22. Red Hot Chili Peppers--Blood Sugar Sex Magik

Year: 1991
Producer: Rick Rubin
Personnel:

• Anthony Kiedis -- Vocals
• John Frusciante -- guitar
• Flea -- Bass
• Chad Smith -- Drums

One of the two albums that the Chilis got into the book, Blood Sugar Sex Magik is relentlessly funky. Although Flea and John Frusciante's work on bass and lead guitar certainly contribute the most to this quality, the snappy drumming of Chad Smith keeps things upbeat and Anthony Kiedis' often-not-quite-sung vocals feel like a rhythm instrument in many places rather than melodic vocal lines. Even "Breaking The Girl," despite featuring acoustic guitar, is given that same feel by jumpy bass work that complements one of the album's softer moments. Although a slight divergence from the rest of the album's feel, the song has continuity through the injection of that bassline. The album's softer moments, despite muting that funkiness, never fully lose that thread. Whether drums, bass or guitar keep the funk going, it continues onward. "Mellowship Slinky" not only describes the song that it serves as a title to, but the album as a whole.

One of the softer moments, "I Could Have Lied," feels vaguely like it could have been a cut off of John Mayer's Continuum, particularly in some of Frusciante's more soloistic guitar work, recalling Mayer's bluesy style on songs such as "Slow Dancing In a Burning Room." "Under The Bridge" is undeniably the album's standout gem of a song, simple in its construction and haunting in its meaning. Although the album is funky throughout, some of its best moments come when the band steps away from that style for something more restrained.

Overall: 4/5 stars, largely based on the way certain songs such as "I Could Have Lied,""Breaking The Girl" and "Under The Bridge" stand out from the rest and elevate the album to another, more artistic level. Much of the rest is not quite as distinctive, but still well worth a listen.