Stadium Arcadium

[jackrock]

This album is great, pure great. If you even a slight fan of Red hot chili peppers, buy it. buy it now.

[brooklyndust]

i have to listen to it a few more times

so far, i dont know what to think

it could have been one album in my opinion

[Kid Presentable]

Average. I was expecting something heavier, if at least bluesier.

And they're turning into Led Zeppelin; their frontman is the least interesting/talented character of them all.

[Freebasser]

My opinion from t'other board I knew that Stadium Arcadium would have a lot of pretentious filler but I didn't think it would have THAT much pretentious filler (n)

Honestly, there's barely enough good tracks to make a half decent single album. Those guys should get back on the drugs again and create a Blood Sugar Sex Magik for the noughties.

In fact, I was so disillusioned that I went and bought the best of Funkadelic to ease my craving for popping and slapping. Best £4.50 I ever spent :cool:

...I think there's maybe two songs where the funk actually gets up in your face, and even then it's role reversal as Frusciante does all the hard work and Flea plays the notes that are left over.

It's as if both songs are in there purely so that people will remember that back in the 80s they were a funk band, so that they can say "there, we did the obligatory funk song, now let's get down to some hardcore Snorerock!".

[Drederick Tatum]

the only thing better than buying a Funkadelic album would be selling a RHCP album in order to buy a Funkadelic album.

[saml]

rhcp is the worst group ever

[nypb]

It's getting better with more spins. Give it a chance. Can't wait to see them live this summer.

[brooklyndust]

It's getting better with more spins. Give it a chance. Can't wait to see them live this summer.

agree

[Kid Presentable]

I hate that new video. The Nirvana part makes me cringe, it's difficult to appreciate on any level.

[cosmo105]

rhcp is the worst group ever
mhm

[Mr Films]

I'm feelin the Mars disc more but it's pretty damn great.

I think it could have been narrowed to one album and it'd be a masterpiece but the beauty part about it is that everyone would probably pick different tracks for a compilation.

i like it a lot and I'm not even a rhcp fan, really.

[Drederick Tatum]

just the name of the album pisses me off. "this is music for the widest, most profitable audience possible."

[b-grrrlie]

I used to be a huge RHCP fan (saw them in 1987, in 1990 at Brixton, etc), but still haven't heard the new album complete. Last time I saw them live John just about ruined everything by playing a 20 minute ad lib guitar solo as a finish to a great gig. I've always loved Flea (and I'd still do Chad), but what I've heard now that John has had most to do with the new songs so I'm a bit afraid (thought his solo albums have been pretentious crap...) so I'm gonna wait with getting the album by waiting the library to get it first so I can loan it from there (so the band will get their beloved money instead of if I'd download it from soulseek...)

[Lindsey_1535]

I'm not a big enough fan to wade though, what seems like, the same song over and over again.

Honestly, both discs sound pretty monotonius.

[Mr Films]

"this is music for the widest, most profitable audience possible."

i fail to see what's wrong with this concept.

[Drederick Tatum]

well I read it as rather than following a musical direction that interests or inspires them, they instead concentrate on making product.

this band is a joke and haven't put anything out of critical note for about 12 years.

[Kid Presentable]

Listening to Blood Sugar Sex Magik now. Now there's an album. It's like having Botsy Collins, Jimi Hendrix (sorta) and John Bonham in the one band.

In fact, it's making me hate the Peppers even more.(y)

[Lorentzson]

Ive only heard the hit "Dani California" and I must say I hated it, it kills me to watch such a talent as Flea getting wasted on shit! Im not going to buy this album, infact i will avoid even hearing it. They had their chance on "By the Way" and they blew it big time.

Lets face it, The Red hot Chili Peppers are dead...

(Btw. B,S,S,M is spectacular)

[Mr Films]

Lets face it, The Red hot Chili Peppers are dead...

if you say so

[alexandra]

Hump De Bump is the shit.

[Mr Films]

well I read it as rather than following a musical direction that interests or inspires them, they instead concentrate on making product.

seems quite the opposite to me.

they took a big risk putting out a double album. they also took 4 years when they probably had enough material to release something last year or maybe even 04. instead they kept recording and put out the music they wanted.

imo, anyways.

[alexandra]

i wouldn't call myself a big fan, but they're true rockers in my eyes. four talented guys kicking it. although i can't tell some songs apart on this album, they all have something that makes them worth listening to. Snow (Hey Oh) is my favorite atm. and i just learned to play Wet Sand on guitar.

