Stadium Arcadium is a Bust

chrisopalooza

CousinEddy wrote:

I hate to say it but from what i have listened to so far (3/4 of the album) the new chili peppers album is very disapointing for me. I thought by the way was their best work by far and was stoked for this new album. Alot of this album sounds like they have regressed to their sound of like the late 80's. BORING! hopefully it grows on me but as for now i am totally let down. anyone else feel the same?

i am stoked then! if people that loved by the way hate the album then this must be good!!! by the way was horrible!!!

sweeeeeet!!!

jhawk98

I'm amazed that someone thinks this album sounds like old peppers. You could not be more wrong. Play FreakeyStyley, and then pop this new one in and rethink that statement. They are not even close. With the exception of about 5 mildly funky tunes where they finally let Flea out of his cage, it's basically a BTW clone a long, bloated, BTW clone.
I'm just not feeling these guys anymore I guess. It's an okay album, and there are a few tunes that are really good, but overall, its another disappointment to me. Their song structures are way too similar to previous work, and the era of their work (BTW) that appeals the least to me to boot. The vocals, and arrangements on many songs sound EXACTLY like BTW.
The one saving grace this thing does have is the work of Mr. Frusciante. Absolutely amazing guitar player who shines here like no other. I've always thought he was decent, but he really takes things to another level on this record IMO. If not for that, it would really be a bore. Sadly, this may be the last peppers record I ever buy.

Chazzam

I think this albums great. Double albums nowadays always seem to be bloated but this one has few weak tracks. Definetly better then By The Way but prob not as good as Californication. With this and avacodo i think the chilis and pearl jam are both in for a great year

Xiang

honestly, I think there are enough good songs to make one great CD! But there's a lot of filler and clones of past songs that don't really interest me.


With me, Avocado remains best album of the year so far...

allornone

I bought it on Tuesday and haven't fully absorbed it yet. There's so many songs - I have to give it a few honest listens before I can give my final thoughts.

Haven't listened to much of disc two, but the more I listen to disc one, the more I like it. Favorites so far are Snow, Hump de Bump (I thought this sucked at first but it's really starting to grow on me), She's Only 18, and Torture Me.

I think there are elements of each of their albums from the John F. era. I do agree that John F. owns the album, they should just rename themselves The John Frusciante Band w/special guests Anthony, Flea, and Chad.

pearl jam rules

i guess the bottom line for me is that i just prefer the pepppers earlier work where their albums would be:

funk song, funk song, funk song, ballad, funk, funk, funk, ballad, funk

now they basically just do:

ballad, funk, ballad, ballad, funk, ballad, ballad

after 28 songs (only a handful of which can even be described as funk) and over 15 ballads....i just get a little bored. the ballads tend to blend together. and i respect anthony's growth as a singer, but he still doesn't have a hell of a lot of range, so that only hurts the mid-tempo/ballady type songs. overall, this disc would be wayyy better for me if they just cut it down to 17 songs, included all the funky/heavier songs and the best of the ballads. if they did that, it might rank among their best


and nooooo i don't have a problem with bands that are more mellow. and don't criticize me for wanting the peppers to return to their early sound. i respect their willingness to expand their sound and take chances. i just think that overall, there are fewer real risks on SA than there are mediocre quiet songs. just my opinion

direwolf74

I totally disagree. I think it's a very solid album, easily among the best things they've done. It's certainly their most ambitious. Like most double-albums, not every song is gonna be a gem, and there are probably 5 or 6 tunes that I don't really like, but the majority of it is pretty damn impressive. Frusciante's guitar dominates both discs, and that alone makes the album worth buying in my opinion. It also features Kiedis' best vocal performance of his career. The only weak aspect of the album are his lyrics, which haven't really developed at all since Blood Sugar Sex Magik. But then again, the Chilis have never been known for their lyrical prowess, so it's a minor complaint. Silly lyrics aside, these guys can still write a catchy hook like nobody's business. 28 songs is definitely self-indulgent, but when the music's this good, who gives a shit?

I give it two thumbs up!

The Darkness

I've liked all the chili peppers albums since 'Mothers Milk'. I've only listened to 'Stadium' twice, and always at a reasonable volume, since I work in an office. My initial impression is that for a double album, there isn't a lot of variety. I was expecting it to be all over the place. Maybe when I play it at home, I'll change my tune.

chris01

Ive listened to most of the album and i think JF's work is immense. But there's something about Flea's playing on this album which just doesnt seem right.

Sure he plays Bass like i can only dream of playing it, but it seems like he's not doing anything new on this album to challenge himself and sounds sort of 'stale'.

Maybe after a few listens ill change my mind but right now that's how it seems to me.

Toshala

I appreciate the good and bad reviews......I tend to agree with both sides to a degree......I still have most of the 2nd disc to get through as I just got it last nite.....I dig the funk and could stand for a bit harder in that area.....I don't really care for poppy over melodic 2/4 time happy tunes except in small doses...and I don't mind for them reaching back in time for ideas but don't give me rehashes......and there's no way I can tell you which songs I'm talking about YET but still, overall I like it well enough.....I better since I paid $59....(included shipping!)

nuthinsaidwhatawaste

Enjoying SA so far. Still a bit early for a final verdict. Like many have said before, John Frusciante is a genious. Put the headphones on and check out his tone. hair raising stuff imho.

El Riot Actor

The 2nd disc is excellent from song 1 through 14, i am just starting to dig the first disc.... great stuff!!!

Clifwith1f

I think SA is some of their best work. They've really matured as a band. I love both discs.

Grungeblood

its too much of the same stuff, but its alright.

MCG

CousinEddy wrote:

I hate to say it but from what i have listened to so far (3/4 of the album) the new chili peppers album is very disapointing for me. I thought by the way was their best work by far and was stoked for this new album. Alot of this album sounds like they have regressed to their sound of like the late 80's. BORING! hopefully it grows on me but as for now i am totally let down. anyone else feel the same?

I don't think I could disagree with you more. I thought "By the Way" was by far the worst RHCP's cd I'd heard in a great many years. Stadium Arcadium, Califonication, One Hot Minute and Blood Sugar Sex Magic all beat the shit out of By the Way. "Stadium Arcadium" seems to take elements from previous works and put them out there in a new and enjoyable way.

TouringFan2000

this should have been ONE album. but i'm happy that they're still making music. frusciante is fuckin brilliant.