Stadium Arcadium

Album Info

Label: Warner Bros.

Release Date: 09 May 2006

Discs: 2 discs

Genre(s): Alternative, Rock

Summary

Rick Rubin produced this double-disc, 28-song set for the veteran Los Angeles rock outfit.

Also By This Artist: By The Way

Also On The Web: Official Artist Site

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this album is 9.2 (out of 10) based on 832 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Fortune F gave it a10:
An incredible mix of musical styles, from some of the best melodic rock around in 'Slow Cheetah' and 'She Looks To Me' to rappin' hard hitting funk in 'Storm In a Teacup'. The only odd this about this album is that, aside from Dani California, they chose the worst songs to be singles.

j m gave it a10:
One of the best albums ever made, every song is awesome. I have not found this album to be redundant at all, and on the contrary, has a variety of song styles. I have yet to meet anyone that dislikes this album.

Bruno S. gave it a10:
It's great! For sure, Stadium Arcadium is one of the best albums from Red Hot Chili Peppers.

helpus helpus gave it a10:
The band has developed much since then, most noticably in Anthony's singing style, which was much more rap-based. Do not discount this album because it is different to their others, judge it for its own merits, of which it has many. The majority of the tracks are strong, so much so that i listened to the whole double album first time around in one sitting with no skippings. Undoubtedly there are negatives which come (in my mind) during some of the slower songs which can drag on. But there are many highlights, such as my personal favourites "tORTURE ME""She's only 18" and "Slow Cheetah". Overall this is a very good album from one of the biggest and best bands on the planet and we should hope that they continue making them.This is a change and is brilliant. They are not my favourite band, and this type of music is not my cup of tea but I have to still give them a high rating for the effort. A lot of work was put into it. Very creative and different from anything else on the radio. One of those records you can throw on and listen to all of it. This Album is quite amazing and for anyone to say differently hasnt really listened to it or is just not really informed of what a skilled musician is.The band's musical ability was simply sensational in this album, and the Peppers went all out for this one. Not only was Frusciante's guitar incredible in songs like "Snow (Hey Oh)," but he also played blistering solos in "Dani California" and "Readymade" to name a couple. The rhythm section of the Chili Peppers is the reason I keep coming back, however. THe combination of Chad Smith's incredible drumming and Flea's godlike bass playing is what holds the music together every single track. Chad's drumming in "Stadium Arcadium" and "Hump de Bump" are highlights. Flea's bass playing... wow. His basslines in "Tell Me Baby," "She's Only 18," and "Warlocks" are memorable gemstones of the album. However, I must say Flea's most magnificent work to date is "Hump de Bump." Yes, I said it... best work to date. This song was by far the highlight of the album for me. "Hump de Bump" has an easy yet catchy guitar riff, sweet drum beat, and Flea's bass thumbing during the verse is simple but excellent. Once the chorus comes through, Flea goes wild with an absolutely orgasmic bass line that shows what the Chili Peppers are truly about and makes the song the highlight of the disc for many people, not just myself. All in all, the highlights of the album are "Stadium Arcadium," "Tell Me Baby," "She's Only 18," "Readymade," and, of course, the funk smash "Hump de Bump. Their new album is entitled "Stadium Arcadium," and it's utterly brilliant. The sound of the album is great. John Frusciante's guitar playing is heavenly; Frusciante is easily the Clapton of the 21st century. His solos in "readymade," "Dani California," and "21st Century" are simply dazzling and incredible.I loved Blood Sugar, By the Way, Californication was gd too, Freaky Styley extremly random, and Mothers Milk, which I thought was a stroke of genius. Stone Cold Bush, wotta song. So Since By the Way I had gone from Linkin Park to Trivium and Avenged Sevenfold, so now I wait for the Chilis, hoping that they will not be the cutsy light stuff that By The Way had become since my musical tastes enhanced. Dani California blew me off my seat personally. I liked the fact they heavied it up a bit but retained the chiliness. I had to buy the album. And soon into it I realised this was really gd well written music. Hey Oh, amazing, Charlie funkeriffic, it was gd to hear blood sugar was creeping somewhere into the album. Stadium Arcadium, beautiful song, really touching and agen, amazingly crafted. Jupiter perhaps losing its energy after about song 11 or 12 but still very decent. It took me a longer while to get into Mars I must say, but normally the best albums are the ones that take the longest to get into, then once u do its a bit gobsmacking. This definitley happened to me with Mars.This album is at once as melodic as By The Way, and as funky as Blood Sugar Sex Magic (ok, maybe not that funky, but I swear “Storm In A Teacup” is the funkiest song they’ve done since Freaky Styley). Contrary to popular opinion of those who criticize this album, the songs don’t sound the same at all, and really, each song has its own unique flavor.