[DJ_Skrilla]

Sick Album. Fuck the haterz! Snow (oh) is an instant favorite! (y)

[Freebasser]

seems quite the opposite to me.

they took a big risk putting out a double album. they also took 4 years when they probably had enough material to release something last year or maybe even 04. instead they kept recording and put out the music they wanted.

imo, anyways.

There was no risk. They're a world famous band with a huge fanbase - they could have reworked Phil Collins' greatest hits and it'd still sell in the bucketloads.

And it's chumps like me who keep expecting the second coming who put them in this position by buying their sub-par records.

[Freebasser]

Hump De Bump is shit.

(y)

Flea playing the notes left over (n)

[enree erzweglle]

I'm not a big enough fan to wade though, what seems like, the same song over and over again.

Honestly, both discs sound pretty monotonius.The monotony fades after a few dedicated listens.

[ericlee]

man, this just kills me. Comments like "they suck." In which aspect do they suck or are the worse band? They're a music band right?

The musicians, Chad Smith, Flea and John Frusciante. Honestly, I can't see any suckiness going on with those guys. Some of the best musicians to date.
If they suck as a music band, it would mean that they have no knowledge of the instruments in which they have chosen to play.

Anthony Keides, he's a singer and you know what? He actually sings. He's got a decent voice compared to some of these bands like the ones who sound like they're just trying to clear a huge hocker from thier throat.

Nothing they've put out after Blood Sugar Sex has amazed me. I almost hate their newer stuff. I hate the music because it's really not to my personal liking but I for one thing do know, they don't suck.

[enree erzweglle]

Anthony KeidesAnd I hate to say this but man, he's easy on the eyes.

[DroppinScience]

man, this just kills me. Comments like "they suck." In which aspect do they suck or are the worse band? They're a music band right?

It's just an opinion. An entirely misguided one, but it's an opinion.

[alexandra]

(y)

Flea playing the notes left over (n)
so i'm listening to the song right now and see your avatar, and all of sudden the song's title is Hump De Bum. :rolleyes:

some basslines are pretty tight, so Flea gets to shine too. actually, everyone does. him and John made most of the songs, he says, then Chad on drums (duh) and Anthony wrote the lyrics. i never noticed what a wicked drummer Chad is.

[ericlee]

so i'm listening to the song right now and see your avatar, and all of sudden the song's title is Hump De Bum. :rolleyes:

some basslines are pretty tight, so Flea gets to shine too. actually, everyone does. him and John made most of the songs, he says, then Chad on drums (duh) and Anthony wrote the lyrics. i never noticed what a wicked drummer Chad is.

true dat about Chad, I saw something in either 97 or earlier where he rhythmically played a 200 piece set. He hit every tom and cymbal and it sounded so tight and precise.

What he does with the band is a mere 50% of his actual capability.

[Mr Films]

There was no risk. They're a world famous band with a huge fanbase - they could have reworked Phil Collins' greatest hits and it'd still sell in the bucketloads.

From what I understand, By The Way wasn't a huge gigantic hit.

[Kid Presentable]

From what I understand, By The Way wasn't a huge gigantic hit.
From what I understand, it was. And irrespective, plenty of people liked it. I thought it was godawful.

[Mr Films]

I thought it was godawful.

awwww

i love it.

By the Way
Universally Speaking
Don't Forget Me
Can't Stop
Midnight

just some of the highlights.

ps, i HATE Californication

[DroppinScience]

While you guys are busy hating on/loving the Peppers, I know there's some reissues of their early albums (before they signed to Warner). Wonder if the bonus tracks are good.

In either case, I'm missing their first album, so at the very least, I'm getting that one.

[enree erzweglle]

I just finished watching the making of Dani California (the video) on Fuse. Great piece. They did a good job with and seemed to have so much fun depicting the various eras. There were times when I would have sworn that I was seeing a version of Anthony from like 10 years ago; he doesn't seem to have changed much.

[kaiser soze]

I bet at least 50% of their fans nowadays don't even know Flea played/plays trumpet

The Chili Peppers today don't even compare to Chilis past. It seems they have softened up like a cupcake on a 90 degree dashboard. Power Ballad after power ballad. Granted they are older and sober now, but I want some in your face funkin' spunk...the kind of music they rocked that would stick to you like glue.

I've been listening to them since Red Hot Chili Peppers up to Blood Sugar and it's sad to see their funkin' punk go powder puff. Don't get me wrong...there are songs since that I enjoy, but I haven't felt the spark they once lit under my ass.

Their best love song is STILL Party on Your Pussy!

[cosmo105]

hahaha. dani california = last dance w/ mary jane ripoff

[Kid Presentable]

hahaha. dani california = last dance w/ mary jane ripoff
Yeah, good call.

Fight Like a Brave>>>>>all of Stadium Arcadium.

