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THE REVIEW
The wait was frantic... the absence for about 3 years from the airwaves as well as from the tabloids only served to cloak this new creation in a shroud of mystery!!!
"Stadium Arcadium", indeed, a double album, a first disc "Jupiter" with classic sounds, the Funk that made "our guys" famous, and a second disc "Mars" melodic and almost lunar, ethereal despite the title... somewhere between "By The Way" and the Beach Boys if they had been founded 20 years later.
The magic of downloading allowed me to preview the latest chapter in the artistic history of the Californian band... and I will never thank the internet enough for this opportunity: sure, I was craving Red Hot Chili Peppers but the single on the radio sweetened the craving, not to mention the video: in a single word, brilliant!!
Antony Kiedis is in great shape... Flea is on the levels of "Californication" and "One Hot Minute", also doing well on the horns (for those who don't know, he is a passionate trumpeter!!) and a Frusciante in a state of grace unleashing hallucinated effects like never before, supported by a Chad Smith in top form behind the drums, they release their "Masterpiece".
"De Gustibus non disputandum est" and indeed in this album the overall quality is truly high, it will be up to personal inclination of the listener to choose their favorite tracks.
In truth, I confess that I didn't skip any of the tracks of this "Stadium Arcadium" during the listening sessions just concluded although my favorites are "Readymade", a big AC/DC riff and a Tom Morello-era Audioslave arpeggio for John Frusciante, "Desecration Smile" a sort of "Venice Queen" act two, the sizzle "Hump de Bump" with standout percussion like never before, not to mention the classic tones in the "pepper's" strings of "Torture Me", "Tell me Baby", and "C'mon Girl", funkier than ever... if you're nostalgic for the early crazy Red Hot, then "Storm in a Tea Cup" is without a doubt the heir of "Give It Away".
Maybe "Californication" is, for some and perhaps also for me, the untouchable apex of the Red Hot Chili Peppers... then "Stadium Arcadium" fully represents the genius and recklessness of a group of forty-somethings who may no longer be Hard in their crossover as before, but critics need to remember that you only get to be 20 once in a lifetime and that the Red Hot put drugs behind them long ago... their drug now is just music.
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Summary by Bot
Stadium Arcadium marks a triumphant return for Red Hot Chili Peppers after a three-year hiatus. The double album features a classic funk-driven first disc and a melodic, ethereal second disc. The band members deliver top performances, showcasing renewed creativity. Favorite tracks highlight the blend of old and new styles. Overall, it's a masterpiece demonstrating the band's growth and maturity.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
Red Hot Chili Peppers
American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1983, known for blending funk, punk and psychedelic influences; core figures include Anthony Kiedis, Flea, John Frusciante and Chad Smith.72 Reviews
Other reviews
By Jack_85
The album is called 'Stadium Arcadium.' I would expect songs that blow your eardrums, funk like in the old days, or at least a sound that makes me dance and move even up the walls. Instead, sadly, it’s not like that.
An album to avoid, to discourage... But I love the Red Hot. I saw them at San Siro and fell in love.
By JohnFrusciante
Finally the Peppers have awakened!!!
The Red Hots have awakened, with some distant vibrations of By The Way, but they have come back strongly.
By joe strummer
If you want to hear one of their masterpieces, look elsewhere, but the fact remains that 'Stadium Arcadium' is a well-sounding album that demonstrates the group's commitment.
The guitar always or almost always manages to enliven everything, and in any case, there are no completely useless songs.
By zago
An album that attempts to combine sounds from the last CD with more Californication-like vibes and some vain funk attempts.
It's not an immediate album because there are 28 songs to absorb and let grow slowly, yet it rarely surpasses a medium-good level.
By GrantNicholas
Frusciante (notoriously not a technically brilliant guitarist) truly in shape, even stunning when he has the chance to 'make himself heard' more.
Despite the recycling into a purely 'mainstream' genre, the quality of writing is still at an incredibly high level.
