RHCP ALBUMS RANKED!

With thirteen studio albums to their name the Red Hot Chili Peppers have been releasing music for nearly forty years now. With many personnel changes they're back to, in my opinion, their strongest line up with John Frusciante re-joining the band back in 2020 and after the releases of two new albums in 2022 I've decided to rank all thirteen once and for all. As ever feedback is much appreciated!

13) The Uplift Mofo Party Plan - 1987 Michael Beinhorn

The record that would be Hillel's last before his tragic and untimely death. There's no doubt about he's quality as a musician and I think if he'd had lived longer he would be talked about as one of the greats but for me I just cannot get into this album - I've never been able to. Nothing jumps out for me as we move from song to song. I once described this album as 80's echo rap - if that's even a thing - with Fight Like A Brave the best of a bad bunch. 

 

12) The Red Hot Chili Peppers - 1984 Andy Gill

The debut album is a far cry from the Chili Peppers we know these days and it's commonly ranked as their "worst" album if there is one but for me it encapsulates exactly what the band was at this time in their lives. Tracks like Out In LA and Police Helicopter talk about the gritty, crime ridden areas that AK was residing in as the young punks tried to make their way in the world. It was a strange time for the band as Hillel Slovak and Jack Irons two school friends who will appear on later albums don't actually appear on the album but have writing credits and they were replaced by Jack Sherman and Cliff Martinez respectively. Does the album hold up nearly 40 years later? Yes and No. Like any low budget record from 40 years ago the sound quality isn't great but musically the band are tight. AK has defiantly grown lyrically.      

11) Freaky Styley - 1985 George Clinton

Arguably the bands funkiest record, heavily influenced by producer George Clinton. The record feels less chaotic then their debut as they experiment with a variety of music genres. There's credits to Sherman and Martinez but I believe Hillel and Jack were back in the band during recording. Jungle Man which is Anthony's ode to Flea is the stand out track for me on the album where there's special mentions for Catholic School Girls Rule and Yertle The Turtle. 

10) Mothers Milk - 1989 Michael Beinhorn

The first album with the band as we know it today! This was their most commercially successful album to date at the time and I believe their first and only which features covers. It's the sound of a band that is finding something in themselves after a couple of changes within the band but I'm not a fan of Beinhorn's production. He seems to play things safe and never really pushes the band into new territory something that Rick Rubin will do a few years down the line and for decades to come. Pretty Little Ditty is a welcomed dreamy instrumental while the Higher Ground cover is my favourite from this album.  

9) One Hot Minute - 1995 Rick Rubin

The enigma album. The follow up to BSSM albeit without Frusciante but never the less a band who should of been on top of their game but instead produced a pretty average album. Dave Navarro was on guitar duties for his one and only record with the RHCP. We have Fleas solo with Pea which lets be honest wouldn't make it on a better record. Aeroplane is probably the best track from this album with many songs just not hitting home. Navarro, a very accomplished guitarist in his own right just doesn't find his groove in what's a pretty boring album all things considered.      

8) I'm With You 2011 - Rick Rubin

In 2009 Frusciante left the band for the second time (this time amicably) and was replaced by touring guitarist Josh Klinghoffer. Klinghoffer and Frusciante are at the same time similar but also totally different guitarists as in having a similar style but producing totally different sounds. There's defiantly a different vibe from the two JK records which the other members of the band fully embraced as they created records that have split opinion. Again this feels like a record from a band that are finding their feet while getting over the loss of a important member. Monarchy of Roses is a fun, more experimental tune while Brenan's Death Song showcases Chads fucking awesome drumming. JK doesn't do a Navarro but I don't feel like he pushes many boundaries here. Ethiopia and Look Around are familiar sounding RHCP songs in what's a solid start to the Klinghoffer era..      

7) Unlimited Love 2022 - Rick Rubin

The first of our 2022 double album drop and it's a pretty safe bet of a record with Frusciante back in the mix. I've seen many a review from unimpressed fans and I have to admit on first listen I too wasn't blown away. Tracks like She's a Lover, Whatchu Thinking and It's Only Natural are the kind of middle of the road mid album songs we've come to expect. Is there anything new or exciting here? Not really. Poster Child is something different with Anthony rapping which he hasn't done in a while and the opening to Black Summer were he goes all swash buckling pirate is cool but slightly odd. White Braid & Pillow Chair is one of my favourite tracks for a long time and I'm not even sure why, it's beautiful. Now we have both albums I think they both work in their own way although at times UL feels slightly lacklustre.

