RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS
Stadium Arcadium
Warner
· Sexy, syncopated rhythms and masterfully layered tracks help the Peppers bring the funk on their latest album.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers have always done something that is quite rare in today’s rock music landscape – they make you want to get up and dance.
Stadium Arcadium is no exception. The overall feel of the record is almost oxymoronic. It’s both transcendent and funky. The Peppers seem to be evoking their earliest work– and the peaceful chaos that makes their songs fresh, innovative and magnificently kinky. At the same time, though, a listener can detect just how far the Peppers have come since their early days, as each song is put together with a maestro’s expertise.
The Peppers aren’t afraid to use and rework the catchy, rhyme-laden formula that has worked so well for them in the past, as heard on "Dani California," the first single. The song "Hump De Bump" is classic Chili Peppers, both blues-infused and funkerific. Guitar guru John Frusciante sprinkles his magic all over this double-disc release; he is without a doubt the star of this record. The colourfully groovy "Charlie" showcases Frusciante’s duelling guitar solos and a steadily melodic progression. Frusciante’s falsetto backing vocals are sublime. Anthony Kiedis is still a master of the swift-tongued rhymes, and he’s out in full- force on "Tell Me Baby" and "Storm in a Teacup," which is reminiscent of Blood Sugar Sex Magik’s "Give it Away." Flea, the superbly spastic bass player, delivers a euphonious and vibrant sound on "She’s Only 18," and on "Torture Me" he gets down and slaphappy.
The tender, romantic side of the Peppers is palpable on tracks such as "If" and "Hard to Concentrate."
Stadium Arcadium, a double album of more than 25 songs, is nothing short of brilliant.
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