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Revision as of 21:52, 14 August 2007

Untitled

Blood Sugar Sex Magik is the fifth studio album by American alternative rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on September 24, 1991. Produced by Rick Rubin, it was the band's first album released on Warner Bros. Records. Unlike the band's previous recording, Mother's Milk, Blood Sugar was notably different in the heaviness of the guitar, as it contained little use of heavy metal riffs. The album's subject material incorporated various sexual innuendos and referenced drugs and death as well as themes of lust and exuberance.

The album sold over seven million copies in the United States alone and became the Chili Peppers' introduction into popularity and critical acclaim.[1] Blood Sugar Sex Magik produced many hits for the band, including "Give It Away", "Under the Bridge", "Suck My Kiss", and "Breaking the Girl". The album also marked the departure of guitarist John Frusciante mid-tour in 1992, until his return in 1998. Steve Huey of All Music Guide felt that Blood Sugar was "...probably the best album the Chili Peppers will ever make."[2]

Background

In 1988, the band's guitarist Hillel Slovak died of a heroin overdose. Drummer Jack Irons subsequently quit the band, leaving vocalist Anthony Kiedis and bassist Flea to search for a new guitarist and drummer.[1][3] As an avid fan of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Frusciante expressed interest in joining the band, but former P-Funk guitarist Blackbyrd McKnight had already been chosen to fill Slovak's place.[4][5] When the chemistry between McKnight and the rest of the band was determined to be nonexistent, he was fired.[6] During that time, Frusciante was about to become a part of Thelonious Monster, a punk rock band formed by Bob Forrest; however, he was asked by Flea to join the Chili Peppers and accepted instantly.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). Drummer Chad Smith joined the band two weeks before pre-production of Mother's Milk, following an unsuccessful open-auditions session.[7] Mother's Milk would become the band's second album to enter in the Billboard Hot 200, peaking at #52.[8] Although the album was mildly successful, production was weighed down by producer Michael Beinhorn. He convinced Frusciante to play with an overall heavier tone, and instructed Kiedis to write lyrics that would be more radio viable, thus causing the band to feel restricted, creatively.[5][9]

As the Chili Peppers' contract with EMI came to an end, they began looking for a new record company to release their next album with. The group reached a consensus to go with Sony BMG/Epic, with the proviso that they buy out their last album from EMI.[10] Even though the label promised it would take only a few days, the process stretched out into several months.[10] Although a deal had been made with Sony/Epic, Mo Ostin of Warner Bros. Records called Kiedis to congratulate him on the successful deal, and complimented the rival record label.[11] Kiedis recalled of the situation: "The coolest, most real person we had met during all these negotiations had just personally called me to encourage me to make a great record for a rival company. That was the kind of guy I'd want to be working for us."[12] Kiedis pursued the idea, and eventually dropped the contract with Sony in favour of a deal with Warner Bros. Ostin called an old friend at EMI, who immediately allowed for the label transfer.[5][12]

Recording and production

Now settled into Warner Bros. records, the Chili Peppers began looking for a suitable producer. One person in particular, Rick Rubin, stood out, as he was, according to Kiedis, a mellower, kinder, gentler and spiritually minded human being than anyone they had worked with in the past.[13] Eventually, the band decided that he would be the best choice as a producer, and therefore hired him to produce what would become Blood Sugar Sex Magik. Unlike the Peppers' previous producers, Rubin was someone that they felt confident to ask for guidance and input during times of difficulty. He would often help arrange drum beats, guitar melodies and lyrics.[5][14]

Believing that recording the album in an unorthodox setting would enhance the quality of the recording, Rubin suggested of the former residence of Harry Houdini, and the Chili Peppers agreed. A crew was hired to set up a recording studio and other equipment required for production in the house. The band decided that they would remain inside the mansion for the duration of recording, though Smith, convinced the location was haunted, refused to stay.[5][15][16] He would, instead, come each day by motorcycle.[16][17] Frusciante, Kiedis, and Flea each had their own separate rooms at each end of the house. When not recording with the band, Frusciante would spend his time painting, listening to music, reading, and recording various sounds.[15] Due to the seclusion, Kiedis ended up recording all his vocals in his room, as it was large enough to accommodate the recording equipment.[15]

