| Blood Sugar Sex Magik |
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''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' is the fifth Studio Album by American Alternative Rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers , released on September 24 , 1991 . Produced by Rick Rubin , it was the band's first record released on Warner Bros. Records . Unlike the Chili Peppers' previous album, '' Mother's Milk '', ''Blood Sugar'' was notably different in the heaviness of the guitar, as it contained little use of Heavy Metal riffs. The album's subject material incorporated various sexual innuendos and referenced drugs and death as well as themes of lust and exuberance. The album has sold over seven million copies in the United States alone and became the Chili Peppers' introduction into popularity and critical acclaim.1 ''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' produced many hits for the band, including " Give It Away ", " Under The Bridge ", " Suck My Kiss ", and " Breaking The Girl ". The album also marked the departure of guitarist John Frusciante mid-tour in 1992, until his return in 1998. Steve Huey of '' All Music Guide '' felt that ''Blood Sugar'' was "...probably the best album the Chili Peppers will ever make."2 BACKGROUND In 1988, the band's guitarist - 2002 When the chemistry between McKnight and the rest of the band was determined to be nonexistent, he was fired.Kiedis, 2004. p. 229 During that time, Frusciante was about to become a part of Thelonious Monster , a Punk Rock band formed by Bob Forrest ; however, he was asked by Flea to join the Chili Peppers and accepted instantly.Kiedis, 2004. p 232 Drummer Chad Smith joined the band two weeks prior to pre-production of ''Mother's Milk'', following an unsuccessful open-auditions session.Kiedis, 2004. p. 233 ''Mother's Milk'' would become the band's second album to enter in the Billboard Hot 200 , peaking at #52.3 Although the record was mildly successful, production was weighed down by producer Michael Beinhorn . He convinced Frusciante to play with an overall heavier tone, and instructed Kiedis to write lyrics that would be more radio viable, thus causing the band to feel restricted, creatively.Kiedis, 2004. pp. 240–4 As the Chili Peppers' contract with EMI came to an end, they began looking for a new record company to release their next album with. The group reached a consensus to go with Sony BMG/Epic , with the proviso that they buy out their last album from EMI. Kiedis, 2004. p. 260 Even though the label promised it would take only a few days, the process stretched out into several months. Although a deal had been made with Sony/Epic, Mo Ostin of Warner Bros. Records called Kiedis to congratulate him on the successful deal, and complimented the rival record label. Kiedis, 2004. p. 261 Kiedis recalled of the situation: "The coolest, most real person we had met during all these negotiations had just personally called to encourage me to make a great record for a rival company. That was the kind of guy I'd want to be working for." Kiedis, 2004. pp. 261–262 Kiedis pursued the idea, and eventually dropped the contract with Sony in favor of a deal with Warner Bros. Ostin called an old friend at EMI, who immediately allowed for the label transfer. RECORDING AND PRODUCTION Now settled into Warner Bros. records, the Chili Peppers began looking for a suitable producer. One person in particular, Rick Rubin, stood out, as he was more broadminded in contrast to individuals they had worked with in the past.Kiedis, 2004. p. 257 Eventually, the band decided that he would be the best choice as a producer, and therefore hired him to produce what would become ''Blood Sugar Sex Magik''. Unlike the Peppers' previous producers, Rubin was someone that they felt confident to ask for guidance and input during times of difficulty. He would often help arrange drum beats, guitar melodies and lyrics.Kiedis, 2004. p. 270–280 The band sought to record the album in an unconventional setting, believing it would enhance their creative output. Rubin suggested the mansion Harry Houdini once lived in, to which they agreed. A crew was hired to set up a recording studio and other equipment required for production in the house. The band decided that they would remain inside the mansion for the duration of recording, though Smith, convinced the location was haunted, refused to stay.Kiedis, 2004. p. 274Kiedis, 2004. p. 275 He would, instead, come each day by Motorcycle .Red Hot Chili Peppers; ''Funky Monks'' Frusciante, Kiedis, and Flea each had their own separate rooms at each end of the house. When not recording with the band, Frusciante would spend his time painting, listening to music, reading, and recording various sounds. Due to the seclusion, Kiedis ended up recording all his vocals in his room, as it was large enough to accommodate the recording equipment. For over thirty days, the Chili Peppers worked inside the house; Kiedis felt it was an accommodating and resourceful environment which allowed him to complete the rest of the lyrics. During production, the Chili Peppers agreed to let Flea's brother-in-law document the creative process on film. When the album's recording was complete, the Chili Peppers released the film, entitled '' Funky Monks ''. WRITING AND COMPOSITION ''Blood Sugar'' was written at more rapid pace than the band's previous album.Kiedis, 2004. p. 264. Prior to the Chili Peppers moving into the mansion, Frusciante and Kiedis collaborated together at each other's homes, in order to arrange song structures and guitar riffs.Kiedis, 2004. p 263–267 They would then present ideas to Flea and Smith, and the band would as a whole, decide what they would use for the bass, guitar, vocal, and percussion ensembles. Kiedis focused, lyrically, on sexual references and innuendos