Red Hot Chili Peppers
EMI Records 1987
Vocals-Anthony Kiedis
Guitar-Hillel Slovak
Bass-Flea/Michael Balzary
Drums-Jack Irons
The third and final album released by the original Chili Peppers and their best of that era. The band had definitely had a long time to gel (knowing each other since early high school) and had produced two great funk albums, but this album brought them out more to the mainstream. Unfortunately, Hillel Slovak died of an accidental heroin overdose, which later lead to Jack Irons resigning his post as drummer. But Kiedis and Flea stuck together, leading to the forming of the now 'clean' Chili Peppers. But this album remains a superb epitaph for the band and contains their most famous songs by the original line-up.
Fight Like A Brave
Fantastic Song. Great, simple main riff, which a great slap bass line and superb vocal on top. Probably more well known for being on Tony Hawk's 3 than for anything else, this song has a non-stop pace. The chorus is catchy, with the group 'harmonies' (if you will) working well to create that gang atmosphere. Also features Hillel's best ever solo which jumps up and down the top strings and ends in a perfect sample of Pinch Harmonics. A great opener to an album and a fantastic rock song.
Funky Crime
Despite that dissonant chord opening (like a funk version of Aeroplane), this song soon kicks into a catchy, stop-start riff (which makes it obvious where Frusciante got his Mellowship Slinky Style strums from) with an odd, conversationy chorus. The chorus is just two words with a simple guitar riff, a formula which works well and the solo is again, fairly basic catchy affair, with a main riff followed by three different ending, each one beautifully synchronised with the bass.
Me and My Friends
A classic Chilis song with a great Flea intro. The guitar parts, are drowned out by the chantey, group vocals and the great drum and bass section. But the verse is excellent with a great vocal part from the Swan, the guitar also picks up. Listening to the lyrics is also fun as each verse contain references to the band members. A nice, simple, almost Hendrix like solo, but the Bass and Vocals are the stars here.
Backwoods
The most rockin' song on the album, with a distorted indistinct one chord (that continues all the way through) intro which jumps into a great pop-slap bass line. The chorus is similar to the verse with only the guitar and vocal increasing, which is a nice touch as it feels as though the song keeps up a hgih tempo throughout. Although I do feel another verse or two is needed, the bass solo come in after just a minute, the guitar solo is short but sweet and the interlude is a classic Kiedis/Flea collaboration.
Skinny Sweaty Man
Good for a laugh but like They're Red Hot on BSSM, it's never gonna be taken terribly seriously. A good drum intro and a surprisingly good guitar lick for a joke song, unfortunately the comedy voices tend to grate, even though Kiedis isn't too bad. But the 'chorus' always cracks me up.
Behind The Sun
Fantastic Bass Intro which I can never work out by ear, jumps into a great guitar riff. This song is just plain great. Hillel experiments with a Sitar which rings out through most of the verses and Flea's bass line pops up again once or twice. The only thing I'm unsure of is the vocals, I think it's double tracked Kiedis but occasionally, you wouldn't recognise it. Otherwise this song, a bout a talking dolphin and your daughter (who may even be a boy) is the poppiest song on the album and comes complete with a stair solo and a lot of verses which you'll try to sing along to, but will never quite know the words to.
Subterranean Homesick Blues
Best Song in the album. Great surge of an intro with a great guitar, distorted bass, lyrics and singing. Bob Dylan wrote all of it apparently, but it just seems to be classic Chili. A great simple chorus with a group shout 'Look out Kid!'. Simple, sweet, superb.
Special Secret Song Inside
I dare not say the real title. Another jokey song, fairly amusing lyrics, overly simple guitar and, oddly, women singing in the chorus. Doesn't quite work for me, despite a great bass riff and a catchy chorus and very rockin solo. Some will like it, but I just can't see it. Only Kiedis could get away with saying 'Slap That Cat, Have Mercy!'
No Chump Love Sucker
A very angry song which on closer inspection swears a lot less than you'd think. Nice, group verse which cut off into average Kiedis vocal sections. The instrumentals don't work until the chorus, which are far too short. A lot of potential but in the end it's an OK song, great punk record marred by repetitive verses and the 'No Chump Love Sucker'? Whose idea was that?
Walking' On Down The Road
Great Bass intro (reminds me of Funky Monks guitar part) which is interrupted far too early. But, luckily, the guitar is great and almost like a Western theme. The verses are great (almost no guitar until the second verse) and the choruses are equally impressive(could have been improved by easier lyrics to remember, to accompany the catchy melody). Nice instrumental interlude.
Love Trilogy
Very slow, minimal bass and scratchy guitar. Kiedis does a seductive number and the melody suits this perfectly, slightly too slow. The little bass interlude is promising but then the song kind of takes a turn for the worse, and the melody in the chorus is very awkward, not helped by the increase in tempo. Odd 'My Love is...' section. Average song
Organic Anti-Beat Box Band
A perfect end to an album an in a way, to the original line up. It's about the Chilis and is similar to Good Time Boys on Mother's Milk. Great catchy lyrics in the chorus. It's a very infectious song, courtesy of Kiedis' MC, almost like a DJ, inviting everyone up to dance, interrupted by a very short but effective solo and a great ending, the group sing out together, like 'Hey Jude'.
Overall=3.9/5
I really like this album, and it's not even my fave Chilis album. I hope my review helped you to do whatever you wanted to do and one small word of advice, if you have a choice between the remastered version or an original, the only thing the remastered has is a Flea foreword and two terribly recorded demos.
Enjoy!
This Message Edited On 10.02.05