For over thirty days, the Chili Peppers worked inside the house; Kiedis felt it was a helpful and creative experience, as the large amounts of time spent alone allowed him to finish writing lyrics.[17] During production, the Chili Peppers agreed to let Flea's brother-in-law document the creative process on film.[16] When the album's recording was complete, the Chili Peppers released the film, entitled Funky Monks.

Writing and composition

File:Rhcppunkbssm.jpg
Red Hot Chili Peppers before the release of Blood Sugar Sex Magik in 1991.

Blood Sugar was written at a much faster pace than the band's previous album.[18] Before the Chili Peppers moved into the mansion, Frusciante and Kiedis collaborated together at each other's homes, in order to arrange song structure and guitar riffs.[19] They would then present ideas to Flea and Smith, and the band would as a whole, decide what they would use for the bass, guitar, vocal, and percussion aspects.

Kiedis focused lyrically on sexual references, innuendos and actions as they were constantly on his mind.[20] Songs such as "Suck My Kiss", "If You Have to Ask", "Sir Psycho Sexy", "Give It Away" and "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" all contained various sexual links, with lyrics like "A state of sexual light / Kissing her virginity / My affinity," and "Glorious euphoria / Is my must / Erotic shock / Is a function of lust." [21] The lyrics to "The Greeting Song" were initially a request by Rubin, who wanted Kiedis to write a song solely about girls and cars. Although Kiedis disliked the concept, he wrote the song as Rubin requested and ended up hating nearly every aspect of the lyrics.[18]

Kiedis also began writing about anguish, and the self destructive thoughts he experienced when he was addicted to heroin and speed; how his life had come to it's lowest point under a bridge in downtown LA.[22][23] Over a month later, Rubin stumbled upon a poem that would become the lyrics to "Under the Bridge" and suggested Kiedis show the poem to his fellow band mates. Frusciante visited Kiedis the next day at his home to began putting together the song.[24] Frusciante played several chord progressions and the two of them worked for several hours until they both agreed it was perfect and complete.[24]

Kiedis felt that the album would expand the Chili Peppers' musical horizons, as it was a departure from their previous material.[25] One of Blood Sugar Sex Magik's more melodic songs, "Breaking the Girl", was written about Kiedis and his constantly changing relationships. He feared that he was following in his father's footsteps and becoming simply a womanizer.[22] "...As exciting and temporarily fulfilling as this constant influx of interesting and beautiful girls can be, at the end of the day, that shit is lonely and you're left with nothing."[25] The track also featured a bridge in the middle, comprised of percussion instruments salvaged from a garbage dump.[26]

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Although jams had always been an integral part of song creation for the Chili Peppers, Blood Sugar saw songs being created with more structure. One specific jam would lead to the breakout song on the album: Frusciante, Flea and Smith were all playing together—with Kiedis at another part of the room watching—when "...Flea started playing this insane bass line, and Chad cracked up and played along...I always had fragments of song ideas or even specific isolated phrases in my mind. I took the mike and belted out 'Give it away, give it away, give it away, give it away now."[26] The philosophy behind the lyrics originated from a conversation Kiedis had, regarding selflessness and how insignificant material possessions were in his life.[26] Kiedis had also been reminiscing about late Chili Peppers guitarist Hillel Slovak, composing "My Lovely Man" in his tribute.[22][27] Kiedis wrote "Sir Psycho Sexy" to be an over-zealous and overly exaggerated version of himself; a figure that could get any girl, and do anything he pleased to them.[27] "The Power of Equality" tackled topics such as racial equality and prejudice.

