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
"Dani California" and "Snow" are both awesome songs. I listened to the entire album a few times because I was so excited about those two, and because I'd really liked a few other songs like "Otherside" I've heard in the past, but I guess RHCP must just not be my thing because the rest of it was either utterly forgettable or annoying. It seemed pretty flat and dull to me, although I think some of the songs might have become more interesting if I'd listened to it a few more times.
WTF? What kind of a b/s review is that? Was this guy even LISTENING to the same cd? And whoever picked those tracks as the best ones off this album is also about half retarded. Storm in a Teacup and She Looks to Me are two of the most awesome songs. Don't overlook them!
Once again, I find a controversial review written by Stephen Erlewine. Though he may be raking up mud, he has some fair points here: most of the tracks on Stadium Arcadium have the same tones and production. But here's the kicker: THAT DOES NOT MAKE THEM THE SAME. If you don't get this, perhaps music is not the field for you, Stephen. And even the suggestion that RHCP find a new singer is ludicrous: sans Kiedis, you don't have the Peppers, you have a group that wishes they were. Great album.
I LOVE Stadium Arcadium, and I have been a fan of Chili Peppers since the early days, and I think your review SUCKS! I love their harmony on this one and I think they show they are growing up (not that we want them to grow up too much) Keep on Rockin BOYS and SCREW THIS REVIEW!
geez i dont even bother reading the reviews anymore. when i try reading them, my eyes get all unfocused and i begin to read (as i quote) "...yet they managed to resist the siren's hablah blah blah blaaaaaaaaaaah"
Erlewine's "review" is astoundingly off target...Stadium is a classic--an instant international smash hit--great tunes, fun lyrics, great humor, deep thoughts, old school and new school licks, Frusciante and Flea at their best, Chad's syncopation and funk down to it, and Anthony's vocals ultimate smart lyric meets tight music. Proof once again that critics are lame...Whine on, Erle, whine on.
wow for someone that liked to complain about the long album, the reviewer sure is a windbag of pointlessness himself, i like listining to this album when i go on road trips, got some nifty tunes
haha, the review on here sucked
i think the dudes ears just couldnt handle the music, and yea, a few songs were not so great, but in my opinion it was a great album :)
This is a better album than it is given credit for. The order you listen to it doesn't matter, it has a great blend of everything. I love the crazy solos in Readymade, Turn It Again, and Torture Me. I especially love the Wet Sand and Especially In Michigan solos, they always give me the chills.
I must completely agree with Irmmcguire on this. Sure, many songs do sound similar, but they are all of high quality and sound great. I find that if you care so much about the order of the songs, then you must not be listening to the actual songs very carefully, although I admit there were about 5 songs that could have been cut out of this album. Still, it was a great success, and really, it doesn't matter what you think, this album reached the top of the charts everywhere.
Erlewine says over and over again how dissapointing Stadium Arcadium is, but then he also says how every song is very solid, "it's all wheat." He is contradictory. The album is in fact very excellent; the music throughout it is incredible. I don't know if he fails to recognize how good the red hot chili peppers sound on every song. Their consistency is amazing, and their music is great.
Great album... Fav's have got to be Readymade, Turn It Again, Dani California, and Snow but there's so much greatness here that it really makes it hard to choose.
I have very mixed feelings about Stadium Arcadium. On the one hand, I adored Snow and Make You Feel Better, and things like Wet Sand and C'mon Girl had a groove that I could get with. On the other hand, everything else was a major flop. It was boring to the point where I eventually had to delete all but the best songs off of my iPod. A big disappointment that this big project only has one or two very strong points of light (Snow is my favorite song of theirs ever) but is just plain dull.
Erlewine needs to get a life. He nit-picks. While this album isn't the Chili-Peppers' best, it is solid and has some good highlights. The one thing I agree with him on is that, while Kiedis is a decent singer, he is definitely the weak link in this band which otherwise is excellent musicianship-wise.
Erlewine has a point in terms of how the album doesn't really follow a cohesive order... but I like this feature myself.
I did think this was slightly biased, but once again, I also think he makes some valid points. There could have been more of a purpose, but I think the Chili Peppers know their fan base well enough to realize that it doesn't matter... people who like their music will like it regardless. Because the whole album's pretty solid stuff.
I agree with other users here. This review was written with such a biased viewpoint in mind; it gives a slanted view of the album. Reading this review, I would never have bought the album. Luckily I didn't listen to Mr. Erlewine, as this is one of my favorites in my collection. I just ask that you write with less editorial, because as much as you dislike this album, obviously many others liked it, seeing the album had three #1 singles and reached the top of the charts in more than ten countries.
seriously? Did this guy say "Anthony Kiedis is a liability to the band"? That statement should speak for itself and this reviewer should never be allowed to review another work of music again.
you are all talking out of your asses. this guy clearly just dislikes the red hot chili peppers. get a new singer? are youcrazy?!?! anthony kiedis is one of the greatest most versatile singers ever. the album doesnt need to have flow. it just needs to have kick-a** songs, which, guess what, IT DOES!!! The combination of Flea and chad smith make the most fantastic core for kiedis and john frusciante to play/sing on top of. Stadium Arcadium is an unbelievable album for the greatest band of the tim
I agree mostly with the review; individual songs are good, but direction and flow are non-exsistant when compared to other chili pepper albums. Though i will say that I think that this is some of the best stuff I've heard from them, just not great as an album.
i'm surprised at how mundane this album is. they're trying but, they don't get the right feel, i feel bad for em'. because i know they are capable of much more- so i say- best of luck to the next RHCP's album!!