Typically I prepare for my posts throughout the day. I listen to music constantly while I drive around town. It's really one of my most favorite parts of my job, the other being the puzzle of addressing how a car got damaged and how far that damage traveled. Today, however, I couldn't help but feel underwhelmed when getting ready for this post. I love... emphatically love the Blood Sugar Sex Magik album, but I've come to realize it's just not a "Desert Island Disc".
Anthony Kedis' insane lyrics of feelings, drug trips, and other adventures are outstanding, but the disc itself is too much of a roller coaster to ever be on repeat (preferably with 4-5 other albums) for a desert island eternity. I somewhat always knew this, but at the same time I always wanted more out of this pinnacle of Red Hot Chili Pepperdom.
Even after reading Scar Tissue the Kedis autobiography, and understanding more of the lyrics, especially his ever constant binge and purge with drugs galore, I just can't give the whole album a complete pass. I enjoy the songs more deeply than I did in high school, but at the same time, I am disappointed with the albums ups and downs.
The first down portion of Blood Sugar Sex Magik comes quickly on track four. 'Funky Monks' in its own rights a solid song about the lack of troublemakers that make up the band, but terribly placed after three aces. 'Power of Equality' the first track, a funk rap, starts off the album with a shout out to Chuck D taking a look at the feelings of race inequality. 'If You Have to Ask' is funk-tastic with Flea's awesome bass lines. 'Breaking the Girl' starts the slow down, but is still a stellar track. 'Funky Monks' as mentioned above is the front side weak link. It serves more of a purpose of a funk interlude than a serviceable track. 'Suck My Kiss' pumps things right back with Flea's trademark slap bass stylings.
Tracks 6&7 are where the disc officially gets tossed off the island. 'I Could Have Lied' & 'Mellowship Slinky In B Major' are great songs, in which Kedis really finds his voice, unlike past efforts which have bordered on rap. He furthermore raises the bar on his lyrics. On the previous effort Mothers Milk when giving a shout out to hero's he chose the L.A. Lakers, in this case, he raps about Twain, Bukowski, Capote, Count Basie, and Hendrix ("..Purple haze now.."). Regardless In between 'Suck my Kiss' and 'Give it Away' the link is just too weak.
The second half starts off great with track 8, 'Righteous and the Wicked', but the album is about three tracks too long. The deep lyrics are fantastic and the bridge/solo from 2:31-3:04 is outstanding.
'Give It Away' is next and will always be in my top 5 Red Hot Chili Peppers tracks. Truthfully this was the first time I had ever even heard of Bob Marley
'Give It Away' by the Red Hot Chili Peppers from Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Track 10, 'Blood Sugar Sex Magik' is a proper interlude for this funk odyssey. This time, rather than being a bit of a slow downer, you get the vocal contrast of Kedis growling to his rapping about another sex-capade.
'Under the Bridge' Is the deal sealer for this album, as well for Kedis himself. He might of well gone to A.A. and said "my name is Anthony Kedis and I'm an addict" but instead, he wrote this beautiful song about hitting bottom and scoring drugs under the freeways on a before and after tours.
a stellar live version of 'Under the Bridge' by the Red Hot Chili Peppersbut please check out the original
In my perfect world, the album would end with the next three tracks. 'Naked in the Rain' is a perfect come down from 'Under the Bridge'. 'Apache Rose Peacock' is another sex-funk journey. Finally 'Greeting Song' is a fast paced punk track, which on repeat would go great right back into 'Power of Equality'. However, three more tracks exist on this 77 minute album. (Which was always impressive to me as compact discs were always listed as a max of 70 min, but somehow they squeezed more here).
Don't get me wrong, I'm cool with 'My Lovely Man' but the eight minute sex rant of 'Sir Psycho Sexy' coupled with the ditty 'They're Red Hot' is just too much to add onto the end.
Finally to make matters more confusing, the best track that didn't make the album, but was created in the BSSM sessions was ‘Soul to Squeeze.' How do they have the never-ending Blood Sugar Sex Magik, and not have this track?
the making of Blood Sugar Sex Magik including 'Soul to Squeeze' by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
Coneheads Soundtrack official release including the official 'Soul to Squeeze' by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
Until the next Desert Island Review, when I promise to have an actual complete listen.
For more enjoyment, check out redhotchilipeppers.com
Enjoy!
Anthony Kedis' insane lyrics of feelings, drug trips, and other adventures are outstanding, but the disc itself is too much of a roller coaster to ever be on repeat (preferably with 4-5 other albums) for a desert island eternity. I somewhat always knew this, but at the same time I always wanted more out of this pinnacle of Red Hot Chili Pepperdom.