Promotion and release

Blood Sugar Sex Magik was released on September 24, 1991. It was certified gold just over two months later on November 26, 1991, and was certified platinum on April 1, 1992; since then it has gone five times multi-platinum in the United States.[28][29] The album peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200.[30][31] As a single, "Give it Away" peaked at #9 on the UK Top 40,[32] while "Under the Bridge" peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.[30] Upon initial release, however, "Give it Away" was rejected to be played by Warner's target radio station, telling the band to "come back to us when you have a melody in your song."[33] KROQ (of Los Angeles), however, began to play the song several times daily, and, according to Kiedis, "That was the beginning of the infusion of that song into mass consciousness."[34]

To promote the album in Europe, Kiedis and Frusciante both agreed they would make the trip.[33] However, it proved difficult for Frusciante to adapt to life outside of the mansion, after being in near-seclusion for almost thirty days. Kiedis recalled of the situation "He had such an outpouring of creativity while we were making that album that I think he really didn't know how to live life in tandem with that creativity."[33] It was also during this period when Frusciante began to experiment with heroin, which further compromised his mental stability.[35] The European promotional trek took its toll on Frusciante, and he decided to return home when he and Kiedis reached London.[34]

Critical reception

Blood Sugar Sex Magik was generally well received by critics, who praised the Chili Peppers for not overpowering the listener with heavy metal guitar riffs, as their previous album had. Rolling Stone's Tom Moon credited Rick Rubin for the change in style; Rubin "[gave] the Chilis' dynamic."[36] It went on to praise the sound for "displayed a growing curiosity about studio texture and nuance."[36] Steve Huey of All Music Guide said the album was "The Red Hot Chili Peppers' best album...John Frusciante's guitar is less overpoweringly noisy, leaving room for differing textures and clearer lines, while the band overall is more focused and less indulgent."[2] He considered Blood Sugar to be "varying... it expands the group's musical and emotional range."[2] Devon Powters of Pop Matters said that "in one funked-out, fucked up, diabolical swoop, Blood Sugar Sex Magik reconfigured my relationship to music, to myself, to my culture and identity, to my race and class."[37] Music critic Robert Christgau gave the album a two star honorable mention, one of his highest ratings. Blood Sugar was also considered to be an influential album, throughout the nineties, by becoming a foundation for alternative rock.[1][36][37]

"Under the Bridge", which became a breakout song for the band, was considered to be a highlight of the album by several critics.[2][36][37] All Music Guide reviewed the song was called a "...poignant sentiment...it is self evident among the simple guitar which cradles the introductory verse, and the sense of fragility that is only doubled by the still down-tempo choral crescendo," it "...has become an integral part of the 1990's alterna-landscape, and remains one of the purest diamonds that sparkle amongst the rough-hewn and rich funk chasms that dominate the Peppers' own oeuvre."[38] The song ended up peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1992.[38] "Give it Away" was also praised for being "...a free-associative mixture of positive vibes, tributes to musical heroes, and free love," as Frusciante "...adds the song's two most unpredictable change-ups: a sudden contrast to Kiedis' hyperactivity in the form of a languid solo pre-recorded and dubbed backwards over the rhythm track, and a hard-rocking riff which is not introduced until the song's outro..."[39] Songs such as "Sir Psycho Sexy", however, were criticized for being overly explicit. Devon Powters of Pop Matters said that "Eight minutes of "Sir Psycho Sexy" will turn RHCP's young listeners into quivering masses of hormonal jello. Oversexed lines sneak their way into "Apache Rose Peacock"; "Blood Sugar Sex Magik", simply, sounds like fucking. Even the purest virgin comes away from Blood Sugar Sex Magik with a degree of sexual maturity; even the slickest playa can learn a couple of new moves."[37]

Years later, Blood Sugar was placed atop many "Best Of" lists, especially those pertaining to the 90s. Spin Magazine charted the album at #58 on their "Top 90 Albums of the 90s", and #11 on a similar list compiled by Pause & Play.[40][41] Guitarist Magazine put the album in their "101 Essential Guitar Albums", which was unordered after #10.[42] Blood Sugar Sex Magik also ranked #310 on Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums of All Time".[43]

Blood Sugar tour and Frusciante's departure

File:Rhcplive1991.jpg
Anthony Kiedis and John Frusciante performing live in 1991 during the Blood Sugar tour.

