41. Blood Sugar Sex Magik - Red Hot Chili Peppers 1991
Always more of a Funk Metal band, the RHCP were brash and, somewhat, bruising. Album's like 'Freaky Styley' and 'The Uplift Mojo Party Plan', had their moments, but here, on this release is where it all came together. A change of label and a new producer, in the form of the very in-demand, Rick Rubin, were just what the funky doctor ordered. This release saw the classic line up of Kiedis, Flea, Frusciante and Smith on their second album together. The previous 'Mothers Milk' was fairly successful, but the band felt restricted by producer, Michael Beinhorn and his ideas, which didn't quite sit right with the musicians. Rubin's eclectic music taste and broad minded approach made him the perfect choice for album number five. Further endearing himself to the Chili's, Rubin decided that they should record in a haunted old mansion that used to be owned by, none other than, Harry Houdini. Rubin now owns the house, turned recording studio, and many huge records have been made there, including releases by Slipknot, Linkin Park and The Mars Volta, all of whom have gone on record as saying that they definitely experienced some very ghostly events. Regardless of some spiritual interventions, the band were all happy and felt the environment was productive and relaxed. All but three of them lived there during the sessions, except drummer, Chad Smith, who didn't feel comfortable enough to reside there, despite Frusciante's insistence that the spirits were warm and friendly. Smith would commute to the studio every day on his motorcycle. Upon release, 'Blood Sugar Sex Magik' was very well received and was noted for the band's use of cleaner, less heavy guitar tones and the new found layers and textures, bringing in more influences and, in turn, adding more depth to the band's sound. Of course, there were still the ebullient funk work outs of old, but they were much more measured and controlled, therefore, making more impact. Flea's stellar bass playing was also reined in slightly as the bassist figured that it was better if he didn't try to fill every space with notes, rather, laying back and locking in with the drums and allowing Frusciante's guitar to be the star of the show. Kiedis' vocals also had never sounded so good, with the vocalist now in possession of a wider range, and a considerably more soulful delivery, perhaps to match the growth in the music. Lyrically, for the most part, Kiedis still obsesses over matters of a sexual nature and one critic in particular noted - "Even the purest virgin comes away from this record with a degree of sexual maturity". and that songs like the title track and 'Apache Rose Peacock', sound like "pure f**king!" Lead single, 'Give it away', with its bizarre music video, was an instant hit and still enjoys heavy rotation on many music television channels. The song is funky, sexy, groovy and full of hooks. It was a perfect choice to introduce the world to the groups latest album. It was with second single, 'Under The Bridge', that the world sat up and truly took notice. A delicate and undeniably pretty ballad, that the band still manage to make funkier than Bootsy Collins' wardrobe, about Kiedis' particularly nasty bout with heroin addiction. The song was the bands ticket into the mainstream and went to number 2 in the Billboard top 200 chart in the U.S. Another song culled form the record was the in-your-face, 'Suck My Kiss' that is akin to the band's earlier material, whilst still embracing maturity of the collection as a whole. Rock clubs dance floors still swell when this number gets an airing. The Red Hot Chili Peppers have never reached the creative high that is 'Blood Sugar Sex Magik' again and it's influence can be audibly heard in every band that decides to go down the Funk Rock route. Easily one of the most important records that belonged to the 90's. If you only ever own one RHCP album, then this being it is a no-brainer.