Red Blood Hot Sugar Chili Sex Peppers Magik

This is my first opinion here ... be nice.

You all know who are the Red Hot Chili Peppers are, don't you? No? You should do! They've been around for over 20 years now you know! Get with the times will ya? ;o)

For the benefit of those who aren't fortunate to have heard them, the band consists of Anthony Keidis (Vocalist), John Frusciante (Guitarist), Michael 'Flea' Balzary (Bassist) and Chad Smith (Drummer). The band has had many formations of members but this was the one at the recording of this album, and is like that at this present time.

This is the 4th Chili Peppers' album, and definitely the best (By The Way is good, but nothing compares to this).

I love all the tracks on this album, every single one has something special about it, something different which makes it seperate from all the others. There are 17 tracks in total, but I'm too lazy to review all of them, so I'll just review my 6 favourite tracks. All that you need to know about the others is that they're great, and you will like them too. :o)

~ The Cover ~

The front cover is an airplane view (I don't know the real name of it!) of all the members faces with hugely long tongues sticking out and connecting to form a decorative sort of thing that goes around a rose in the center of the cover. The back obviously has the full list of tracks with duration of each song listed appropriately, and also an arm with all 5 fingers spread out evenly and with the trademark Chili Peppers' symbol on his wrist.

~ The Power Of Equality ~ 4:00

Now the start of this is really cheesy and simple for a few seconds until Anthony shouts "Swing! and he begins to rap over the bass and slow drum beats. The chorus is simple with the title of the song being sung but in such a special way that you won't be able to get it out of your head for the rest of the day. The lyrics are ones you'd be proud to have in your own songs.

"Right or wrong my song is strong. You don't like it get along. Do what I want, do what I can, death to the message of the Ku Klux Klan"

~ Funky Monks ~ 5:22

Funky indeed! A little bit of a country Music stylee acoustic guitar into there. This song just exemplifies "Funk", every little bit, the lyrics, the acoustic guitar, the drums, everything. The singing is very simple with the lyrics being sung first then echoed afterwards.

"Confusion is my middle name, ask me again I'll tell you the same, persuaded by one sexy dame, no I do not feel no shame"

~ Suck My Kiss ~ 3:35

"And I'm saaaaailing" is how this one starts, no idea why, nothing to do with the song I don't think, but it works just fine. This is a real happy song that you just have to sing a-long too. Anthony sings much like a rapper would in this one, but the use of instruments proves it it anything BUT rap.

"Shoulda been, woulda been, coulda been dead. If I didn't get the message goin' to my head. I am, what I am, most mother f*ckers don't give a damn. Aw baby think you can; be my girl I'll be your man!"

~ I Could Have Lied ~ 4:10

It's a surprise this isn't one of their most popular songs, I'd say it's definitely worthy of being so. The song is so simple; slow acoustic guitar throughout, with short but effective outbursts of upbeat singing, which is almost teasing us to think of it as a funky track, with the versus just buildup, but this is not to be. I think, they are sheerly there so the track wouldn't be 100% acoustic. (Ok, there's a bass riff at the end, but that's only short). If you haven't guessed already, it's a very sad and emotional song, which is just very easy listening for when you've nothing else to do. A lovely song.

"Could have lied, I'm such a fool, my eyes could never never never keep their cool. Showed her and I told her how, she strucked me but I'm fucked up now"

~ Give It Away ~ 4:45

All Chilis' songs are either funky, upbeat and happy sounding, or slow, emotional and thought-provoking. This one is the former at its very best. It's so damn funky; even Busta Rhymes thought he'd steal some of the lyrics for his best song yet "Break Ya Neck"! I really do not know how to describe this song! It's one of their best yet, perhaps their most popular, and has one of the coolest videos ever.

"Greedy little people in a see of distress. Keep your more to revieve your less. Unimpressed by material excess, love is free, love me, say hell yes!"

~ Blood Sugar Sex Magik ~ 4:31

I don't really know why they chose this as the album title. It's definitely not their best. I'm not saying I don't like it, I like it very much, but all other tracks are much better. Perhaps they chose this because it has such a damn cool name, and because they were able to make that witty play on words (See title of op) on the cover? The song starts with very very slow guitar plucks that sounds like when you hit a triangle (!). Then the drumming comes in, very slowly but surely. Like: Dum ... dum dum ... dum dum dum! Then the bass starts exactly at the same pace, until Anthony (in a very deep voice) starts singing the obviously dirty lyrics; "Blood sugar sucker fish, in my dish. How many pieces do you wish?". It's pretty much the same throughout with Anthony finally letting go towars the end and rapping like normal.

~ Under The Bridge ~ 4:34

Like personal experience to a Ciao opinion, it proved to be very helpful with this song's success. This song is about Anthony's heroin addiction when the band disformed and he headed to Mexico to "clear his head". I always thought that when hearing lyrics like "Under the bridge downtown: Is where I drew some blood" and "Under the bridge downtown: I gave my life away" and it was confirmed when I read a dooyoo op about it. Everyone should have heard this song. Everyone. If you like Rock Music, Dance Music, whatever. This is essential listening ... or something. This is quality at the same level of Stairway To Heaven. Pure classic. All Saints even tried to cover it (With NO success). That was a big slap in the face of good music. :oP Buy the album just for this song. I guarantee you'll like it.

"Under the bridge downtown; is where I drew some blood. Under the bridge downtown; I could not get enough. Under the bridge downtown; Forgot about my love. Under the bridge downtown; I gave my life away"

There's my favourites. Buy it. EVERY song oozes greatness. It's essential for any Rock fan's collection, hell, it's essential for ANY collection. You need this. :o)