Before the Blood Sugar tour, Kiedis saw the music video for The Smashing Pumpkins's "Rhinoceros" on MTV. He then called the band's manager and asked him to accommodate The Smashing Pumpkins for the tour.[44] Several days after the Pumpkins confirmed they would accompany the Chili Peppers, Jack Irons called and asked the band to allow his friend's new group, Pearl Jam, to open for them on the forthcoming tour.[44] The first show following the release of Blood Sugar was at the Oscar Meyer Theater in Madison, Wisconsin.[44] Blood Sugar Sex Magik began receiving heavy radio play and massive sales in the middle of their US tour. Frusciante, who preferred the Chili Peppers to remain underground, began to go into a deep state of denial, and depression.[45] According to Kiedis, "He began to lose all of the manic, happy-go-lucky, fun aspects of his personality. Even onstage, there was a much more serious energy around him."[45] Frusciante was slowly slipping away from the band altogether, and began to form grudges against his fellow band mates.[5][45] He saw the band's newfound popularity as shameful.[45]

Tension began to grow between Kiedis and Frusciante onstage.[5] Kiedis recalled an argument after a show in New Orleans: "We had a sold-out house and John just stood in the corner, barely playing his guitar. We came offstage and John and I got into it."[46] With the Peppers now playing shows at arenas rather than theaters, the promoters of the tour decided that Pearl Jam should be replaced with a more successful act.[46] Kiedis got in contact Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, and asked him if Nirvana would replace Pearl Jam on the tour— an offer Grohl accepted.[1][47] Their first show with Nirvana was at the L.A Sports Arena. Kiedis considered their act to be "raw energy; their musicality, their song election, they were like a chain saw cutting through the night."[47] Following several more concerts, the band traveled to Europe, where Frusciante, in need of someone to connect to, brought along his girlfriend Toni Oswald. Kiedis said that "John had broken our unwritten rule of no spouses or girlfriends on the road."[44] Briefly interrupting the European-tour, the Chili Peppers flew to New York City and preformed on an episode of Saturday Night Live. The Peppers performed Under the Bridge as the second number—a performance that Kiedis felt was sabotaged by Frusciante:[48]

[Frusciante] was experimenting the way he would have if we'd been rehearsing the tune. Well we weren't. We were on live TV in front of millions of people and it was torture. I started singing in what I though was the key he was playing in. I felt like I was getting stabbed in the back and hung out to dry in front of all of America while this guy was off in a corner in the shadow, playing some dissonant out-of-tune experiment.

The band took a two-week hiatus between the European and Japanese legs of the tour, which began in May 1992. Minutes before the Chilli Peppers was scheduled to perform in Tokyo, Frusciante refused to go on stage, claiming he quit the band.[5][22][49] However, after half an hour of coaxing, Frusciante agreed to play the show. Kiedis recalled of the situation: "It was the most horrible show ever. Every single note, every single word, hurt, knowing that we were no longer a band. I kept looking over at John and seeing this dead statue of disdain...And that night, John disappeared from the topsy-turvy world of the Red Hot Chili Peppers."[49] The band hired guitarist Arik Marshall to finished out the rest of the tour, which included Lollapolooza, and several European festivals, as well.[5][50][51] Marshall, however, was fired at the end of the tour.[50]

Artwork

Photographic collage of various tattoos each band member has, featured in the album's artwork.

