Red Hot Chili Peppers: Ranking Their Albums From Worst To Best
3. The Uplift Mofo Party Plan
The Uplift Mofo Party Plan - released in 1987 - gave the band its first taste of success, entering the Billboard 200 at no. 148. Obviously nothing compared to what was to come, but considering neither their debut or Freaky Styley came close to bothering the charts, it was a step forward. The Chilis had slowly built up a niché but loyal fan base who couldn't get enough of their unique funk-rap-metal hybrid sound.
This album was the perfect gift to those fans, and it remains the best thing they did in the studio during those early years. Basically, if you listen to just one of the pre-Frusciante 80s records, make it this one. If the band had struggled translating their live bravado to the studio on their previous two albums, they nailed it on The Uplift Mofo Party Plan. Testosterone-fuelled cuts like Fight Like A Brave and Backwoods are heavy both musically and in attitude, yet Flea and Slovak's playing keeps that funky swagger intact. It's not all macho chest-beating, with some creative touches that show a desire to think outside the box, like Slovak's use of a talk box on Funky Crime that gives the track a psychedelic edge, or the country-rock bass on Walkin' On Down The Road.
Most unexpected is album highlight Behind The Sun, which features a gorgeous Slovak riff and showcases a knack for melody the band had never really displayed before. Kiedis growls "I do what I want to do" on Funky Crime, and that is pretty much the mission statement of this album. Not many acts would have the balls to take Bob Dylan's Subterranean Homesick Blues and make it completely their own like they do here - but it sums up the faith the Chilis had in their own style, which is why this album is so much fun to listen to.
Sadly this was the only studio album the founding line-up of Kiedis/Flea/Slovak/Irons recorded, with the tragic death of Slovak following the Party Plan tour and Irons being replaced by Smith. Yes, they ultimately went on to bigger and better things, but this album hints at another intriguing direction they might have gone down had this version of the band survived.