[enree erzweglle]

hahaha. dani california = last dance w/ mary jane ripoffOh, weird. The very first time I heard the intro to that song, I thought: Tom Petty. But the thought was fleeting until I read ^^^. Hmmm.

[Documad]

I was never a fan, but they used to be fun in the 80s. I'm the one who hated Under the Bridge because it was over-played on our classic rock station -- as the only "new" song that year. That was back when I still listened to classic rock on the radio, meaning it was pre ipod and probably pre CD player in first real car.

I have never understood the argument that a band is good because the individual musicians know how to play their instruments. But then, that's never what I'm looking for in a band. I realize that some people use that as a criteria, and I certainly heard the argument a lot in my youth in defense of Rush. I have always liked bands who can barely play, but somehow manage to get to me nonetheless.

P.S. Except for FB, I can't even guess what the CD is like from all the comments. :p But double albums are almost always the kiss of death with me. Still, it's not as self indulgent as releasing two albums at one time a la Springsteen.

[Drederick Tatum]

I have never understood the argument that a band is good because the individual musicians know how to play their instruments. But then, that's never what I'm looking for in a band. I realize that some people use that as a criteria, and I certainly heard the argument a lot in my youth in defense of Rush. I have always liked bands who can barely play, but somehow manage to get to me nonetheless.


I hear that. Rush, Dreamtheater, Primus, Tool. all of them, sucking dicks.

I certainly heard the argument a lot in my youth

thats the thing. it revolves around some kind of juvenile homoerotic hero worship.

[SobaViolence]

i think 'uninspired' is the term i'm looking for with regards to RCHP.

but whatever...their purpose has always been to reach mass appeal, and after Californication, mission accomplished.

so now they're just riding out the wave.

[FunkyHiFi]

I have never understood the argument that a band is good because the individual musicians know how to play their instruments.

This reminds me a genre of music that is becoming more and more popular every day: smooth jazz. This has got to be the most extreme-vanilla/putrid music I've ever heard. The Stepford Wife of the music world. :eek: Notes perfectly played, everything flows with near mathematical purity.....and has absolutely no soul. Completely forgettable. They actually have live concerts for this stuff now - frightening!!!

I grew up listening to Rush, Yes and other prog rock groups and in hindsight, I have to agree that much of the music was overly thought out, processed and boring to listen to (not ALL of it though). But what I really did & still like about them was the lyrical content - much of what they sung about, particlularly Rush and Yes, really affected me and stays with me to this day.

I think that sometimes soem musicans concentrate too much on playing the music and they end up losing their spontaneity, resulting in a lifeless perfomance/recording. Whereas many less talented people just want to say something that is important to them and music is used to communicate that message, but it doesn't have to be perfectly played to do that. And since that doesn't get in the way, more of the person's spirit emerges in their performance, so for many people this makes it more enjoyable (more "organic" I guess you say).

it revolves around some kind of juvenile homoerotic hero worship.
Oh come on. While I realize great musicians can make sucky music, there's nothing wrong with someone looking up to a person with talent. And hero worship has nothing to do with being homosexual - sheesh. If anything kids should engage in more hero worship, because doing so would give them a goal to work towards i.e. a reference point to help put other things in their lives in perspective (trust me: chaos is overrated). Unfortunately the politically-correct crew has made it seem that trying to be special is bad because it would make other kids feel bad i.e. the kids too lazy to get up off their butts and do something for themselves.* As a result many kids now think blah mediocrity is O.K. so they walk around with no stable personal reference points to help guide them through life - definitely not a good thing. See apathy. (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=apathy)

And hero worship isn't just for kids - trust me, lots of adults look up to other adults but keep this to themselves.

Sorry for the rant, but this kind of stuff just really bothers me.

* a perfect example of this kind of thinking: giving a trophy to every kid on a sports team so no one feels left out. But what about the kids who worked harder than everybody else? >>> If you try to make EVERYONE feel special, than simple logic says no one is special....because then they're all the same!

[Drederick Tatum]

hahahaha

note to self: homoerotic hero worship bothers Funky Hifi.

[FunkyHiFi]

Argh. :( That's not what I meant. I was just saying that if one guy thinks what another guy does is cool, that it is O.K. to think that way.

I admit I tend to be a bit wordy - sorry for the confusion.:o

Anyhoo, back to the Peppers..............

[Drederick Tatum]

I got what you meant the first time. I was just amused at the effort you put into rebuting a rather throw-away comment on my part.

[Gareth]

it looks like anthony kiedis is clowning avril lavigne by wearing that shirt/tie combo in the dani california video.

