heavy lifting for me - particularly the interplay between Flea and Frusciante. Man those guys can play…they have interesting lines and interactions throughout the whole album. I loved this album when I was younger but don’t revisit much, often feeling I’ve outgrown the content matter. Given that I don’t care for most lyrics (or actively dislike them) it’s still hard not to rock and funk out to a lot of these songs.
Nice and funky. Not as good as Californication for me though
Such a funky album! Liked it much better on the second listen than the first.
Say what you will about the Chili Peppers, but this album is great. Does get a little long (classic 90’s bloat) and the album would be improved by removing the title track, “Apache Rose Peacock”, “The Greeting Song”, and “My Lovely Man” (yes, I know it’s the Hillel tribute). But that doesn’t do much to dampen this album’s greatness.
I picked up this cassette the same day as Ten by PJ. Was at the moment alt/grunge started to take over my musical world.
Favorite Track: Under The Bridge
Great
Serious funk, I really enjoyed listening to it. However, this is a perfect example of a bloated album preventing a potential classic.
Thoughts before listening: I used to love the Chili Peppers and this album (although Mother's Milk was always my favorite from them). I very rarely listen to the band anymore for some reason though. Their songs are iconic for sure, but they just seem juvenile or something. Maybe its just that their later output became increasingly silly and poppy. Review: Man I have so much nostalgia built up around this album. RHCP were great musicians, especially Flea and John Frusciante, and this album sounds great. Anthony Kiedis' lame raps and lyrical subject matter have not aged well, although I remember really liking them 30 years ago. This album is full of massive hits ("Breaking the Girl", "Give It Away", "Under the Bridge", etc) as well as some deeper cuts that remain classics ("Suck My Kiss", "Sir Psycho Sexy"). This might be one of those albums that wouldn't get as high a rating from me if I didn't grow up listening to it, but thanks to nostalgia, I will give this 4-stars.
I remember getting this album originally and listening to the crap out of it. I'm not the biggest RHCP fan but the instrumentation is just so bloody good that it makes up for AK who I am not personally a big fan of.
It brings back great memories. Although I find it a bit repetitive in terms of rhythm and melodies. Anyway, the RHCP are a group I always listen to with great pleasure ;-)
Um álbum que define o que é RHCP: uma mistura vibrante e enérgica de gêneros e influências, indo desde os solos únicos de rock do Frusciante, rap nas letras do Kiedis, o funk clássico do Flea ou fragmentos de jazz do Chad Smith. Com suas 17 faixas, os Peppers passeiam por reflexões sociais como nas iniciais "Power of Equality" e "If you have to ask", relacionamentos na fantástica "Breaking the Girl", além de se permitir falar de baboseiras que não levam a lugar nenhum em "Apache Rose Peacock". Com tantas músicas, tem que se elogiar a transição entre elas, com destaque especial para a sensacional de "Suck my Kiss/I could have lied", que ajudam a manter o álbum coeso apesar de tanta experimentação. Entretanto, apesar de tantos méritos, a duração é um problema. Por volta de "Naked in the Rain" e a já citada Apache, o álbum perde fôlego e começa a soar repetitivo, com ideias sendo reexploradas sem tanta inovação que marca o grupo. Lampejos de criatividade ainda existem na reta final, mas o cansaço começa a pesar, afetando um pouco o fator replay desse ótimo disco.
Absolutely filthy baselines from flea on this album. The guitar and drums are solid and funky as usual but the bass really stands out. Anthony alternates between being the perfect vibe for the music and kind of annoying. Especially on this album some of the lyrics are unnecessarily sexual. Under the bridge is obviously great and the rest of the album works for me when I’m in the right mood
Really good blend of hard rock and funk, with a bit of rap thrown in. Great guitar work and the bass line drives everything forward. Only complaint is I think they probably could have cut 15 minutes to make the total even stronger.
