Stadium Arcadium
by Red Hot Chili Peppers
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 1071 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 955 out of 1071
  2. Mixed: 46 out of 1071
  3. Negative: 70 out of 1071

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  1. why_so_accurate
    Jan 25, 2022
    9
    Really one of the best RHCP's album. Stadium Arcadium made me want to learn the guitar, and the getaway made me continue my progression ! just hoping that Frusciante's come back album will be as good as this one
  2. thegetaway
    Apr 15, 2021
    10
    The band's most ambitious album, that perfectly captures a similar energy to that of the band's live performances, as well as their eclectic nature. Truly, a masterwork.
  3. NolanLundgaard
    Feb 16, 2021
    9
    Stadium Arcadium by Red Hot Chili Peppers: 8.30

    Dani California: 1 :) Snow (Hey Oh): 1 :) Charlie: 1 :) Stadium Arcadium: 1 :) Hump de Bump: 0.75 She’s Only 18: 1 :) Slow Cheetah: 0.75 Torture Me: 0.75 Strip My Mind: 1 :) Especially in Michigan: 1 :) Warlocks: 1 :) C’mon Girl: 0.5 Wet Sand: 1 :) Hey: 1 Desecration Smile: 1 :) Tell Me Baby: 1 :) Hard to Concentrate: 1    Stadium Arcadium by Red Hot Chili Peppers: 8.30

    Dani California: 1 :)
    Snow (Hey Oh): 1 :)
    Charlie: 1 :)
    Stadium Arcadium: 1 :)
    Hump de Bump: 0.75
    She’s Only 18: 1 :)
    Slow Cheetah: 0.75
    Torture Me: 0.75
    Strip My Mind: 1 :)
    Especially in Michigan: 1 :)
    Warlocks: 1 :)
    C’mon Girl: 0.5
    Wet Sand: 1 :)
    Hey: 1
    Desecration Smile: 1 :)
    Tell Me Baby: 1 :)
    Hard to Concentrate: 1
    21st Century: 0.75
    She Looks to Me: 1 :)
    Readymade: 0.75
    If: 1
    Make You Feel Better: 1
    Animal Bar: 0.5
    So Much I: 1 :)
    Storm in a Teacup: 1 :)
    We Believe: 0.75
    Turn It Again: 1 :)
    Death of a Martian: 1

    25.5/28 ~ .911 -> 8.30

    Stadium Arcadium is by far the best Red Hot Chili Peppers album, earning 5 stars. I had an amazing time listening to it, as it was more exciting and consistent than albums like By the Way and less plagued by the hit-or-miss syndrome that albums like Blood Sugar Sex Magik were victim to. Before listening to this album, I was kind of scared that this would be an album “too chill” for the Chili Peppers, but I was delightfully proven wrong. The album is full of jamming drum beats, creative guitar lines and effects, and beautiful slap bass. The lyrics in general are also much better than what I was anticipating. Red Hot Chili Peppers truly knocked it out of the park with this one, and this fantastic album starts with four winners right off the bat. Going into it, I had already heard Dani California, Snow, and Wet Sand, so I knew I would like those songs. Since my full review is 11,000 characters long, I was forced to cut my song-by-song commentary to fit within the character limit. In general, Stadium Arcadium definitely deserves the 5-star review I give it. I takes everything good about Blood Sugar Sex Magik, Californication, and By the Way and smushes it all into one great extended album. The length of this album was a lot (at more than 2 hours), but so many of these songs are so good that I didn’t care what its length was. Having 15 amazing songs within an album of 28 is no easy task, yet Red Hot Chili Peppers definitely accomplished that, in their best album yet. This is the Red Hot Chili Peppers I know. Before Stadium Arcadium, I could never give a RHCP album 5 stars, but this one truly earned it. It is everything I love about them put into 28 great tracks. I will definitely be saving a majority of Stadium Arcadium’s tracks and I cannot wait to listen to I’m With You. Fans of Red Hot Chili Peppers will love this album, as well will lots of fans of good quality rock music. Highlights: Dani California, Snow, Charlie, Stadium Arcadium, She’s Only 18, Strip My Mind, Only in Michigan, Warlocks, Wet Sand, Hey, Desecration Smile, Tell Me Baby, Hard to Concentrate, She Looks to Me, If, Make You Feel Better, So Much I, Storm in a Teacup, Turn It Again, and Death of a Martian.    … Expand
  4. ceshe83
    Apr 14, 2020
    9
    Stadium Arcadium is a vast pop/alternative/funk opus that hits on nearly every song. Snow is an infectious alternative anthem with an absolutely hypnotizing guitar riff from Frusciante. Frusciante shines again with an astounding solo at the end of Wet Sand, some of his best work in his all-time great catalog. Flea delivers energetic bass loops on nearly every track, sometimes wheelieStadium Arcadium is a vast pop/alternative/funk opus that hits on nearly every song. Snow is an infectious alternative anthem with an absolutely hypnotizing guitar riff from Frusciante. Frusciante shines again with an astounding solo at the end of Wet Sand, some of his best work in his all-time great catalog. Flea delivers energetic bass loops on nearly every track, sometimes wheelie popping just for fun, for example, at the end of Charlie. Kiedis's songwriting is touchingly reflective and philosophical as he forges heartening love ballads on songs like Hard to Concentrate. Despite its length (28 tracks), Stadium Arcadium flows seamlessly with nearly no fillers. Each song possesses its own character and energy and works to create a sprawling, immersive, multi-dimensional experience.

