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This account is not in use anymore, please remove me from your COT if I'm in there! My new account is JessL. If you want an explanation, see inside my profile. x
Member since:09.02.2003
Reviews:80
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The Red Hot Chili Peppers are quite new to me - I had heard of them, but I wasn't a particular fan, and hadn't heard a lot of their songs. But then the album By The Way became really popular and By The Way and The Zephyr Song become really big hits, and I decided to download some of their earlier stuff from KaZaA.
Otherside, Californication and Scar Tissue were the ones I downloaded (from the album Californication) and I liked all three. One friend lent me a copy of By The Way and I loved it! I went out and bought it from HMV the next day.
A quick overview: the band consist of Anthony Kiedis (vocals), Flea (bass guitar), Chad Smith (drums) and a guitarist but I can't remember his name! It's something Frusciante, I know that, but I can't for the life of me recall his first name! They've been around for ages and I now have three of their albums: One Hot Minute, Californication and this one.
I'm trying to describe these songs but I don't have a clue when it comes to things like basslines, guitars, etc, so bear with me!
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1) By The Way - the first track to be released from this album. It's quite rocky and loud, but somewhat commercial as well. I do like this, but it's not my favourite.
2) Universally Speaking - This is slower than the usual RHCP stuff, but quite listenable too. It's not the best on the album but it's not the worst either. Anthony
Kiedis' (on a completely unrelated note, he's rumoured to have had a fling with Heidi Klum the model) voice is quite soft and sweet. It grows on you as it goes along.
3) This Is The Place - This isn't my favourite from the album, but I do like it. There are references to Anthony's drug addiction (I think) which seem to make it more personal, but I don't think you'd think that if you didn't know about his addiction! I thought it was a slow song at the start but the singing really kicks in after a minute, and it's quite enjoyable really, but not that memorable.
4) Dosed - This is my favourite from the album. It's a song that shows how talented the band really are. It's quite... melodic if you understand me. It would be too soft and fluffy, but I think the vocals and the subtle guitars make it work. There's not really a lot to say about it, but it really is brilliant.
5) Don't Forget Me - This song is average. If any other band did this, it would be quite good, but for RHCP, it is most definitely mediocre. There are some good guitar bits (? might be something else) but there isn't much else going on. The singing sounds very odd as well. Not really keen on this, I always skip over it.
6) The Zephyr Song - Probably the most successful song from the album so far, but in my opinion, it's just okay, not brilliant. It was released a few months ago, but it's still played a lot on the radio. It's quite dreamy and chilled out, but there are some rockier bits chucked in there too which stops it being a bit too dreamy and chilled out! I can't imagine for the life of me what a zephyr is though!
7) Can't Stop - My mum hates this song, but I love it. I love the intro to it! There's bass there (I think) with drums getting louder and louder, and then the song really kicks in. I think Can't Stop doesn't really do Anthony's voice justice, but the song makes up for it! It's quite happy and sounds 10 times better when turned right up!
8) I Could Die For You - A lot softer and romantic than the usual stuff you get from the Chili Peppers, but nonetheless, it's great. The title sounds really fluffy but the vocals make it sound a bit funkier, but there's no disguising this is a sweet love song.
9) Midnight - A darker, moodier song from this album. There are howling wind sound effects at the start which set the tone for this song. The chorus is rocky and catchy, but the vocals and instruments are generally quite subdued. I like this, but I don't think it'll be released as a single because it's too 'unusual' to do well in the charts.10) Throw Away Your Television - The phrase is a metaphor, I think, so don't let that put you off thinking it's a squawky, 'rebellious' song! It's quite different to the other songs on the album, but enjoyable nonetheless. It isn't one of my favourites though, but not the worst by any means.
11) Cabron - The start to this song is very odd and very unlike the other songs on this album! It has a quite Spanish feel to it. I can't put my finger on why, but I really can't stand this song, I always have to flip it over. It sounds really messy to me, and I just don't like it at all.
12) Tear - This is the slowest song on the album. I'm not too keen on it - it's too slow and slushy for me, but if you're into that kind of thing you might like it.
13) On Mercury - the background to this song is mid-tempo really, but he's singing really fast - not rapping, just singing... quickly. The worst track on the album, not my kind of thing at all.
14) Minor Thing - I like this song. I didn't like it at first but it's a definite grower. The chorus is catchy, and the song overall is quite fast but slow enough so you can catch what he's singing! Quite good, could be a potential single.
15) Warm Tape - This song is odd but likeable. It has a dreamy, airy feel to it, and here and there the vocals seem scratchy, but it's generally an above-average track, but only just.
16) Venice Queen - very odd. This isn't typical RHCP fare, but it's not original either. I don't like it at all. I can't explain why, but the song is just unmemorable and if you had to form an opinion on the basis of this song, I would think they were rubbish.
Overall, this is a really good album with just a few tracks that drag down the general quality (On Mercury, Cabron), but for a sixteen track album, two or three isn't bad at all! It's my most-played album, and I'd definitely recommend it - there's something for everyone in here, and if you don't buy this, you'll be missing out on one of the best albums of 2003.
I very nearly gave it an excellent, but I played back Venice Queen and Cabron and couldn't. Very nearly though!
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It's John Frusciante. I absolutely LOVE Cabron and like On Mercury and The Zephyr Song is absolutely beautiful and is a real grower! But I agree about Venice Queen, I never listen to it. Sharron xxx
AliJayne 03.06.2003 22:58
I am so into this album and sent it to my brother when he was backpacking.He was overjoyed and we are all fans now.
Maia 04.05.2003 21:03
I've been thinking about getting this album and you've convinced me! Loved their old stuff when I was younger, especially Under the Bridge! Great op, thanx!
'By The Way' is the eighth album from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the follow up to ... more
their multi-platinum selling 1999 release 'Californication'. This album is more varied than their previous work, and sees them combining melodic funk rock with flamen...
Advantages: Original, fresh and a poke in the eye for manufactured rubbish Disadvantages: Unless you use internet shops, it will cost you around 15 pounds
Advantages: lots of styles, lots of moods, can really get into it, excellent lyrics Disadvantages: explicit language, can't be fully appreciated just in the background
Advantages: excellent lyrics, music and vocals, some you'll definitely know and the best of the best! Disadvantages: probably nothing new if you already have the other albums
Apr 8th, 2003
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