Red Hot Chili Peppers - Mother's Milk
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Free Music Notes for Mother's Milk
Free Music Review: Chili's go from good to great
Hit: 5 Stars
I bought this album shortly after discovering Blood Sugar Sex Magik and falling in love with the album and the band. I set about getting all of their earlier albums, and this is the first one i purchased. Mothers Milk is the first album to feature a completely different line up. Although Kiedis and Flea remain from the original Peppers, their guitarist Hillel Slovak tragically died from a heroin overdose shortly after their previous album, and their drummer Jack Irons went into a depression and left, due to the death of Slovak. So after deciding whether or not to carry on with the band, Kiedis and Flea thankfully kept it going. They enlisted a young guitarist who was a massive fan of the band, John Frusciante. His energy and enthuiasm won him the role, and he could already play all of their songs anyway. On drums, they found Chad Smith, who, although seeming to be out of place with his heavy rock image, fitted in perfectly. They set about writing Mothers Milk together, unaware that this would be the band line-up that would make them world famous.
So to the album itself. Their previous album 'Uplift Mofo Party Plan' signalled a slightly rockier edge, and they continued with this direction when making Mothers Milk. The album contains Flea's trademark funky slap bass throughout, and Kiedis's rap style vocals, but it brings in new energy from Frusciante and Smith. My album summary is as follows.
'Good time boys' - Starts the album off quite rockily, as it means to go on. Sounds like the CD is jumping in the middle of it, but its not! Some great guitar riffs.
'Higher Ground' - A cover of the Stevie Wonder classic, and better than the original! This one has featured on loads of compilations over the years. Flea's bass is brilliant.
'Subway to venus' - Bizarre vocals about space being king or something. A fairly average song though.
'Magic Johnson' - A tribute song to the legendary US basketball player who the Chili's love. Quite quirky, but funky as hell when it kicks in.
'Nobody weird like me' - How Flea's fingers don't fall off while playing this track i'll never know, the slap bass is on overdrive. Really fast paced rock song.
'Knock me down' - Mid tempo tune, an extended version of this appears on the re-released, remastered version of the album, but doesn't work quite as well. Good song, not dazzling, but good.
'Taste the pain' - Great little song, good guitar riffs, vocals, and a good video to go with it, buy 'What hits' on DVD if you can!
'Stone cold bush' - One of the album highlights, really rocky song, fast paced, great wah wah guitar, sounds of a woman having an orgasm in the background, what more could you want!
'Fire' - A cover of the Jimi Hendrix song, but about twice the speed. Brilliant version, and dare i say it again, better than the original?!
'Pretty little ditty' - Beautiful little instrumental track, part of which was covered by Crazy town years later on their hit 'Butterfly'.
'Punk rock classic' - Short snappy punk track, very rocky, ending in the guitar riff from GnR's sweet child of mine, bizarrely.
'Sexy mexican maid' - Brilliant smooth song, great groove, sexy lyrics.
'Johnny,kick a hole in the sky' - Great end to the album, got everything, funk,rock, great drumming, weird vocals (i mean what does kick a hole in the sky mean anyway)
There is a remastered version of this album available which has extended versions of Sexy Mexican maid and Knock me down, also has 2 brilliant instrumental tracks one of which is probably the funkiest thing they've ever done. It also has 2 live covers of Hendrix songs. Well worth buying.
All in all. this album is my 2nd favourite Chili's album after Blood Sugar. It basically paved the way for what was to come, and they re-invented themselves with this album. It is way different to the sound of Chili peppers circa 2004, in my view it is a much better sound, but any Chili's fan old and new will like the majority of this album. Go and buy it, you know you want to!
Free Music Review: The Chili Peppers at their meanest
Hit: 5 Stars
In 1989, the newly reformed Red Hot Chili Peppers rose from the crippling tragic death of band-founding guitarist and longtime friend Hillel Slovak to release Mother's Milk, the first album to feature guitar wizard John Frusciante and drum demon Chad Smith. The result was their first taste of commercial success, a muscular, metallic fusion of funk, rap and rock.