as they were constantly on his mind.Kiedis, 2004. p. 266 Songs such as "Suck My Kiss", "If You Have to Ask", "Sir Psycho Sexy", "Give It Away" and "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" all contained various sexual links, with lyrics like "A state of sexual light / Kissing her virginity / My affinity," and "Glorious euphoria / Is my must / Erotic shock / Is a function of lust." Kiedis, 2004. pp. 260–275 The concept behind "The Greeting Song" was a request by Rubin, who asked Kiedis to write a song solely about girls and cars. Although Kiedis disliked the concept, he wrote the song as Rubin requested and ended up hating nearly every aspect of the lyrics. Kiedis also began writing about anguish, and the self mutilating thoughts he would experience as a result of his Heroin and Speed addiction; his life had come to its lowest point under a bridge in downtown LA .4Kiedis, 2004. pp. 265–266 Over a month later, Rubin stumbled upon a poem that would become the lyrics to "Under the Bridge", suggesting Kiedis show it to the rest of the band. Kiedis was, however, apprehensive at first because he believed the lyrics to be "too soft" and unlike the band's style. After singing the verse to Frusciante, they began structuring the song the next day.Kiedis, 2004. p. 267 The two worked for several hours arranging chords and melodies until they both agreed it was perfect and complete. Kiedis felt that the album would expand the Chili Peppers' musical horizons, as it was a departure from their previous material.Kiedis, 2004. p. 271 One of ''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' Although and Prejudice . PROMOTION AND RELEASE ''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' was released on September 24 , 1991 . It was certified Gold just over two months later on November 26 , 1991 , and certified platinum on April 1 , 1992 ; since then it has gone five times multi-platinum in the United States.56 The album peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 .78 As a single, "Give it Away" peaked at #9 on the UK Top 40 ,9 while "Under the Bridge" peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 . Upon initial release, however, "Give it Away" was rejected to be played by Warner's target radio station, telling the band to "come back to us when you have a melody in your song."Kiedis, 2004. p. 280 KROQ (of Los Angeles ), however, began to play the song several times daily, and that, according to Kiedis, "was the beginning of the infusion of "Give it Away" into mass consciousness."Kiedis, 2004. p. 281 To promote the album in Europe, Kiedis and Frusciante both agreed they would make the trip. However, it proved difficult for Frusciante to adapt to life outside of the mansion, after being in near-seclusion for almost thirty days. Kiedis recalled of the situation: "He had such an outpouring of creativity while we were making that album that I think he really didn't know how to live life in tandem with that creativity." It was also during this period when Frusciante began to experiment with Heroin , which further compromised his mental stability.Kiedis, 2004. p. 290 The European promotional trek took its toll on Frusciante, and he decided to return home when he and Kiedis reached London . CRITICAL RECEPTION ''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' was generally well received by critics, who praised the Chili Peppers for not overpowering the listener with Heavy Metal guitar riffs, as their previous album had. '' Rolling Stone's '' Tom Moon credited Rick Rubin for the change in style; Rubin " {Link without Title} the Chilis' dynamic."10 It went on to praise the sound for "displayed a growing curiosity about studio texture and nuance." Steve Huey of All Music Guide said the album was "The Red Hot Chili Peppers' best album...John Frusciante's guitar is less overpoweringly noisy, leaving room for differing textures and clearer lines, while the band overall is more focused and less indulgent." He considered ''Blood Sugar'' to be "varying... it expands the group's musical and emotional range." Devon Powters of Pop Matters said that "in one funked-out, fucked up, diabolical swoop, Blood Sugar Sex Magik reconfigured my relationship to music, to myself, to my culture and identity, to my race and class."11 Music critic Robert Christgau gave the album a two star honorable mention, one of his highest ratings. ''Blood Sugar'' was also considered to be an influential album, throughout the nineties, by becoming a foundation for alternative rock. "Under the Bridge", which became a breakout song for the band, was considered to be a highlight of the album by several critics. All Music Guide reviewed the song individually and called it a "...poignant sentiment...it is self evident among the simple guitar which cradles the introductory verse, and the sense of fragility that is only doubled by the still down-tempo choral crescendo," it "...has become an integral part of the 1990's alterna-landscape, and remains one of the purest diamonds that sparkle amongst the rough-hewn and rich funk chasms that dominate the Peppers' own oeuvre."12 However, '' Entertainment Weekly '' criticized the seriousness that the Chili Peppers explored as being "disapproving of the band's usual Red Hot antics," and "Under the Bridge" had "fancy-shmancy touches."13 The song ended up peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1992. "Give it Away" was also praised for being "...a free-associative mixture of positive vibes, tributes to musical heroes, and free love," as Frusciante "...adds the song's two most unpredictable change-ups: a sudden contrast to Kiedis' hyperactivity in the form of a languid solo pre-recorded and dubbed backwards over the rhythm track, and a hard-rocking riff which is not introduced until the song's outro..."14 Songs