Review of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Blood Sugar Sex Magik"

Despite gaining such acclamation, the Chili Peppers did not have to abandon their hard nosed style - a trade-off countless bands have made (and will no doubt continue to make). So Blood Sugar Sex Magik is an album with an edge. This comes in the form of rapped lyrics, a funky and aggressive beat and the more than occasional swear word.

Despite this there are some more accessible, radio friendly songs. "Under the Bridge," an enormous hit for the band, is a good example of this. A ballad with a different feel to it than the rest of the album, it lulls you into a false sense of security before an excited climax: "Under the bridge downtown/is where I drew some blood/under the bridge downtown/I could not get enough." "Breaking the Girl" also stands out, although it is a bit rockier.

The rest of Blood Sugar Sex Magik, though, showcases the more aggressive side of the band. One song after another - and there are a total of seventeen on this well stacked record - follow the standard mentioned above, in regards the lyrics and sound.

This is both a strength and weakness. On the negative side it can become a tad dull hearing the same thing again and again and again and again. On the positive side, though, the songs are good. Furthermore it gives the album a great coherency to take an idea and follow it through. Increasing this effect is that the songs blend into each other - the end of one and the start of the next - Abbey Road style.

In the end it is these positive elements that makes the album a good one. Still, it is definitely not the sort of thing that would appeal to everyone. Apart from the unique sound and aggressive nature of the band there is the unique vocal style of Anthony Kiedis to get around. His voice, which appears to live on the in tune/out of tune border, is somewhat of an acquired taste. But when all these varying components do slot into place, Blood Sugar Sex Magik begins to sound pretty good.

RATING: 8/10

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