Kasen Kasen gave it a10:
After the return of John Frusciante (1998) Red Hot Chili Peppers never deceive you with a mediocre or a bad album.The sound of the Red Hot Chili Peppers is amazing. Their songs I believe have taken rock music to the next level. The music they write really comes from the heart and expresses their true inner feelings about the world around them. This group has many talented people especially their bassist. They are very original. My musical tastes now though would not be present without the band Red Hot Chili Peppers. That is fact. I loved Blood Sugar, By the Way, Californication was gd too, Freaky Styley extremly random, and Mothers Milk, which I thought was a stroke of genius. Stone Cold Bush, wotta song. So Since By the Way I had gone from Linkin Park to Trivium and Avenged Sevenfold, so now I wait for the Chilis, hoping that they will not be the cutsy light stuff that By The Way had become since my musical tastes enhanced. Dani California blew me off my seat personally. I liked the fact they heavied it up a bit but retained the chiliness. I had to buy the album. And soon into it I realised this was really gd well written music. Hey Oh, amazing, Charlie funkeriffic, it was gd to hear blood sugar was creeping somewhere into the album. Stadium Arcadium, beautiful song, really touching and agen, amazingly crafted. Jupiter perhaps losing its energy after about song 11 or 12 but still very decent. It took me a longer while to get into Mars I must say, but normally the best albums are the ones that take the longest to get into, then once u do its a bit gobsmacking. This definitley happened to me with Mars. I think I prefer it, it doesnt lose its energy til the very very end, and with songs like Storm in a Tea cup and Readymade, you shouldnt be surprised. The sound is typical chili's, like one reviewer said. The strongest parts of Blood Sugar, Californication, and By The Way in two albums with a bit of a leap onwards as well.This particular album is by far the best of the RHCP's career. It features 4 musicians that are each individually, at the top of their game and the industry. All members of the band are shining to full potential: Antony is controlling the vocals as only he could, Chad is holding down the beat with perfection, Flea is the best bass player out right now or even ever, and John is etching his name into the best guitarist of all time statue. Their are so many different levels of genius in this album that anyone that does not listen to this album will miss out on an album that will eventually become the pinnacle of this era. At first listen, some of the songs I wasn't feeling all that well. For example: Hump de Bump, it has more funk style to it and I guess that turned me off, but then I listened to it more and tended to like it a little bit better. I think with 28 songs and a double disc, it's hard to like every single one.

Rodrigo G gave it a9:
I could rate this as awesome or terrible, because there are two versions to consider. But first, the album itself: 'Stadium Arcadium' is great! RHCP slightly downplayed the funk from their previous works, and added a solid touch of acid-rock, to mesmerizing results. This is the kind of record to which you should sit, relax, and listen carefully. But there is a problem: Vlado Meller's super-loud mastering makes it a pain to the ears! So don't bother with the CD version or any store downloads: the only way to get Stadium Arcadium with the sound quality it deserves is the vinyl release. It has a different mastering, by renowned audiophile favorite Steve Hoffman. Yes, it is a tad more expensive - it is a 4 LP set, after all. If you have a good stereo set, and you like RHCP, this one is worth it.

Pat S. gave it a6:
Easily one of the Peppers' poorest releases. Decent tunes comprise the album but haphazard vocal phrasing and redundancies are all too populous. Skip this one and replay Californication for the best of new Peppers.

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