such as "Sir Psycho Sexy", however, were criticized for being overly explicit. Devon Powters of Pop Matters said that "Eight minutes of "Sir Psycho Sexy" will turn RHCP's young listeners into quivering masses of hormonal jello. Oversexed lines sneak their way into "Apache Rose Peacock"; "Blood Sugar Sex Magik", simply, sounds like fucking. Even the purest virgin comes away from ''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' with a degree of sexual maturity; even the slickest playa can learn a couple of new moves." Years later, ''Blood Sugar'' was placed atop many "Best Of" lists, especially those pertaining to the 90s. '' Spin Magazine '' charted the album at #58 on their "Top 90 Albums of the 90s", and #11 on a similar list compiled by ''Pause & Play''.1516 ''Guitarist Magazine'' put the album in their "101 Essential Guitar Albums", which was unordered after #10.17 ''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' also ranked #310 on '' Rolling Stone '' ''BLOOD SUGAR'' TOUR AND FRUSCIANTE'S DEPARTURE and John Frusciante performing live in 1991 during the ''Blood Sugar'' tour]] Before the ''Blood Sugar'' tour, Kiedis saw the music video for The Smashing Pumpkins 's " Rhinoceros " on MTV. He then called the band's manager and asked him to accommodate The Smashing Pumpkins for the tour.Kiedis, 2004. p. 282 Several days after the Pumpkins confirmed they would accompany the Chili Peppers, Jack Irons called and asked the band to allow his friend's new group, Pearl Jam , to open for them on the forthcoming tour. The first show following the release of ''Blood Sugar'' was at the Oscar Meyer Theater in Madison, Wisconsin. ''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' began receiving heavy radio play and massive sales in the middle of their US tour. Frusciante, who preferred the Chili Peppers to remain underground, began to go into a deep state of denial, and depression.Kiedis, 2004. p. 284 According to Kiedis, "He began to lose all of the manic, happy-go-lucky, fun aspects of his personality. Even onstage, there was a much more serious energy around him." Frusciante was slowly slipping away from the band altogether, and began to form grudges against his fellow band mates. He saw the band's newfound popularity as shameful. Tension began to grow between Kiedis and Frusciante onstage. Kiedis recalled an argument after a show in drummer Dave Grohl , and asked him if Nirvana would replace Pearl Jam on the tour— an offer Grohl accepted.Kiedis, 2004. p. 288 Their first show with Nirvana was at the L.A Sports Arena. Kiedis considered their act to be "raw energy; their musicality, their song election, they were like a chain saw cutting through the night." Following several more concerts, the band traveled to Europe, where Frusciante, in need of someone to connect to, brought along his girlfriend Toni Oswald. Kiedis said that "John had broken our unwritten rule of no spouses or girlfriends on the road." Briefly interrupting the European-tour, the Chili Peppers flew to New York City and performed on an episode of Saturday Night Live . The Peppers played ''Under the Bridge'' as the second number; a performance that Kiedis felt was sabotaged by Frusciante:Kiedis, 2004. pp. 300–301 The band took a two-week hiatus between the European and Japanese legs of the tour, which began in May 1992. Minutes before the Chili Peppers were scheduled to perform in Tokyo, Frusciante refused to go on stage, claiming he quit the band.Kiedis, 2004. p. 295 However, after half an hour of coaxing, Frusciante agreed to play the show, though asserting the actuality that it would be his last. Kiedis recalled of the situation: "It was the most horrible show ever. Every single note, every single word, hurt, knowing that we were no longer a band. I kept looking over at John and seeing this dead statue of disdain...And that night, John disappeared from the topsy-turvy world of the Red Hot Chili Peppers." The band hired guitarist Arik Marshall to finished out the rest of the tour, which included Lollapolooza , and several European festivals, as well.Kiedis, 2004. pp. 298–30419 Marshall, however, was fired at the end of the tour. ARTWORK All photography, paintings and art direction on ''Blood Sugar'' were credited to filmmaker Gus Van Sant .''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' booklet and linear notes The cover of the album features the four band members' faces positioned around a Rose . The lyrics are printed in white lettering across a black background, hand written by Kiedis. The booklet also contains a collage of photos assembled to showcase the band members' various tattoos, which feature faces of Native American tribal leaders, animals and sea creatures, as well as various symbols and phrases. Photographs of each band member alone, and two photographs of the band as a whole are also included. Singles released to coincide with the album share little with ''Blood Sugar'' ACCOLADES The information regarding accolades attributed to ''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' is adapted from AcclaimedMusic.net.20
TRACK LISTING All songs written by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, except where noted. # "The Power of Equality" – 4:03 # " If You Have To Ask " – 3:37 # " Breaking The Girl " – 4:55 # "Funky Monks" – 5:23 # " Suck My Kiss " – 3:37 # "I Could Have Lied" – 4:04 # "Mellowship Slinky in B Major" – 4:00 # "The Righteous & the Wicked" – 4:08 # " Give It Away " – 4:43 # "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" – 4:31 # " Under The Bridge " – 4:24 # "Naked in the Rain" – 4:26 # "Apache Rose Peacock" – 4:42 # "The Greeting Song" – 3:14 # "My Lovely Man" – 4:39 # "Sir Psycho Sexy" – 8:17 # " They're Red Hot " ( Robert Johnson ) – 1:11 PERSONNEL
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