Stadium Arcadium

I haven't listened to anything other than this record for the past four days. It is the fantastic new album from the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The thing that makes this record really stand out is that everytime John Frusciante takes a solo, the songs explode. He is an amazing guitar player and this is a guitar lover's record.

It's a double record so it takes a little longer to get the hang of it, but the effort is worth it.  There is almost 2 hours of quality music on Stadium Arcadium.

But like most double albums, its tempting to think about what the best 14 15 songs would sound like on a single record.

Here's my dream single album version of Stadium Arcadium (which is now a playlist on my iPod):

Dani California - great opening track. my kids love it
Snow (Hey Oh)
Charlie - i love this song
Hump De Bump - funky groove
Warlocks
C'Mon Girl - this is a great song
Desecration Smile
Tell Me Baby
21st Century - best song on the record
Make You Feel Better
Strip My Mind
Animal Bar
So Much I
Storm In A Teacup
Turn It Again

The record is number one on iTunes and number two at Amazon so it may have been fine to release this as a double record.  But what a single record it would have been.  Probably best of the year so far.  But for now, that still goes to the Arctic Monkeys on my list.

UPDATE: Jackson (the musician in my family) says: I like 'Strip My Mind' the best - so far. It's not only the guitar work that Frusciante is responsible for, but all the vocal harmonies as well - he's a mad genius.  So I went back and gave Strip My Mind a listen and I've added it to my playlist.  He's right as usual.  Strip My Mind is great.

Comments

[Bjorn Ruwald]

I've been meaning to go out and by this, but haven't gotten around to it yet. I think I'll go out and do it now!

BTW - When will we hear more about your MacBook experiences?

[JayR]

Mine arrives today. Every song I have heard has been great. It's a double record, but Amazon's been selling it for less than a single-record price. Great bargain.

[jackson]

I like 'Strip My Mind' the best - so far. It's not only the guitar work that Frusciante is responsible for, but all the vocal harmonies as well - he's a mad genius.

[Dave!]

Really, I think Dani California sounds like a bad Tom Petty rip-off...

[Steve]

I haven't had the same reaction yet, but need to spend a lot more time with it. So far no song (other than Dani California) stands out to me relative By the Way (e.g, Universally Speaking, Minor Thing, Venice Queen, By the Way).

[mark]

you need to go and buy snow patrol - if you have not heard them before - get the 'final straw' first and then the new album. Beats the artics hands down.

[fred]

hey mark

final straw is great

made my top 10 CDs of 2004
http://avc.blogs.com/a_vc/2004/12/the_ten_best_cd.html

i don't really dig the new disc as much

but the arctic monkeys - well they are just more of my kind of thing than snow patrol

but that's what makes horse races!

thanks for the comment

keep them coming

fred

[Luke Archer]

Always loved the Peppers...but they are sooo eighties.

Want positive music for 2006, then you should definetly know about these two rising stars...

www.myspace.com/kevens (learning to sing from Bob Marley's Mama, Cadella)

www.myspace.com/jillianann33 (corted by ever major label, but committed to staying in control of her art and STAYING INDIE)

-Luke

[Dan Ciruli]

Hah! The "would have been a great single album" comment made me think about an interview that I once saw with Paul McCartney.

The interviewer asked him, "What do you say to people who say that, if the White Album would have been a single album, it would have been the best album of all time."

He seemed to ponder it for a minute, then said, "It's the bloody Beatles White Album!"

The implication was clear: who gives a crap?!!?

Anyway, after reading your review, I can't wait to get Stadium Arcadium.

Also: Fred - can I get some advice? ;-)