Crazy Punk/Funk Rock at its Best

This album truly represents what the Red Hot Chili Peppers have been doing over the past thirteen years: being true to themselves through their music. While bands often falter after the first few albums because they keep making the same music over and over again (case in point: KoRn), the Chili Peppers' music goes through a distinct change over their existence. Numbers off of their first two CDs show a more raw band, with numbers like "Higher Ground", "Suck My Kiss", and "Give it Away Now." As the band's life goes on, it changes to more mellow tunes, like "Californication" and "By The Way". Mixing these two demeanors together creates a great CD.

The two bonus tracks demonstrate two things: That the band can build on and combine their past musical forays and that they've still got some fire left in them. "Fortune Faded" and "Save the Population" show that the band is a cohesive unit. The music is tight and original, and the lyrics reflect maturity on Anthony's part. Hopefully the CD is a sign of more good things to come.