A new side to the Chili Peppers

The most notable thing about "One Hot Minute" is how different it sounds to all their other albums. The reason for this is that Dave Navarro, from Jane's Addiction" recorded the guitars for this album. John Frusciante, the guitarist on "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" (1991) and "Mother's Milk" (1989), quit the band shortly after "Blood Sugar Sex Magik", but then returned to record "Californication" after Navarro's departure. Confused yet?

Back to the album. "One Hot Minute" explores a deeper, darker side of their music. Navarro's style on guitar is significantly different, and the result is an album that sounds almost 'un-Peppers' like. The songs on this album aren't as catchy as in other albums with the exception of "My Friends" and "Aeroplane". "My Friends", a slow and mellow rock ballad, was intended as the followup to their biggest hit to date, "Under The Bridge". "Aeroplane" is more the Red Hot Chili Peppers of old with an amazingly funky bass line that continually inspires bass players everywhere to want to play like Flea.

The album opens with the aptly named "Warped". Definitely one of the stranger songs on the album. Not very mainstream at all. However, after a few listens, the song really starts to grow on you.

"One Hot Minute" also contains the reminiscent "Deep Kick" which looks back into the early 80's when Flea and Anthony Kiedis went to Fairfax High School in Los Angeles. The album closes with "Transcending", a song dedicated to the late River Phoenix (the band were very good friends with Phoenix). Flea has an catchy, melodic bass part that drives the whole song. However, the song finishes on a strange note with a great deal of swearing and screaming. Very un-Pepper like.

"Walkabout" is probably the most groundbreaking song on this album. It is a very mellow and smooth flowing and takes them into the unexplored areas of music.

This is almost an experimental album. The guitar sound is a lot more manufactured. Navarro uses his effects pedals extensively, something Frusciante did much more subtly.

If you're a "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" diehard, this album is very, very different in almost all areas. Perhaps, the only common denominator is Flea's amazing bass playing. For the "Californication" people, there's "My Friends" and "Aeroplane", but the rest of the album might actually sound quite strange. Dave Navarro's time with the band really helped the Red Hot Chili Peppers expand their musical ideas, and the result of their latest album "Californication" speaks for itself.

"One Hot Minute" is one of the most underrated albums, in my opinion. Give this album a chance, and you'll begin to hear how good it really is.