The Red Hot Chili Peppers' best album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik benefits immensely from Rick Rubin's production -- John Frusciante's guitar is less overpoweringly noisy, leaving room for differing textures and clearer lines, while the band overall is more focused and less indulgent, even if some of the grooves drag on too long. Lyrically, Anthony Kiedis is as preoccupied with sex as ever, whether invoking it as his muse, begging for it, or boasting in great detail about his prowess, best showcased on the infectiously funky singles "Give It Away" and "Suck My Kiss." However, he tempers his testosterone with a more sensitive side, writing about the emotional side of failed relationships ("Breaking the Girl," "I Could Have Lied"), his drug addictions ("Under the Bridge" and an elegy for Hillel Slovak, "My Lovely Man"), and some hippie-ish calls for a peaceful utopia. Three of those last four songs (excluding "My Lovely Man") mark the band's first consistent embrace of lilting acoustic balladry, and while it's not what Kiedis does best as a vocalist, these are some of the album's finest moments, varying and expanding the group's musical and emotional range. Frusciante departed after the supporting tour, leaving Blood Sugar Sex Magik as probably the best album the Chili Peppers will ever make. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
Track List
(try tracks 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 and 12)
I'm probably in the minority but I like Mother's Milk most. To me it was the perfect synthesis of where they started and where they were headed (not BSSM). Don't get me wrong BSSM is a close 2nd and UMPP is an even closer 3rd.
This is their best album without question. I've listened to the whole thing straight through more times than I can remember. Every song is good, and several of them are very sensitive without sucking.
But of course, the crowning glory, "Sir Psycho Sexy"
well RHCP was like the uplift mofo party plan on this album, but the guitar was the lacking part (no funk metal solos like umpp). Now frusciante fits with the band, but that's because the rest of the band isn't funk metal either. It's all a matter of taste; I like all of RHCP albums. My favorite is just Uplift Mofo.
Best RHCP album is probably uplift mofo party plan, or maybe What Hits!? if you will count compilations. This album is where the Red Hot Chili Peppers should have changed their name, because Frusciante really changed them. Does anyone else remember back when RHCP had actual rocking solos?
The drums on Breaking the Girl are epic. The Power of Equality is amazing. Give it Away never gets old. Under the Bridge is, well, Under the Bridge. Great musicianship through the whole album.
being a fan since the Freaky Styley and RHCP album days, this LP shows their progression as artists. although slickly produced, definitely showcases the talent and cohesiveness of these icons.