90's Album of The Week
This week we're travelling to the USA 1991 where a Californian band released their 5th studio album. The Red Hot Chili Peppers went to Rick Rubin to help release this era defining album "Blood Sugar Sex Magik". With Anthony Kiedis providing the lyrics, Flea bouncing off the bass, Chad Smith smashing the drums and John Frusciante adding the Hendrix style psychedelics on the guitar an album was produced that would change the worlds aspects on the rock group for eternity.
The Chili's new they needed a sound that would both speak universally as well as create a niche sound that nobody had ever heard before. They decided it best to record in a new, previously unvisited location where their creative sound could evolve into and mirror their surroundings. Producer Rick Rubin put forward the idea of recording the entire album in a large Mansion which was previously owned by none other than magician Harry Houdini! As you can imagine the band had no problem with agreeing to these terms and decided to live in the mansion despite the presence of ghosts according to lead guitarist John Frusicante, "They were very friendly and we had warms vibes everywhere we went in the house." However this also came from the period of heavy drug use by the band so maybe less holy ghosts and more horrid heroin influences.
Unlike the previous albums "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" didn't take very long to create. Lyrically Kiedis stuck to what he knew which was primarily: sexual innuendos, multiple drug references and his admirable love of California. For example "Suck My Kiss", "If You Have To Ask" and most famously "Under The Bridge". Kiedis was dealing with a lot of inner demons and found himself letting down his family and friends deeply with his drug habits. Anthony goes into deep description of his darkest times in his autobiography "Scar Tissue" which he released in October 2004.
The album moved away from the previously melodic style songs and branched out into they're ability to create a funk/punk sound with Flea slapping the bass to let the music bounce into the grove. The album was released on the 24th of September 1991. To the more observant rock reader, you will notice that this was the same day that Nirvana's "Nevermind" album was released on the exact, same, day. What a year for Rock Music!
What's your favourite Chili's album? Which album do you prefer, Nevermind or BSSM? Comment below and let me know your opinions on everything and believe me, suggestions are welcomed!
No comments:
Post a Comment