1. Good Time Boys: Flea's funky slap-bass line opens this track, which then explodes into a powerful blast of hard rock. This track is an explosive anthem about the Chilis themselves, as "they don't believe in age" and "make a sad man happy". It's clear; the Chilis are back from the brink, and are taking no prisoners.
2. Higher Ground: An incredible tribute to Stevie Wonder, this is a pulse-pounding song that will dance around in your head for a while.
3. Subway To Venus: The manic funk never stops. The track features some wildly funky insturmentals, including an over-the-top trumpet by Flea. As Anthony puts it, this song will "make you dance, or make you **** your pants". The song also features a mind-blowing insturmental attack, which will make you "bust into your funkiest stroll", or have a heart attack.
4. Magic Johnson: Truely bizarre. A tribute to Anthony and Flea's favorite team the LA Lakers, the Chilis unleash a manic chant-rap that will have you bouncing off the walls.
5. Nobody Wierd Like Me: This song about Flea is a masterpiece of mayhem. The track is dominated by a pulsing, surging breakneck attack of adrenlin-fueled hard rock that will set your brain on fire. You'll also be wondering by the end of the song, "how does Flea play on this track without his fingers falling off?"
6. Knock Me Down: A slightly-slower paced song than the mayhem before, but instead a more introspective rocker about Hillel Slovak and drug addiction. The chorus steals the show here, with some beautiful backing vocals along with the song's unexpectedly touching and true-to-life lyrics.
7. Taste The Pain: The Chilis reveal an unexpected dark side on this track, with morose lyrics and chilling insturmentals. The chorus is a true knockout, with John's demented wail complimenting Anthony's pain-filled lyrics.
8. Stone Cold Bush: The hard funk steals the show once again, with surging insturmentals and naughty lyrics that are sure to turn some heads. There's also an insturmental solo that has some certain "sound effects" in the background (which I'll leave to your imigination) that will put a dirty grin on your face.
9. Fire: This two-minute song is completely insane. The Chilis reveal the manic energy that first got them attention (and notoriety) in their early days with this track. They also go completely insane in the middle of the song, in a sudden and hair-raising burst of energy.
10. Pretty Little Ditty: After the all the mayhem, sexiness, and tales of addiction, it's time for something completely different. This track is a beatiful and atmospheric jam between John and Flea, that will cool you off a bit (and give you a chance to change your soiled shorts).
11. Sexy Mexican Maid: A slower track than the others, a jazzy tale about a sexy Mexican maid. The erotic lyrics really make the song all the more memorable.
12. Johnny Kick A Hole In The Sky: An unexpectedly epic track with lyrics about Native American plight. The heavy, funky insturmentals are in their top form on this track, with a knockout chorus that features some amazing backing vocals.
Sure, you've read this review and many others like it, but what good is it that you haven't purchased this album yet? Don't spare another second until you have this album and the other works of the Chilis in your hands.
Step Out!
Free Music Review: My favorite RHCP release
Hit: 5 Stars
When I first gave the Red Hot Chili Peppers a serious listen, I wasn't a fan of this album, at all. Anthony was so _________ annoying vocalists, that he ruined it for me. Well, I have no idea what I was thinking, but that's old news anyway.
Forget all of that. They finally were able to do something well. John Frusciante is a great guitarist, MUCH better than Slovak. While it sucks he's dead, I agree with Finulanu, they should have at least fired him. Well, the songwriting really wasn't there in the earlier recordings, and I do however, blame Anthony for his retarded vocal styles (see songs like Skinny Sweaty Man. Shut up). And Chad Smith plays drums way better than any of the previous drummers. This guy is awesome, and the best drummer they ever had. He smokes every drummer to ever come into this band. Everybody's style was complete, and they finally hit their stride.