  

6) The Getaway 2016 - Danger Mouse

The Getaway is the only non Rick Rubin RHCP record in the last thirty odd years. This would also be Klinghoffers second and final album with the band. I think it's fair to say this is a stronger album then I'm With You. JK seems more invested and the band seem to have formed a different arc away from Frusciante and Rubin with the album being leaner, tighter and sophisticated. This is the least the RHCP have sounded like the RHCP for years and for me that's interesting. For me the HEAVILY condemned Go Robot is a standout tune with it's melodic bells and funky bassline while the bridge during Feasting on the Flowers is cool. This Ticonderoga is my favourite from a album that isn't a classic but is still very well produced and not out of place amongst their best records.

    

5) Return Of The Dream Canteen 2022 - Rick Rubin

Come on, how cool was it that we got two records six months apart? How many bands after nearly forty years in the industry can do that and that's why the RHCP are a special band. Some were worried that this would be a record of Unlimited Love B sides but in my opinion this is a far superior album. This is  more experimental and less mainstream then UL which is strange as both were recorded together but I guess that's just how the jams went. John's solo at the end of Eddie astonishing and that is something only he can really pull off, two minutes of scratching while Flea's bassline is sooo catchy.. Peace and Love is lyrically beautiful while Bella will have you humming that tune all day. The album tails off towards the end and could defiantly of been shorter but ROTDC is well worth a place in my top 5

4) Stadium Arcadium 2006 - Rick Rubin

This is where it starts getting very hard. Stadium Arcadium is one hell of a double album so for it to be only fourth on my list was a tough choice. Hard to Concentrate is Anthony at his most vulnerable while Wet Sand starts of as this lovely little ballad then turns into this monumental triumphant rock song. The record is layered and not all of these songs are instant hits but that's the beauty of it. It's a record that's there to be listened to and I guarantee every time you do there will be a different song that catches your ear and heart. That's art! Snow has to be one of John's trickiest most interesting melodies while Hump De Bump is the funky Chili Peppers we know so well. Again my only criticism is quantity over quality but for a double album this still holds up well. 

3) Californication 1999 - Rick Rubin

Is there a better opening song on a album then Around The World? I'm not just talking about the RHCP I'm talking ever (check out their Slane Castle gig!) I'd argue that the first six tracks on this record are their strongest start to any of their albums and that's saying something. With Frusciante back after his absence there's a new dynamic around the band and that sticks with them for the next couple of records. This is their most commercially successful album and I think that's because there's such a diverse mix of songs that appeal to such a varied audience. Do you know anyone that hasn't heard Scar Tissue or Californication? Both tracks are easily chart toppers whilst I Like Dirt and Emit Remmus are the more funky version of the band that we all loved from the start. There's thoughts that the band went "mainstream" and sold out here but for me this record was just another turn in the road for a band that's evolved over many many years and were at a place in their lives where bringing a record out like this was exactly what they needed to do. 

2) Blood Sugar Sex Magik - 1991 Rick Rubin

BSSM tops most if not all RHCP album rankings I've seen. Although their fifth release and first under Rubin this record was undoubtedly their breakthrough into mainstream music mainly because of the popularity of Under The Bridge. A poem from Anthony that was never intended to be on the record until John and Rick got their hands on it. A album that whole heartedly expanded the bands musical and emotional range whilst still encapsulating the dirty LA street funk with songs like Give It Away and Suck My Kiss BSSM still holds up 32 years later!!!

 

1) By The Way - 2002 Rick Rubin

Like I said deciding the top four for this was VERY difficult but after much deliberation I've chosen 2022's By The Way as my NUMBER 1 RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS RECORD! 

For me this is their most complete record. For every By The Way you have The Zephyr Song and for every Can't Stop you have a Dosed. It feels a more confident and sophisticated record then its predecessor Californication without sacrificing any of it's energy or passion. John's melodies and artistic inspiration on this record cemented his reputation in the industry while Anthony's song writing was more personal then ever. Flea was apparently against the tone of this album and wanted more funk. Tear and I Could Die For You are hauntingly melonic and smacks of a intensively reflective period for AK. While Cabron shows a side of the band we've never seen before or since. Venice Queen showcases John's beautiful backing vocals and I'm sure Throw Away Your Television was thrown in there just to show the guys are still Funky Monks at heart. 

AB