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Red Hot Chili Peppers Universally Speaking

Red Hot Chili Peppers: Universally Speaking

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? by Gareth Dobson
Damn the Chili Peppers.

Five years ago, they were the coolest; on a one-way road trip to Valhalla, buoyed along on a wave of smack, smack, smack. The legacy had been written; ‘Here lies the hard living, big funking rock warriors; may the remaining calcium from their bones rot away quickly.’

And then they cleaned up and cleared out of junkville, getting on the corporate rehabilitation programme to cash-cow nirvana. Now when they die, it will be in large, well attended-to Hollywood Hills mansions.

...and what do we get in return for this snivelling, shameless opt-out for the yoga and vegan lifestyle?

Tunes. Big, sleek, heart warming, lustrous homages to SoCal soul as graceful as Flea’s nappies were once graceless.

Damn them all the way to paradise.

  • Red Hot Chili Peppers 7 / 10
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Red Hot Chili Peppers - Universally Speaking

I'm listening to Aereoplane. I like it. I like Sir Psycho Sexy. I like the funk. Where has the funk gone? Why have they gone to sleep? Why is this all so boring?

Hmph

KPxx
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 13 Jun '03, 15:58 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Universally Speaking

Um.... sounded like a good review, but the points indicated it was an 'average' review... wish it could be more polarised love/hate, so I know where I stand.


I don't know what planet record companies are on.. 'Zephyr Song' and 'Universally Speaking' are two of the most drab boring saccharine MOR bollocks they've ever done... are they trying to win MOR middle-agers over to the cause?? Hope they're successful, because they're definitely succeeding in their mission to convince us all that the RHCP have discarded their credibility. I really don't understand, beyond the fact that there are far too many incompetent corporate fucks who have no love of music whatsoever working in the industry.Their choice of singles does a whoe lot to put people OFF buying the (excellent) album, way I see it. 'By The Way' was interesting and credible, as was 'Can't Stop'... why not choose the excellent new wavey 'This Is The Place' or the cooool Manu Negra-ish Throw Away Your Television' Twats!.... and what about the awesome 'Under The Bridge'moment, 'Midnight'. I think Warners have done a great job of misrepresenting the Chilis to the general public.

Old_Anonymous_Comments | 14 Jun '03, 00:51 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Universally Speaking

" 'Zephyr Song' and 'Universally Speaking' are two of the most drab boring saccharine MOR bollocks they've ever done..."

And have nearly the same tune too!
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 14 Jun '03, 11:17 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Universally Speaking

There's plenty of funk in the RHCP's new record; just that they've refined their music beyond being a rhythm section jam session over which Kiedis shouts inanities as it was when they started.

Listen to what's actually 'going on' in the new songs, 'musically' I mean (may be a touch one). It's a truly great record. Listen to the kind of lines Flea's putting down and the melodies and harmonies surrounding that. The lyrics are more open and often quite profound.

Just cos it's got a tune and they play it on MTV don't mean it's bad.

Andrew_Future | 14 Jun '03, 15:52 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Universally Speaking

There's plenty of funk in the RHCP's new record; just that they've refined their music beyond being a rhythm section jam session over which Kiedis shouts inanities as it was when they started.

Listen to what's actually 'going on' in the new songs, 'musically' I mean (may be a touch one). It's a truly great record. Listen to the kind of lines Flea's putting down and the melodies and harmonies surrounding that. The lyrics are more open and often quite profound.

Just cos it's got a tune and they play it on MTV don't mean it's bad.

Andrew_Future | 14 Jun '03, 16:04 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Universally Speaking

I really liked the new album, and the way they have evolved out of a straightforward funk band, as you can see if you read my review. My beef is that the only weak and pappy songs on the album are the two singles I mentioned. I simply don't get what the hell Warners are trying to achieve. Since when does bland sell records??? It's not like the Chilis have some uber-offensive past that might offend the middle aged adult rock audience, so why???
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 15 Jun '03, 21:20 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Universally Speaking

Aren't they trying to sell records? Don't seem to be doing a bad job. Last couple of Chilis LPs have sold more than their entire backcatalogue put together.
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 15 Jun '03, 22:25 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Universally Speaking

I just think they could have sold more if they'd chosen their singles better. By The Way deserved to take them into the next level of rockstardom, up with U2. It is a very accomplished record.
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 16 Jun '03, 15:11 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Universally Speaking

I thought Universally Speaking was a new Robbie Williams song when I first heard it. Seriously.
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 14 Jun '03, 20:41 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Universally Speaking

Good point Chris - but mainly cos some knobfuck has changed the rating on the review - I gave it 4/5.
which is a good review. THat's like 8/10 fer gawds sake...
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 16 Jun '03, 08:45 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Universally Speaking

i thought it was the strokes at first, until the vocals anyhow.
billr2k | 16 Jun '03, 20:50 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Universally Speaking

So they're not as good now that they've eased up on the cringe-making rapping and replaced the "oh dear, we seem to have invented Limp Bizkit completely by accident, honest!" cock rock with sun-stealing, beach-boy-buggering beat pop? well that figures...

and if you want funk, you ring up mr james brown and say "excuse me sir, could you lay down some heavy sex-grunting for us," not ring chilli peppers and say "yo dude, those riffs are like totally far out and kinda groovy. man."
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 13 Jun '03, 18:33 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Universally Speaking

Ah shut up bout how crap they are now, I'm sure all you guys who say stuff like that wouldnt be able to play 1% as well as they do, in ANY of their songs!
I just want to know who that funny eejit is in the vid lol hes a star in his own right these days I reckon, give the man a tv show i say!
ThatMadEejit | 13 Dec '04, 17:46 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Universally Speaking

not sure who the eejit is you mean,but never the less,i like the Red Hot Chili Peppers.and your right people who down them have no right,well said,good for you.lol
chelsea | 13 Dec '04, 18:02 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Universally Speaking

lol! Ah I just reckon some people need to just appreicate what they have now some more ye know. Maybe the world'll be a happier place somehow!
The quest for that eejits name rolls on lol......


ps good to see someone still likes the great and mighty oasis......
ThatMadEejit | 13 Dec '04, 18:07 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Universally Speaking

lol.im totaly onto what your saying,your sooooo right and im just glad that for once there seems to be someone out there with good enough music taste to agree with me instead of debating my veiws.

P.S.of course i like oasis there amazing.
chelsea | 13 Dec '04, 18:09 | Send note | Report this | Reply