Red Hot Chili Peppers
Blood Sugar Sex Magik


5.0
classic

Review

by Julianna Reed EMERITUS
October 16th, 2011 | 41 replies


Release Date: 1991 | Tracklist

Review Summary: The Chili Peppers travel a growing man’s journey throughout the entire album, one filled with unrestrained passion, and it’s evident that this is the monument they were meant to construct.

Music can undeniably have a profound impact on the life of its listeners. Through the heartache of Weezer’s Pinkerton many were reassured by Rivers Cuomo’s tales of heartbreak, and left thinking that they weren't actually alone at all. Likewise, the insatiable fury of Converge’s Jane Doe struck a chord with many a bitter ex-lover, reminding us that it’s wise to channel anger into something tangible, and that it could even potentially assist others in similar positions. True music, songs created by the heartbroken and the emotionally weary, has this ineffable quality of impacting others to the extent where it can change their lives. The brutal honesty, yet beautiful sincerity found on the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ masterpiece Blood Sugar Sex Magik had an incredible impact on me, as well as many other teenagers trying to find a place in the ever-shifting world of the teenage years. Through funky jams, seductive lyrics and even the occasional contemplative ballad, all while having a blast, Anthony Kiedis and company turn the uncertainties and growing pains of America into a glistening energy, shimmering with passion at every turn.

In terms of instrumentation, the Chili Peppers find themselves in quite the advantageous position, having the capacities of musicians like John Frusciante, Flea and Chad Smith at their disposal. This album is the band at their finest, with the funk-tinged sensibilities of their earlier days with a more distinct edge. Instead of taking the more punk-infused route expressed on Mother’s Milk that certainly felt a little more forced than it should have been, Blood Sugar Sex Magik seamlessly combines the soul of their influences with a casual, relaxed nature that truly makes the album. It never feels over-the-top; never does the band tread into uncomfortable terrain. This is the pinnacle of the Chili Peppers’ career, and rightfully so, for the impact that this album has enjoyed throughout the years is astounding and has yet to be matched, even slightly, by any of the band’s other releases.

Of course, it’s a bit unfair to compare their works; the members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers have had such eventful lives that they find themselves at a rebirth with each new release. In this case, what comes to mind for their transformation with Blood Sugar Sex Magik is the flower blossoming in the album artwork. Immaturity has become a different beast, into more of a mature stance on sex and pleasure. There are sexual boasts aplenty, as usual; however, with each moment spent strutting and aiming to woo the females, Anthony also finds himself a new stance on love, well-displayed in “Sir Psycho Sexy”. The 8+ minute song is similar to a sexual experience itself, with Anthony spitting out alarmingly kinky lines along a seductive musical backdrop, Flea being the primary contributor. The song eventually calms down after five or so minutes, where Anthony considers the meaning of such experiences itself. “Descending waves of graceful pleasure; for your love there is no measure.” Eventually the song transforms into one of the most gorgeous, phenomenally emotional pieces of music.

This moment encapsulates the experiences of the band members, and how much each one means to them. They’ve been taking a growing man’s journey throughout the entire album, one filled with unrestrained passion, and once this moment occurs it’s evident that this is the monument they were meant to construct. The rambling promiscuity of the scene in L.A., from where these fellows hail, was recreated through this record dutifully, and Blood Sugar Sex Magik will endure the trials of history because of this crowning achievement.



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user ratings (3679)
4.2
excellent
other reviews of this album
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Comments:Add a Comment 
Yuli
Emeritus
October 16th 2011


10767 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

I hit 1,000 comments today, and decided to review something that really means a lot to me to celebrate the occasion.

DarkNoctus
October 16th 2011


12357 Comments


well written, nice work! :]

Digging: Ataraxie - Le D??clin

Yuli
Emeritus
October 16th 2011


10767 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

Thanks man! I appreciate it. This was surprisingly easy to write about...

someguest
October 16th 2011


30205 Comments


not a 5

DarkNoctus
October 16th 2011


12357 Comments


albums you love either tend to be really easy or difficult to write about. no middle ground. i'm planning a review of marrow to be typical, but it's kind of difficult. :]

Gyromania
October 16th 2011


37468 Comments


I think I need to revise my rating of this.

Yuli
Emeritus
October 16th 2011


10767 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

Yeah Noctus, I see what you mean. When you know how you feel about something, that can make it a little challenging to explain to others. Or other times, you know precisely why you love something and can perfectly describe your feelings towards it.



And Gyromania, in which direction?

WashboardSuds
October 16th 2011


5101 Comments

Album Rating: 2.0

never really cared for this band, but this album's not bad

xfearbefore
October 16th 2011


2050 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Nice little review dude, pos'd. I was literally just re-discovering this album last night, hadn't really listened to it all the way through in several years, forgot how great it was. Californication will always be their peak for me I think though, even if "Under the Bridge" here is probably the best single they ever wrote.

Digging: Little Willie John - Fever

Valerius
October 16th 2011


1137 Comments


Nice review. I approve.

I listened to this album so much when it came out. Doing the math, I was 14 at the time, but somehow it feels I was younger, like 11 or 12. Perhaps it's the way this album speaks on a level of youth, heartbreak, love, and sex. It takes me back to a time long ago with memories I can never forget with some early experiences with women.

Blackbelt54
October 16th 2011


4281 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

nice review



I think this is overrated, but it still rules

dammets
October 16th 2011


2035 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Good review. I could have Lied and Suck My Kiss are absolutely amazing.

TheNotrap
Staff Reviewer
October 16th 2011


19009 Comments


Cool album

iFghtffyrdmns
October 16th 2011


7044 Comments


[L]Red Hot Chili Peppers{/L]
paragraph 3
worth fixing

nice write up way to go

WashboardSuds
October 16th 2011


5101 Comments

Album Rating: 2.0

yeah this is a pretty good review, I like it

Gyromania
October 16th 2011


37468 Comments


Omaha: raising it.

booreno62
October 16th 2011


69 Comments


The Red Hot Chili Peppers album with the most listenable tracks. Their best album by a mile.

Gyromania
October 16th 2011


37468 Comments


Californication is a lot better.

Yuli
Emeritus
October 16th 2011


10767 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

Thanks for all the kind words everyone! This review was a fun one to write.



Gyro- well, I'm glad that I may have been a part of that then. The standout tracks on this album are just incredible.



Valerius- Thanks man, and totally. I discovered this album in the 6th grade, and its lyrics really struck a chord with me, especially because that was when I actually started fancying women. I'm really glad that I had this CD; otherwise, I woulda felt like a lil perv at my age. :P



Dammets- Thank you very much, and I agree fully. Suck My Kiss is pretty much an amalgamation of everything great about these guys back in the day.



xfearbefore- what a funny coincidence. I think Californication is one of their least consistent albums, because there are so many breathtaking tracks, but then the other half just isn't too great. The production also irks me... It sounds so dry.

tiesthatbind
October 16th 2011


7441 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Under the Bridge is my favorite song from them, but otherwise I prefer their material from Californication onward.



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