Blood Sugar Sex Magik : Red Hot Chili Peppers : Review : Rolling Stone

Things were not particularly rosy when the Red Hot Chili Peppers retreated to a Los Angeles mansion in 1990 to record BloodSugarSexMagik. The funk rockers had weathered the 1988 heroin-overdose death of founding guitarist Hillel Slovak, and singer Anthony Kiedis and new guitarist John Frusciante had struggled in the drug's grip. Meanwhile, their music had devolved into a tiresome formula of sex-obsessed camp and gratuitous riffage.

Enter Rick Rubin. Insisting on airborne melodies, filtering the rhythmic rumble down to a brutal essence, the acclaimed Beastie Boys producer changed the Chilis' dynamic. The pummeling "Give It Away" and the incendiary "Suck My Kiss" established a template for rock punctuated by the beatcentric relentlessness of hip-hop that would be appropriated by everyone from Limp Bizkit to Dr. Dre. But it was the more introverted material -- the lashing, triple-meter "Breaking the Girl" and Kiedis' drug confessional "Under the Bridge" -- that revealed new dimensions. The rhythm section displayed a growing curiosity about studio texture and nuance -- interests it would explore on the expansive ballads of the subsequent multiplatinum Californication (1999) and By the Way (2002).

TOM MOON

(Posted: Aug 28, 2003)

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Review 1 of 6

5of 5 Stars

Blood Sugar Sex Magik is not only a break through album for the Chili Peppers but one of the greatest albums in Rock N' Roll history. The funky bass beats and sex infused lyrics flow from one song to the next with perfection. This album connects you with the true essence of Rock N' Roll with the concept of complete freedom to express oneself. The true triumph of BSSM is the emergence of John Frusciante. This album gives Frusciante his first medium to show his funky guitar riffs from "If You Have to Ask" to "Sir Physco Sexy". BSSM shows the full range of the Chili Peppers from rap-rock funk to slow ballad. The greatest two songs of BSSM are not the top selections ("Give It Away", "Suck My Kiss","Breaking the Girl", and "Under the Bridge") even though these songs are masterpieces in their own right. The two songs are "I Could'Ve Lied" and "Sir Psycho Sexy". "I Could'Ve Lied" is a perfect example of the Chilis Peppers' soul with meanigful lyrcis provided by Kiedis combined with amazing melodic guitar work by Frusciante. "Sir Psycho Sexy" is the culmination of BSSM. It has evry aspect of the Chili Peppers brilliance with the sexual lyrics, Flea's slapping bass line, and fianl jam. The last two minutes of 'Sir Psycho Sexy" transcend the listner. This final jam brings the heart, mind, and soul to another world entirely which defines the real meaning of music.

May 15, 2008 20:15:47

Review 2 of 6

5of 5 Stars

A very unique breakthrough album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik put the Red Hot Chili Peppers on the map and set the pavement for alternative rock in the 90's.

All in all, the album has many great songs, and you will enjoy the entire album without skipping too many tracks. The album also contains plenty of sexual innuendo as long as drug references.

Apr 20, 2008 17:34:11

Review 3 of 6

5of 5 Stars

Blood Sugar Sex Magik is one of the best and most unique albums of the last 20 years. The singles, which proved to be the stepping stone that launched the Chili's into stardom (and inevitably Frusciante into a drug-riddled seclusion), actually don't do it justice. Songs like 'Sir-Psycho Sexy', 'Mellowship Slinky in B Major', and 'If You Have To Ask' make BSSM by far the best Chili Peppers have and will ever make.

Feb 7, 2008 16:27:02

Review 4 of 6

5of 5 Stars

Blood Sugar Sex Magik is the corner stone of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. It propelled them into the lime light if it was not for it we would have a less brighter world.

Jun 26, 2007 20:10:59

Review 5 of 6

4of 5 Stars

A classic that defined a generation in turmoil. I was a part of the generation and this album was a comfort in a world of confusion and awful hairband residual effects. BSSM spoke for us in the form of music as crazy, beautiful and eccentric as it was. This was the beginning of the end and the Chili Peppers captured a moment in time like no other band could.

Dec 8, 2006 10:07:45

Review 6 of 6

4of 5 Stars

As we all now this was their big mainstream breakthrough thanks to hits like "give it away" and "Under the bridge". But there are a lot more funny, funky and good songs here. The band was struggling with drugs during this period and much of the lyrics is all about drugs, and sex of course. This is also one of Frusciantes best performances on guitar and all of the songs shows what a variable and genius guitarplayer he is. The best song "sir psycho sexy" was never released as a single because of the lyrics.

Jul 18, 2006 14:08:26

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