All photography, paintings and art direction on Blood Sugar were credited to filmmaker Gus Van Zant.[52] The cover of the album features the four band members' faces positioned around a rose. The lyrics are printed in white lettering across a black background, hand written by Kiedis.[52] The booklet also contains a collage of photos assembled to showcase the band members' various tattoos, which feature faces of Native American tribal leaders, animals and sea creatures, as well as various symbols and phrases. Photographs of each band member alone, and two photographs of the band as a whole are also present.[52] Singles released to coincide with the album share little with Blood Sugar's artwork booklet. The cover of "Give It Away" was a painting of a Chinese infant, surrounded by fish, vegetables, fruits and sushi; "Under the Bridge" was a photo of a city skyline, and a bridge centered in the middle; "Suck My Kiss" had a black and white photograph of the band, with Kiedis and Flea holding a large fish; and "Breaking the Girl" featured a painting of a human being covered in magma.

Accolades

The information regarding accolades attributed to Blood Sugar Sex Magik is adapted from AcclaimedMusic.net.[53]

Publication Country Accolade Year Rank
Pause & Play United States The 90s Top 100 Essential Albums[40] 1999 11
Rolling Stone United States The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time[43] 2003 310
Spin Magazine United States Top 90 Albums of the 90s[41] 1999 58
Q United Kingdom 90 Albums of the 90s[54] 1999 *
Guitarist Magazine United Kingdom 101 Essential Guitar Albums[42] 2000 11
VH1 United States Ultimate Albums[55] 2003 *

(*) designates unordered lists.

Track listing

All songs written by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, except where noted.

  1. "The Power of Equality" – 4:03
  2. "If You Have to Ask" – 3:37
  3. "Breaking the Girl" – 4:55
  4. "Funky Monks" – 5:23
  5. "Suck My Kiss" – 3:37
  6. "I Could Have Lied" – 4:04
  7. "Mellowship Slinky in B Major" – 4:00
  8. "The Righteous & the Wicked" – 4:08
  9. "Give It Away" – 4:43
  10. "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" – 4:31
  11. "Under the Bridge" – 4:24
  12. "Naked in the Rain" – 4:26
  13. "Apache Rose Peacock" – 4:42
  14. "The Greeting Song" – 3:14
  15. "My Lovely Man" – 4:39
  16. "Sir Psycho Sexy" – 8:17
  17. "They're Red Hot" (Robert Johnson) – 1:11

Personnel

Chart positions

Album

Chart Peak position
Billboard 200 [31] 3
UK Top 40 [32] 5
Swedish Top 60 [56] 26
Austria [57] 17
France [58] 71
Finland [59] 16
Norway [60] 5
Switzerland [61] 10

Singles

Year Single[30] Chart Peak position
1991 "Give It Away" Modern Rock Tracks 1
1992 "Give It Away" The Billboard Hot 100 2
1992 "Under the Bridge" The Billboard Hot 100 2
1992 "Under the Bridge" Mainstream Rock Tracks 2
1992 "Under the Bridge" Modern Rock Tracks 6
1992 "Breaking the Girl" Mainstream Rock Tracks 15
1992 "Breaking the Girl" Modern Rock Tracks 19
1992 "Suck My Kiss" Modern Rock Tracks 15

