Powerstars

So I haven't talked about the Red Hot Chili Peppers yet. It's not that I don't like them, they're one of my favorite bands, I just have no idea where to begin. But I think their 1991 breakthrough would be a good place to begin, don't you? What do you mean no? This is MY journal! Screw you! Anyways, I doubt Trollheart would be into this album (He hates hip-hop) considering how heavy it is on the rap, but it's deemed a classic and I just got it recently, so...

1. The Power Of Equality
Though this track is a bit forgettable in my opinion, and it's hard to understand what Anthony Kiedes is saying in that loud aggressive rapping, it's still a good energetic way to start the album, and it segues perfectly into...

2. If You Have To Ask
A cool funky little song, despite a few lazy decisions (rhyming "guy" with "guy" with "guy" with "guy"), is the first of many catchy songs on the album, and it fades into...

3. Breaking The Girl
The first ballad of the album, with cool acoustic playing and a drum solo played on objects the Chili Peppers found in the dumpster, this is a sad, catchy, rap-free song that I recommend for that stuffy ol' TH!

4. Funky Monks
One of my favorite songs on the album, probably one of the most underrated songs on it. It has two false ends with funky jamming and it's where the album theme of sex kicks in.

5. Suck My Kiss
More famous, catchy song about sexual relations. This one always makes me jump out of my seat to sing along. I love everything: the lyrics, the funky solo, the bassline, it's just perfect!

6. I Could Have Lied
Really sad ballad. The guitar playing is just excellent here, as is Anthony Kiedes's depressed-sounding vocal performance. It is also an amazing song, but in a different way.

7. Mellowship Slinky In B Major
Rap-filled sex song, with a neat reverb-drenched vocal. Not the best, but it's fairly catchy and has it's moments.

8. The Righteous And The Wicked
We begin with a bad ass bass riff from Flea and then all hell breaks loose on John Frusciante's guitar. This song's chorus is based upon the call and response between him and Anthony Kiedes. It was forgettable for me personally...at first. But then, it grew on me, like a fungus on my foot...well not quite, but you get what I mean.

9. Give It Away
One of the biggest hit singles of the album actually ISN'T about sex, but the RHCP said it was actually about giving away posessions...which still doesn't explain the "put it in you" bit, but hey.

10. Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Okay, kind of cool deeply sung choruses, it's an okay song.

11. Under The Bridge
The song that put the Peppers on the map, this is a great ballad about feeling isolated because of drug withdrawal. The guitar playing is great, and special mention must go to John Frusciante's mother singing "Under the bridge downtoooooooooown!"

12. Naked In The Rain
Opens with drums and then we add the bass (A very funky bass) and guitar. The lyrics are catchy, but rather extremely weird. Great song though.

13.Apache Rose Peacock
Odd lyrics, like "LUNATICS ON POGOSTICKS," which may be one of the funniest lines Anthony Kiedes has ever written. Oh, and they mention Louis Armstrong's dick, cuz why not? The verses are weird raps like that, but it has a really pretty chorus, an example of dissonance with the Peppers. I think it adds to their appeal though.

14. The Greeting Song
As much as Anthony Kiedes hates this song (Producer Rick Rubin told him to write a song about girls and cars and that's the sole reason it exists), I love it. Instrumentally, he likes it, saying it sounds like "a lively Zeppelin tune" which I can't argue with, but I think he doesn't give enough credit to the lyrics, they're not that bad. One of my favorites off the album.

15. My Lovely Man
A hard and heavy song about original guitarist Hillel Slovak, who died of a drug overdose. I particularly like when they drop the funk and get to the sad breakdown at the end, it just tears you apart inside.

16. Sir Psycho Sexy
The funk and the sex are both cranked up to 11 for the second-to-last, 8 minute song. And y'know what? Most of that is this simply BEAUTIFUL sounding fadeout! This is an amazing song, but the album isn't over yet...

17. They're Red Hot
We end off with a double-speed Robert Johnson cover. Truly great in every way. Now to the conclusion...

Conclusion: An amazing album, that totally deserves it's reputation as dirty, yet melodic and beautiful album.

My Favorite Tracks: "Breaking The Girl," "Funky Monks," "Suck My Kiss," "I Could Have Lied," "Apache Rose Peacock," "The Greeting Song," "My Lovely Man,"

Least Favorite: "The Power Of Equality," "Mellowship Slinky In B Major"

Do I feel, at the end,
A) I wish I had listened to this sooner
B) I'm sorry I bothered
C) I might end up liking this
D) Not at all sure, have to wait and see

Surefire A!

Final Score: 97/100 (There are no monks in mah band. There are no saints in this land)

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