Indulgence has long been a way of life for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, yet they resisted the siren's call of the double album until 2006's Stadium Arcadium. Sure, 1991's breakthrough Blood Sugar Sex Magik was as long as a classic double LP, but such distinctions mattered little in the era when vinyl gave way to CD, and they matter less now, as the CD gradually gives way to digital-only releases. In fact, like how Blood Sugar was the tipping point when the LPs ceded ground to CDs, Stadium Arcadium could be seen as the point when albums were seen as a collection of digital playlists. Yes, it's pressed up as a two-disc set -- including an extravagant but pointless special edition housed in a clunky box that includes a make-yer-own-spinning-top -- but this is an album that's designed for you to mix and match, create your own playlist, rip and burn on your own. It's designed for you to sequence its 28 songs in some kind of cohesive manner, since the band sure didn't take the time to do that here; it's the first major album by a major band that makes as much sense on random as it does in its proper sequencing. Well, that's not entirely true: the official 28-song album does begin with "Dani California," the clearest single here, the one thing that truly grabs attention upon first listen and worms its way into your subconscious, where it just won't let go, as so much of Anthony Kiedis' catchiest melodies do. After that, it's a long, winding path of alternately spacey and sunny pop, ballads, and the occasional funk workout that used to be the Chili Peppers' signature but now functions as a way to break up the monotony. And there needs to be something to break up the monotony, not because the music is bad but because it all exists at the same level and is given a flat, colorless production that has become the signature of Rick Rubin as of late.
Rubin may be able to create the right atmosphere for Flea and John Frusciante to run wild creatively -- an opportunity that they seize here, which is indeed a pleasure to hear -- but he does nothing to encourage them to brighten the finished recording up with some different textures, or even a greater variety of guitar tones. As such, the bare-bone production combined with the relentless march of songs gives Stadium Arcadium the undeniable feel of wading through the demos for a promising project instead of a sprawling statement of purpose; there's not enough purpose here for it to be a statement. That fault is down to the band not forming the raw material into something palatable for the listener, but there's also the problem that as a lyricist Anthony Kiedis just isn't that deep or clever enough to provide cohesive themes for an album of this length; he tackles no new themes here, nor does he provide new insight to familiar topics. To his credit, he does display a greater versatility as a vocalist, cutting back on the hambone rapping that used to be his signature and crooning throughout the bulk of this album, usually on key. That said, he still has enough goofy tics to undercut his attempts at sincerity, and he tends to be a bit of a liability to the band as a whole; with a different singer, who could help shape and deliver these songs, this album might not seem as formless and gormless. But there is a fair amount of pleasures here, all down to the interplay between Flea and Frusciante. While drummer Chad Smith does prove himself quite versatile here, gracefully following the eccentric turns and meanderings of the bassist and guitarist, the string instruments are the reason to listen to Stadium Arcadium. That's always been the case to a certain extent with the Chili Peppers, but here it's especially true, as they push and pull, rave and rumble, lie back and rock out -- pretty much spit out anything they can do on their instruments over the course of 28 songs. As good as much of this is, there is a little bit of monotony here, since they're working variations on their signature themes, and they haven't found a way to make these variations either transcendent or new; they're just very good renditions on familiar themes. These tracks rarely betray their origins as studio jams -- more than ever, it's possible to hear that the track came first, then the song -- and while that can result in some good listening, it all does kind of drift together. That said, there are no bad tracks here -- it's all of a relatively high quality -- but there are no standouts either, so it takes a very dedicated fan to start sorting out the subtleties between the tracks (not the wheat from the chaff, since it's all wheat). And while those hardcore fans may certainly enjoy the make-your-own-adventure spirit of Stadium Arcadium, it's hard not to feel that it's the band's responsibility to take this very good repetitive album and mold it into something sharper and more effective. So call it the rock version of Peter Jackson's King Kong: there's something pretty great and lean buried beneath the excess, but it's so indulgent, it's a work that only a fanboy could truly love. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
i can't even believe how perfect Erlewine's review is. As a long time chili peppers fan, I couldn't agree more that while I find stadium arcadium enjoyable, it simply does not evoke the same emotions in me as their former albums. But I have faith in my boys and I know they'll pull it together on their next album!
I heard Dani California somewhere and couldn't wait to hear the rest of this two disc set. I should've left it at that. Whenever I get the inane urge to play these discs I find myself jumping around looking for something to sink my teeth into and always leave hungry. Then out come BSSM,OHM,and Californication. Sorry, but I have to agree with Mr. Erlewine here.
Sorry guys, but this review is dead-on. They probably had more fun recording this than we ever will listening to it. It's all very good music; don't get me wrong. BUT the problem is that there's just too much good stuff in an album that no particularly outstanding ones show themselves (besides "Dani California" and only because that's a single). Onezero4U and Steven Thomas Erlewine both seem to have a good, unbiased head on their shoulders.
fans of music: dont read the review of this album above. stephen thomas erlewine of all music guide wrote one of the worst reviews ive ever read. what a repetitive, media-stricken piece of crap that has no creative thought. i hate when people who dont like music write music reviews.
Stadium Arcadium is an awesome album. ill leave it at that cuz i suck at reviewing too... but give it a chance. awesome awesome album
i agree. I still consider BSSM one of my fave cds of all time. But why didnt the RHCP whittle this down to just the truly awesome material onto one cd and blow everyone out of the water?!?!
Anthony has overstayed his welcome and holds the band back imo. Hes not a good singer nor is he a solid lyricist, basically deadweight. He should find another funk-rap band thats needs a toneless monkey with long hair hopping and acting like a 14 yr old on stage. Flea and John are freaking amazing and
Exactly. I have to agree with jsolnit. Why should lenghth of an album matter? Wether it was one song or fiftey should make no difference, it matters only the quiality of music on the ablum, not quantitity. Albums like this and the White Album are certainly masterpeice"
whoever wrote that sucks some major dic* because stadium arcadium is a masterpiece, they completely formed an entirely new genre of music and focused on entirely new themes. They incorporated a beautiful horn melody and an uplifting tone that makes you want more, the more you listen the more you love.. this album should be seen as a cornerstone of music in this century
Erlewine has a strange hate for double albums. Check out his reviews of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (Smashing Pumpkins) and even the White Album (Beatles). It's amazing that a supposed music expert would condition his reviews on an arbitrary length limit.
I have to disagree with the tone of mediocrity that Stephen Thomas Erlewine delivers on this album summary. This is one of their best albums and I am no self professed super fan. They are just great to listen to. It's that simple. No monotony here!