Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magik

The Chili Peppers could conceivably be blamed for a lot of pretty bad music that followed in their footsteps. I think that’s a large part of why they annoy a lot of people. That, and the stoner bro pseudo-wisdom of Kiedis’ lyrics, are a recipe for polarization. 

And yet I love the Chili Peppers. I think that’s because it feels like they are 1000% all-in on their personas, their music, their belief that they have something extremely deep and meaningful to express. True or not, that kind of gung-ho energy is energizing, even if you don’t care about the drug- and women-related experiences that have informed the majority of the band’s life philosophy. It’s like watching an ultramarathoner fight through an impossible race - sure, they’re objectively insane, but the fully committed effort of the spirit is still compelling to watch. Or like when my dog stares at a squirrel out the window; her entire mind and soul is fixated on it, and it’s cute to watch. The Chili Peppers’ energy falls somewhere between the wide range from cute barking dogs to inspiring overcomers of odds, in my opinion. There’s simply no hesitation or self-reflection to be found in the music, and that’s what makes it fun.

But in the end, you don’t have to buy into their lives, philosophies, or viewpoints to enjoy their music, and if you add a little funk to any genre I’m gonna love it. Add John Frusciante to the mix and you’ve got a Dave-certified classic.

Jams

• “Blood Sugar Sex Magik”

• “Under the Bridge”

• “Give It Away”

From the roundup Jamwise #37 - Best Albums of 1991.