It's easy to goof on the Chili Peppers, and in almost every case it is warranted. Their songs are terribly overplayed on radio, the lyrics are juvenile, and Anthony Kiedis plain sucks. I'm not going to sit here and preach about how this album is some masterpiece, but it is GOOD and it does rise head and shoulders above all the other garbage they've released in the 25 years since BSSM. If you can manage to listen to this without the weight of all the music that came after tainting it, this is a great record. The good: pop on just about any random song and it's easy to get lost in the groove. There are obvious standout tracks like Under the Bridge, Give it Away, I Could Have Lied, etc... but most of the deep cuts are great too. The bad: this is one long album and it wears out its welcome long before the end of its 75 minute runtime. Even back in the 90s when I listened to this regularly I was skipping a lot of songs in the back half. Should have been 13 or 14 tracks max.
8.5/10. It features a nice blend of funk and rock. I like its sound. :)
This is one of the records that marked my youth. How cool it was when I saw RHCP for the first time, live!
7/10 - some classic bangers some I didn’t like at all
Un autre album très cohérent, leur son est assez inimitable, entre la basse plutôt funk mais très rock à la fois, et l'élocution et la voix particulière du chanteur. Entre sensualité et violence, ça illustre bien le titre de l'œuvre.
Some bangers, some not so bangers, John is a funky funky gentleman
3.5
I am not the biggest RHCP fan, but this album varies from genre to genre, it has some amazing songs, and it is very funky. I enjoyed it a lot!
My dislike of the constant radio play of Red Hot Chili Peppers is renowned but I hope to be objective on this particular album which is the time period was revolutionary. Listening to Give It Away was like listening to proof of alien life. Everyone wonder what it means to Suck My Kiss, and I used to have Under the Bridge on every mixtape, especially the make out tapes though now that doesn’t seem appropriate. I don’t know if there is a bad song on here. This album was a strong representation of the stylistic blending RHCPs are known for and heavily influenced the ‘90s. In every music fans collection should be this album.
This is not my favorite Peppers album. I only got to know the band in 1999 with Californication and was enthusiastic about their music. The earlier stuff and this album are a bit unwieldy for me. Maybe it's also because of the white hip hop parts, which I usually can't do much with. There are also some great tracks on the album. I can listen to Under The Bridge in particular over and over again. 4/5
Great album with some great hits! And I do enjoy 90s alt-rock. Didn’t really have any songs that were too bad, although my opinion is the album length hurt itself a bit. Even with a nice variety of sounds and styles I did get a bit bored. Probably would be a 5 star rating if it was cut down to even 45-50 minutes but as it was, 4.25/5
Red Hot Chili Peppers seem to be a band defined by three specific eras: 1) The early period where their music was just awful; they were clearly a band still figuring things out, and were on a record label willing to give them a few chances. 2) Their commercial and artistic peak (starting with this album); where everything seemed to click for their sound, their voice, and their songwriting. 3) The bland years; pretty much anything from Stadium Arcadium up to today is all pretty forgettable and generic. As if they're just in autopilot mode and are happy enough with that. 'Blood Sugar Sex Magik', you could argue, is RHCP at their best. I personally think you could take any album from this one all the way to 'By The Way' and there would be a valid reason for each one to be ranked on equal footing. I suppose where this one shines is in the fact that it still has that raw old school Peppers sound, but they have finally smoothened out the edges to clean things up. If I was ranking this album just based on the first 11 tracks alone, this would have been an easy 5. You get so much packed into them, it’s not even funny. Bass slaps galore, funky ass guitar riffs, hard hitting drums, and Anthony showing just how much range as a vocalist he has when he wants to show it off. Rock ‘n’ roll, funk, almost post-punk esque, and some surprisingly great ballads fill those first 11 tracks. From the loose 'The Power of Equality' opener, the beautiful slow tempo 'Breaking The Girl', 'I Could Have Lied', to the big hits 'Give It Away' and 'Under The Bridge'. You honestly couldn't ask for a better explosion of music from any band; and I'm not even that big of a RHCP fan. Then the album shows its only problem: at 17 tracks 'Blood Sugar Sex Magik' is just a little too bloated. It feels like a good 3-4 tracks towards the end could have been trimmed out to improve on the overall experience. Not that they're bad songs, it just feels like they were out of new ideas by that point. It causes a damn near perfect LP to lose the steam they worked hard to build up. It's still damn good overall, though: 4/5
Good fun
Good to listen to this again!
the best funk rock album of all time.