Even after reading Scar Tissue the Kedis autobiography, and understanding more of the lyrics, especially his ever constant binge and purge with drugs galore, I just can't give the whole album a complete pass. I enjoy the songs more deeply than I did in high school, but at the same time, I am disappointed with the albums ups and downs.
The first down portion of Blood Sugar Sex Magik comes quickly on track four. 'Funky Monks' in its own rights a solid song about the lack of troublemakers that make up the band, but terribly placed after three aces. 'Power of Equality' the first track, a funk rap, starts off the album with a shout out to Chuck D taking a look at the feelings of race inequality. 'If You Have to Ask' is funk-tastic with Flea's awesome bass lines. 'Breaking the Girl' starts the slow down, but is still a stellar track. 'Funky Monks' as mentioned above is the front side weak link. It serves more of a purpose of a funk interlude than a serviceable track. 'Suck My Kiss' pumps things right back with Flea's trademark slap bass stylings.
Tracks 6&7 are where the disc officially gets tossed off the island. 'I Could Have Lied' & 'Mellowship Slinky In B Major' are great songs, in which Kedis really finds his voice, unlike past efforts which have bordered on rap. He furthermore raises the bar on his lyrics. On the previous effort Mothers Milk when giving a shout out to hero's he chose the L.A. Lakers, in this case, he raps about Twain, Bukowski, Capote, Count Basie, and Hendrix ("..Purple haze now.."). Regardless In between 'Suck my Kiss' and 'Give it Away' the link is just too weak.
The second half starts off great with track 8, 'Righteous and the Wicked', but the album is about three tracks too long. The deep lyrics are fantastic and the bridge/solo from 2:31-3:04 is outstanding.
"Holy mother earth
Crying into space
Tears on her pretty face
Because she had been raped
Killing your future blood
Fill her with disease
Global abortion please
That is what she needs
The righteous and the wicked
War and peace
The killing fist
Of the human beast
P.O.P.
Prodigies of peace
Hear me when I'm calling you
From my knees
I am playing for a better day (oh yeah)
Playing for a better day"
Crying into space
Tears on her pretty face
Because she had been raped
Killing your future blood
Fill her with disease
Global abortion please
That is what she needs
The righteous and the wicked
War and peace
The killing fist
Of the human beast
P.O.P.
Prodigies of peace
Hear me when I'm calling you
From my knees
I am playing for a better day (oh yeah)
Playing for a better day"
Righteous and the Wicked by the Red Hot Chili Peppers from Blood Sugar Sex Magik for your listening pleasure
'Give It Away' is next and will always be in my top 5 Red Hot Chili Peppers tracks. Truthfully this was the first time I had ever even heard of Bob Marley
"Bob Marley poet and a prophet
Bob Marley taught me how to off it
Bob Marley walkin' like he talk it
Bob Marley taught me how to off it
Bob Marley walkin' like he talk it
Goodness me can't you see I'm gonna cough it"
'Give It Away' by the Red Hot Chili Peppers from Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Track 10, 'Blood Sugar Sex Magik' is a proper interlude for this funk odyssey. This time, rather than being a bit of a slow downer, you get the vocal contrast of Kedis growling to his rapping about another sex-capade.
'Under the Bridge' Is the deal sealer for this album, as well for Kedis himself. He might of well gone to A.A. and said "my name is Anthony Kedis and I'm an addict" but instead, he wrote this beautiful song about hitting bottom and scoring drugs under the freeways on a before and after tours.
a stellar live version of 'Under the Bridge' by the Red Hot Chili Peppersbut please check out the original
In my perfect world, the album would end with the next three tracks. 'Naked in the Rain' is a perfect come down from 'Under the Bridge'. 'Apache Rose Peacock' is another sex-funk journey. Finally 'Greeting Song' is a fast paced punk track, which on repeat would go great right back into 'Power of Equality'. However, three more tracks exist on this 77 minute album. (Which was always impressive to me as compact discs were always listed as a max of 70 min, but somehow they squeezed more here).
Don't get me wrong, I'm cool with 'My Lovely Man' but the eight minute sex rant of 'Sir Psycho Sexy' coupled with the ditty 'They're Red Hot' is just too much to add onto the end.
Finally to make matters more confusing, the best track that didn't make the album, but was created in the BSSM sessions was ‘Soul to Squeeze.' How do they have the never-ending Blood Sugar Sex Magik, and not have this track?
the making of Blood Sugar Sex Magik including 'Soul to Squeeze' by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
Coneheads Soundtrack official release including the official 'Soul to Squeeze' by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
Until the next Desert Island Review, when I promise to have an actual complete listen.
For more enjoyment, check out redhotchilipeppers.com
Enjoy!
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