While maybe not as played well and focused and creative (and that's a little margin, or something like that) than their follow up, this one is more consistent, and has more energy than a weasel with it's tail on fire, rather than the surging funk of their follow up. No matter, it kicks arse! Finally, The RHCP could finally hang with the likes of Living Colour, Faith No More, and Fishbone. Here's a track listing.
1.Good Time Boys-This raging opener will have you grooving, singing the chorus, and air bass guitar/lead guitar/and drums, all in the same song! Great refrence to Fishbone's Bonin in the Boneyard).
2.Higher Ground-The Stevie Wonder classic with energy lit under it's arse. The definite version of Wonder's song.
3.Subway to Venus-Another great song, with great guitar, horns. Anthony's theatrics used to get on my nerves, but now I like the vocals.
4.Magic Johnson-A basketball tribute, I think it's a great song. The drums give it a feel of dribbling a basketball, with samples of crowds and all.
5.Nobody Weird Like Me-This one is a thundering track. One of the greatest songs on the record.
6.Knock Me Down-The songs keep on coming! This anti drug anthem tribute, to the late Slovak (his influence will be always remembered, he's the one who gave John inspiration). Just an excellent song.
7.Taste the Pain-This one is KIND of slow, it's not that great, though. Mostly the chorus is annoying.
8.Stone Cold Bush-Great guitar work! Get up and jump!
9.Fire-This one was quite a surprise, though it's nowhere near the original (with Hendrix, what is?). Great energy in this one.
10.Pretty Little Ditty-The only real breather, the remastered version gives us at least two more minutes of the jam. Great song.'
11.Punk Rock Classic-Okay, this one just sucks, but it's over before you can get sick of it.
12.Sexy Mexican Maid-some of the lyrics (the third first is just stupid) bite, but this is another raging funker with great lyrics for the most part.
13.Johnny, Kick a Hole in The Sky-Some stupid vocals, and the intro sucks. The bass is awesome, but it's kind of buried in their, you can't ride it as much. This one would be better with Rick Rubin's production values, but it's still good.
Sure, I still don't think the Red Hot Chili Peppers are all that legendary, (most of their career for me is still kind of spotty), this and the follow up are most for anybody who likes funky rock music, or energetic rock music. The remastering by the way, sounds excellent. Hardly overproduced, the remastering actually makes it more crazy and energetic than the first release. The bonus tracks are alright, but hey, there's nothing wrong with that. Besides, the remastering is worth the price alone.
9/10
Free Music Review: The blueprint
Hit: 5 Stars
Even John Frusciante said that this is their most influential album.
Anyone that criticizes this album is an idiot, and does not have a real clue about the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I'm not saying this from a fan standpoint, but from a musician's standpoint. This is their most influential album; the album that got them to for the first time to expand their musical diversity and sophistication; this is the album that laid down the blueprint of the traditional Red Hot Chili Peppers sound, the Red Hot Chili Peppers sound that everyone loves.
This is before Stadium Arcadium. This is before By The Way. Californication. One Hot Minute. Blood Sugar Sex Magik. This is a musical adventure that is more daring that what any band then and now has put out there, an album displaying spirit and brashness that did not care what the media or the pop mainstream listening fan base would think; it was a form of their expression. Their expression.
It starts out with the semi-autobiographical Good Time Boys, a five minute crunching funk rocker that sets the tone and the mood of this album. It's followed by the infamous Stevie Wonder cover Higher Ground. The horn driven and energetic Subway To Venus follows (which would definitely influence the Peppers for years to come), along with the manic and hyper Magic Johnson and Nobody Weird Like Me (the latter featuring Flea's most complicated and manic basslines); the touching Knock Me Down follows, while it is still a hard rocker, it is done with a sense of sensitivity with Vicki Calhoun's background vocals that makes this track one of the best on here; a couple of songs that would be telling what's to come follows - the funky and jazzy Taste The Pain and the dirty Stone Cold Bush (the latter featuring an audio sample of an orgasm). From there comes Fire, a Jimi Hendrix cover feature Irons and Slovak (it was recorded before Slovak's death); Pretty Little Ditty, one of the finest three minute instrumentals of all time showed the Peppers melodical sense before the likes of Californication and By The Way; rounding out the album is the punked out Punk Rock Classic, the steamy, jazz-funk mix of Sexy Mexican Maid (another foretelling song), and the explosive 5 minute epic closer Johnny, Kick A Hole In The Sky showed another level of the Peppers musical capabilities.
