Red Hot Chili Peppers: Ranking Their Albums From Worst To Best

6. Stadium Arcadium

If One Hot Minute was the sound of a band at their lowest, 2006's Stadium Arcadium is the sound of a band at ease with themselves and with each other. Returning to the studio after a remarkably successful world tour, their creative juices were well and truly flowing. So much so in fact, that they were able to release a sprawling double album that packed in a whopping 28 tracks of stadium-sized hooks, daring arrangements and lashings of Frusciante genius.

Clocking in at over two hours, the album's sheer length is indeed a daunting ask for even the biggest RHCP fan. The argument often levelled at records of this scale is that they could be condensed into a single disc of wall-to-wall killer tunes - and yes, there's probably some fat from Stadium Arcadium that could be cut. But like the best double albums, this isn't an album meant for digesting in one sitting. Like The Beatles' White Album (clearly a massive influence) it's one that needs repeated listens to appreciate the wealth of material on offer.

While it's the singles that jump out immediately, with Hump De Bump and Tell Me Baby among the catchiest songs the band has done, its slow-burners like Especially In Michigan, So Much I and 21st Century that really hit home how strong the songwriting is. The biggest criticism you can make of this album, and why it isn't higher in the list, is that it doesn't really tread any new ground for the Chilis. The tunes are all pleasant enough to listen to, the musicianship is flawless throughout - but unlike the classic double albums there is nothing that screams at you to pause the disc and immediately listen to it again.

Where the White Album had Helter Skelter, or Smashing Pumpkins' Mellon Collie had 1979, there's no real surprises on this album. When the quality's as consistent as on Stadium Arcadium, that's not a terrible crime, but it means the album is not as memorable as it could have been.