[enree erzweglle]

it looks like anthony kiedis is clowning avril lavigne by wearing that shirt/tie combo in the dani california video.Yeah, he keeps wearing it too. This is the one with black capri-style guy pants, black shirt, and either a pinkish tie or a vest. He has worn it in the video, and in the SNL and Fuse performances. Maybe he did all of those events in one day. :)

[SobaViolence]

I think that sometimes some musicans concentrate too much on playing the music and they end up losing their spontaneity, resulting in a lifeless perfomance/recording. Whereas many less talented people just want to say something that is important to them and music is used to communicate that message, but it doesn't have to be perfectly played to do that. And since that doesn't get in the way, more of the person's spirit emerges in their performance, so for many people this makes it more enjoyable (more "organic" I guess you say).


(y)

[FunkyHiFi]

I was just amused at the effort you put into rebuting a rather throw-away comment on my part.
I used to work in the education biz and to adults, such comments usually *are* no big deal. But to kids, certain off hand comments can really affect them (as I found out several times the hard way!). And many kids these days are having a rough time i.e. corporations telling them they need X product so people will like them, certain TV shows pushing their own negative messages, etc etc. And worst of all, combine all that with the fact that many parents are doing practically no parenting*, which would give the kid a way to help make sense of all this crap surrounding them. When so many teens(!!) now need anti-depressants to get through the day, something ain't right. I think I would get bummed out too if I were just floating in a void, not knowing what was right/wrong, good/bad, etc.

O.K. I'm done. :D

As far as the RHCPs, a lot of us are so bothered by the crummy sound of modern CDs, someone started a petition (http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/showthread.php?t=225395) for Warner Bros. to remaster some of their earlier albums. This may have worked since Warner is allowing an independent mastering engineer do the mastering for the vinyl version (http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=82270) - they hardly ever allow this to happen with brand new albums, especially with such a $-making group like RHCPs. FYI: it will also be available in a red vinyl version.:eek:


* too many self-proclaimed child experts out there telling us to let Johnny be a "free spirit", which means keeping all rules and standards to an absolute minimum. Well, that may work in Oz or some other fairyland but not in the real world.

[Drederick Tatum]

freespirits in Oz get butt raped. I saw it on tv.

[FunkyHiFi]

Oops, forgot about that show (I've never seen it).

O.K. how about Candy Land, wherever it is Spongebob hangs out, or Mr. Wonka's factory? ;)

[FunkyHiFi]

This is for the other techno-nerds here:) : the guy who is mastering the vinyl version of Stadium Arcadium (I think I mentioned this was happening somewhere else here last month) posted waveforms of the vinyl version vs. the CD version.

"Red Hot Chili Peppers "Stadium" on LP getting closer to being released, look at this." (http://stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=84600)

The CD version is very compressed i.e. its sounds "in your face" no matter what volume you listen at and because it lacks dynamic range a large chunk of the emotion & beat of the music is lost.

FYI: loudness and dynamic range are two different things.

For a non-techie explantion of this with graphics, go here: "The Death of Dynamic Range: A Chronology of the Compact Disc Loudness Wars" (http://www.mindspring.com/~mrichter/dynamics/dynamics.htm)

Too-loud CDs (which can result in clipped/distorted waveforms) and overcompression are done nowadays mostly to make crummy MP3 versions played on cheap earbuds & used in noisy environments sound half-way decent. :( But for people with real audio systems used at home, this type of sound can be nearly unlistenable because of the early onset of listener's fatigue.

BTW: this is an article that made major waves in the pro audio world regarding how music is being ruined by the dumb recording practices above:

"Over The Limit" (http://www.prorec.com/prorec/articles.nsf/articles/8A133F52D0FD71AB86256C2E005DAF1C)

It has a very effective example of when your *eyes* encounter overcompression - just skip to the middle of the article, you can't miss it.

[dave790]

Tell Me baby, the new single, does nothing for me. It's not a bad song, but I'd probably pick most of the songs of By The Way over it, and that's not even an amazing album in my mind.

Still, they're playing Reading with Ben Harper soon so if I'm there I doubt I'll be complaining about this band!

[Kid Presentable]

Fucking criminal po-jam shite, with no gusto.

[AdRockGRL]

This album is great, pure great. If you even a slight fan of Red hot chili peppers, buy it. buy it now.
I've recieved it as a present for my birthday ('cause I'm a dig fan of RHCP since I was 9, and listened to "Give It Away")....anyway I think this album is good 'cause I was quite disappointed about "By The Way" ... this one is like a returning to "BloodsugarSexMagik" sounds... Songs like "Slow Cheeta" make me remind of the oldies ones... I like it! I think it's good!