Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium (CD 2006)

Disc 1 of the album is the stronger of the two, with the majority of catchy, upbeat tracks as well as the strongest ballads. Apart from the funk-rocking lead single (“Dani California”), it features the enchanting title track, and the twin killing of “Hump De Bump” and “She’s Only 18.” “Torture Me” is one of my favorites. Leading off with a coursing bassline from Flea, this song hits hard and fast with a unique take on the music. Normal bands would turn “Torture Me” into a straightforward rock song, but the depth and versatility of the Chili Peppers turns it into a shape-shifting ball of music. One of the gems of the disc titled Jupiter is “Especially in Michigan,” a slower-paced song that features a fantastic guitar solo from special guest Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, of At The Drive In and The Mars Volta fame. Not to be outdone by the album’s newcomer, Flea guides the funk-driven “Warlocks” that follows with his raw basslines that are well accentuated by Frusciante. What is so great about this track is its depth. Rather than an upbeat, oddball track, it varies between a soothing ballad and some rap-rock broken up by a wailing guitar solo for good measure.

Titled Mars, Disc 2 of Stadium Arcadium is, in this reviewer’s opinion, a bit weaker. “Desecration Smile” is a five-minute snoozer courtesy of Anthony Kiedis, which does not bode well for the disc. Not quite space-rock, but it is a bit more ethereal than anything previously seen on Stadium Arcadium. “Tell Me Baby” picks up the pace a bit with a sparse track instrumentally that allows Kiedis to return to that rap-rock with which his fans have a love-hate relationship. He sings a majority of the song, but it is still not one of the best offerings from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. “Hard To Concentrate” is one of those lovable tracks that might just have lyrics acquired from Rhymer.com. There is little instrument work to highlight it, save for a guitar solo or two that do not do anything exciting; but on the other hand, it is tough to hate it outright. Both “21st Century” and “Readymade” are exciting tracks that give Mars the kick it deserves. Both open with a growling bass intro, with the former going much more into the realm of funk and the latter showing single potential as a rock-radio hit. To be frank, “If” falls flat on its face. It is noticeably the weakest song out of the 28, wandering and winding to a conclusion about two minutes and fifty-seconds too long. Meager instrument work and boring vocals make “If” completely forgettable, in my eyes. “Make You Feel Better” has a pop-rock style that I find reminiscent of The Beatles, both thematically and musically. I think John, Paul, George, and Ringo would be proud. The rest of the disc has its moments, but it never really blows you away again until “Storm In Your Teacup.” The instrumentals’ layering is excellent although occasionally the lyrics are corny as hell. The Chili Peppers may never shake the idea that about half of their songs are about getting laid, and “Storm In A Teacup” does not do anything to dispel that conception. That said, the song alternates from hard rock to something that anyone can bounce along to, making it a solid anchor for Mars.