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d "Red Hot Chili Peppers Biography". All Music Guide. Retrieved 2007-07-22.
  2. ^ a b c d Steve Huey. "Blood Sugar Sex Magik Review". All Music Guide. Retrieved 2007-07-21.
  3. ^ Kiedis, 2004. p 220-229
  4. ^ Kiedis, 2004. p 230
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i VH1's Behind the Music: Red Hot Chili Peppers - 2002
  6. ^ Kiedis, 2004. p. 229
  7. ^ Kiedis, 2004. p. 233
  8. ^ "Mother's Milk". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved 2007-06-07. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ Kiedis, 2004. pp. 240-4
  10. ^ a b Kiedis, 2004. p. 260
  11. ^ Kiedis, 2004. p. 261
  12. ^ a b Kiedis, 2004. pp. 261-262
  13. ^ Kiedis, 2004. p. 257
  14. ^ Kiedis, 2004. p. 270-280
  15. ^ a b c Kiedis, 2004. p. 274
  16. ^ a b c Kiedis, 2004. p. 275
  17. ^ a b Red Hot Chili Peppers; Funky Monks
  18. ^ a b Kiedis, 2004. p. 264.
  19. ^ Kiedis, 2004. p 263-267
  20. ^ Kiedis, 2004. p. 266
  21. ^ Kiedis, 2004. pp. 260-275
  22. ^ a b c d David Fricke. "The Naked Truth". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2007-08-10. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  23. ^ Kiedis, 2004. pp. 265-266
  24. ^ a b Kiedis, 2004. p. 267
  25. ^ a b Kiedis, 2004. p. 271
  26. ^ a b c Kiedis, 2004. p. 272
  27. ^ a b Kiedis, 2004. p. 273
  28. ^ "Gold and Platinum: Diamond Awards". Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). undated. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  29. ^ "Gold and Platinum: Searchable Database". RIAA. undated. Retrieved 2007-06-24. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ a b c "Red Hot Chili Peppers' singles charts". All Music Guide. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  31. ^ a b "Blood Sugar charting". Billboard. Retrieved 2007-07-23. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  32. ^ a b "UK Top 40 Singles Chart". Everyhit.com. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  33. ^ a b c Kiedis, 2004. p. 280
  34. ^ a b Kiedis, 2004. p. 281
  35. ^ Kiedis, 2004. p. 290
  36. ^ a b c d Tom Moon. "Blood Sugar Sex Magik Review". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2007-07-22. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  37. ^ a b c d Devon Powters. "Blood Sugar Sex Magik review". Pop Matters. Retrieved 2007-07-22.
  38. ^ a b ""Under the Bridge" song review". All Music Guide. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  39. ^ ""Give It Away" song review". All Music Guide. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  40. ^ a b "The 90s Top 100 Essential Albums". Pause & Play. Retrieved 2007-08-10. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  41. ^ a b Top 90 Albums of the 90's "Top 90 Albums of the 90s". Spin. Retrieved 2007-08-11. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  42. ^ a b "101 Essential Guitar Albums". Guitarist Magazine. Retrieved 2007-08-11. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  43. ^ a b "500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2007-08-10. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  44. ^ a b c d Kiedis, 2004. p. 282
  45. ^ a b c d Kiedis, 2004. p. 284
  46. ^ a b Kiedis, 2004. p. 286
  47. ^ a b Kiedis, 2004. p. 288
  48. ^ Kiedis, 2004. pp. 300-301
  49. ^ a b Kiedis, 2004. p. 295
  50. ^ a b Kiedis, 2004. pp. 298-304
  51. ^ "Artist Bio". MTV. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  52. ^ a b c Blood Sugar Sex Magik booklet, and linear notes
  53. ^ "Blood Sugar Sex Magik accolades". Acclaimed Music. Retrieved 2007-08-10.
  54. ^ "90 Greatest Albums of the 90s". Q Magazine. Retrieved 2007-08-11. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  55. ^ "Ultimate Albums". VH1. Retrieved 2007-08-13.
  56. ^ "Swedish album chart archives". hitparad.se. Retrieved 2007-07-20.
  57. ^ "Austrian Chart Archives". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 2007-07-20.
  58. ^ "French Chart Archives". lescharts.com. Retrieved 2007-07-20.
  59. ^ "Finnish Chart Archives". finnishcharts.com. Retrieved 2007-07-20.
  60. ^ "Norwegian Chart Archives". vg.no. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  61. ^ "Swiss Chart Archives". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2007-07-20.

References