It is a true music album to say the least; over 20 different musicians and singers were featured on Mother's Milk including Vicki Calhoun (who did background vocals on Higher Ground, Knock Me Down, and Johnny Kick A Hole In The Sky) and Patrick English and Keith Barry (Tree), who along with Flea (at trumpet) served as the horn section. This would showcase by far the musicial diversity of the Peppers that would be showcased on later albums.
This is the Peppers right when they broke into the mainstream; the Peppers that was brash and all about expressing themselves; before the pop sensitivies and the ballads, before the diamond albums, and all of the number one hits, this was who the Peppers were. To me this is really a very artistic record.
BONUS TRACK NOTES:
The bonus tracks are pretty good as well. The two biggest highlights are: the original long version of Knock Me Down is a bit better and more touching than the one that made the original album; and Castles Made of Sand is from one of their live performances, which is something that has, always, and will be a staple of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Free Music Review: incredible album, a must have for any rock fan
Hit: 5 Stars
"Mother's Milk" was the first album to contain the legendary lineup of frontman Anthony Kiedus, funky-assed bass player Flea, guitar prodigy John Frusciante, and on skins the mighty Chad Smith. Though this album was not as high as "Blood Sugar Sex Magik", "Californication", or "By The Way", its an album that will take you on a funky metal-rock riffed up ride. Every song is well written and is good enough to be a single. The opening track "Good Time Boys" is just awesome, with the coolest and most bizzare intro. Frusciante demonstrates his skills and needed chemistry throughout the whole album. "Higher Ground" which was their first big hit was a more energized version of Stevie Wonder's. "Subway To Venus" is probably the funkiest track on the album. John's sophisticated scratch funk guitar combined with flea's bass groove really makes this song enjoyable to listen to. "Magic Johnson" is one of those songs you have to listen to before a big game, it jusy pumps you up with spirit. "Nobody Wierd Like Me" has the best bass intro ever. "Knock Me Down" was a song written in memory of their previous guitarist Hillel Slovak who died of a heroin overdose. It's the most beautiful song on the album. "Taste The Pain" is another funk groove tune. "Stonecold Bush" is just a rockin song, makes you wanna jump around. The bridge may be disturbing. "Fire" which was a track recorded with HILLEL SLOVAK was a cover of Jimi Hendrix's. I can't help but see whoever reveiwed this album said thet Frusciante shines on a track he didn't play on. Credit must be given, even if Hillel is dead. "Pretty Little Ditty" is a beautiful instrumental, even has Flea playing trumpet. "Punk Rock Classic" is a short song that will have you head banging, John even closes it with the riff from "Sweet Child 'O' Mine". "Sexy Mexican Maid" is a slow raunchy song that you can never get sick of. "Johnny Kick A Hole In The Sky" is a funk-rock tune ending the album strong loud and proud. The extra tracks are very good. "Song That Made Us What We Are Today" is a twelve-minute jam. There are also demo versions of "Knock Me Down" and "Sexy Mexican Maid". "Salute To Kareem" is another fun instrumental paying tribute to the basketball legend Kareem Abdul Jabber. They also do two more Hendrix covers "Castles Made of Sand" and "Crosstown Traffic". This album is worth the money, not only do you get the thirteen original album cuts, but the extra tracks also, making the whole album a total of 19 tracks! It is also remastered with 24-bit technology, the sound quality is very good. I really recommend this album to anyone who loves music. The Red Hot Chili Peppers are truley one of the greatest bands ever.