August 21st, 2024 HL: "Give It Away", "Under the Bridge", "The Power of Equality", "Suck My Kiss", "Breaking the Girl", "Funky Monks" It's strange, sometimes I hear a Rick Rubin produced record, & I consider it worse off. But then I hear something like this, or Raising Hell by Run-DMC, & I think wow, he should produce everything To quote another anonymous review: "It feels like something a chubby middle school kid would listen to before he puts on a fedora and goes to the school dance, where he just stands in the corner judging the kids who are having fun" I resent that, sir! I was not chubby in middle school But I did once think they were one of the great rock bands, though my Chilis of choice during middle school was part Californication, part Stadium Arcadium. I still think they were among the best to fuse rock and funk music, though I concur you could shave 15 minutes off B.S.S.M. and it would be just fine. To (mis)quote Community: Look, eventually, you hit a point of diminishing returns on the horniness
162/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑
Albums that are too long for their own good seems to be the theme of the week. I kinda sorta remember 1991 and tons and tons of chili peppers tshirts...not knowing who they were. Flea kicks some serious bass lines on this album, and seems to the the standout on a lot of the sub par songs. Overall the album has a great sound for the time, but is pretty repetitive. 3.5 & rounding up to 4.
I didn’t care for RHCP when they hit the scene. Under the Bridge is one of the most annoying songs from the early 90’s. The album is not as obnoxious as I expected, too long, but not unlistenable.
They always sound like the Chili Peppers but they know how to mix things up enough to keep an album interesting, which is very appreciated.
I remember listening to this one back in my early teens. Enjoyed. 4/5
cool
How embarrassing to find out you like the chili peppers in twenty twenty four
Songs on here I will enjoy forever
It’s a classic for some. I like them. I don’t love them. I never thought they did something so great everyone should love them for it. When Kedis is singing about being hard, it’s weird and awkward. I wouldn’t want to listen to those kind of lyrics with other people. “Under the Bridge” is by far my favorite.
One trick ponies but injected new life into the rock scene. Funky hits to make it an enjoyable enough listen.
Can't sit still with this one. Although a tad too long.
Strange Album with some Bangers in between
punk funk
Sinto como se tivesse vendo a fecundação do "Californication".
Weird but good weird.
Not my absolute favourite, but pretty good
great album but not there best
Thought that I never liked RHCP, but turns out I never liked RHCP's overexposure. Probably should have listened to this 30 years ago before I talked all that trash about them.
No soy muy de los Red Hot.
Funky bass lines. Fun songs. Classic album.
~Nostalgia~ for the hits probably making me rank this higher than I should.
This was good but a bit long. I enjoyed give it away and under the bridge
Under the Bridge & Give it away now Typischer alternative Rock 4/5
Het zal wel heiligschennis zijn, maar ik heb niet eens zoveel met de Peppers. Wat is dat toch? Want op zich leveren ze ook hier puik werk af, met hun klassieker Under the bridge er ook nog bij. Het zal het ruwe randje wel zijn, dat me steeds uit de luisterervaring haalt. Maar ook een mager 3,5-je is hier een vier, dus vooruit.
It was a good album, I suppose. Feel like it dragged a bit in places but it was good.
Tendria 5 estrellas si no fuera tan largo y los temas del deluxe nuevos no me gustan tanto. Pero hard el disco.
A classic
These songs all feel so long. Sometimes it works, but other times it just feels unnecessary. I’ve heard a handful of songs off of this album before, so it’s nice to get to hear those again. It reminds me of high school, which is weird because this album came out 20 years before I finished high school. But it makes me think of playing Rock Band with my friends, hanging with Ryan, and having fewer stresses in my life. Sir Psycho sexy is still a trip. I don’t know that I’d go back and listen to the whole album all the way through all that often, but I enjoyed this revisit.
Some great songs and a decent album. One I hadn’t heard all the way through before but I am glad that I have now.
Very diverse Love the guitars and the drums Favourite song was definitely under the bridge
Wonderfully funky. Reminiscent of a carefree summer afternoon.
Some of their best tracks
Great album, and great production. Worthy to be on this list, hopefully californication is on it too.
I am stoked about this one. Haven't listened to this album all the way through in a while. This album does in fact hit, solid rock throughout.