    Score: 9.5/10

    Fav track(s): Damn near all of em
    Least fav track(s): Storm in a Teacup    … Expand
  5. Rakendroll
    Mar 8, 2020
    10
    I can thank my thesis to this album, I was listening to these tracks back the way when I wrote it. RHCP simply one of the best bands nowadays.
  6. KurkoBein
    Nov 3, 2019
    10
    Best RHCP album. Solid. Funky. Senseful. Dancelicious. Only true fans know this and it is obvious why...
  7. MysticManiac
    Oct 12, 2018
    6
    Idk, it's okay. Most of the tracks are fine but some are just boring. There are some good highlights though like the opening Snow (Hey Oh) and Dani California. This is the only RHCP album I've heard so far so idk if they have any better ones
  8. pinkenigma
    Oct 3, 2017
    10
    I love both Mars and Jupiter. RHCP is always creative in the compositions, however this album evidences this in a very special way that changed my life.
  9. jontybanks98
    Mar 26, 2017
    8
    I can imagine that the release of a 28-song album would've got Red Hot Chili Peppers fans absolutely hyped. Despite there being so many songs, the album is surprisingly consistent. Very impressive as a whole!
  10. DevinEYounanian
    Aug 20, 2016
    10
    This is the album that got me into rock music and to playing guitar! The guitar is incredible here as well as the song writing . The songs that standout to me were Readymade, Snow, Wet Sand, Turn it Again, Dani California and Torture Me. Not a single song I didn't enjoy!
  11. AadityaW65
    Jul 12, 2015
    6
    I am an ultimate RHCP fan. I have heard almost their entire discography. I would never, ever diss them if it wasn't required. Yet, I find myself doing so right now. I have a lot of complaints. Why is this album so long? Why do some of the songs sound so boring that I can tell that they were formed a very lazy jam (even though I know that most of their songs are, these ones sound like theyI am an ultimate RHCP fan. I have heard almost their entire discography. I would never, ever diss them if it wasn't required. Yet, I find myself doing so right now. I have a lot of complaints. Why is this album so long? Why do some of the songs sound so boring that I can tell that they were formed a very lazy jam (even though I know that most of their songs are, these ones sound like they are)? Why is Anthony's voice so monotonous for a good part of the album? The first half was good. The second half was "meh" beyond belief. With lyrics like "There's a reason for the 21st century Not too sure but I know that it's meant to be", the second half had me almost dying. Okay, maybe Tell Me Baby and Storm In A Teacup weren't that bad, but that ends it. So many of those songs just sounded so generic, in their progression, chord structure, everything. I preferred By The Way to this.

    Best Song: Hump de Bump (funk overload, hell yeah)
    Worst Song: She Looks To Me (what were they thinking?)    … Expand
  12. SillyClassyNerd
    Sep 29, 2014
    10
    Stadium Arcadium is the Red Hot Chili Peppers essence, snatching everything with critical, sexual and descriptive lycris from our lovely California, the funky lords, the funky legends, the funky heroes, Red Hot Chili Peppers just won me, again, masterpiece album.
  13. PHJ
    Sep 25, 2014
    9
    Superb from Dani California to Hey, Stadium Arcadium is one of the (if no the) best album that RHCP ever made, with creative lyrics combined with a great funky rhythm, Stadium Arcadium is an easy 9/10 album.
  14. BrianDiAl
    Dec 30, 2013
    9
    28 Tracks, they got the quality and the quantity. I like the album because every one ine the band is in a good situation, no hard drugs or other. And I felt that because of that the produced an album of great quality.
  15. AlekhyaDas
    Nov 26, 2013
    10
    haters please buzz off !!
    simply amazing track :)
    Red Hot Chili Peppers _/_ Stadium Arcadium was pretty good. I mean, I bought this when it came out. It wasn't one of their best works due to the fact they went a little soft in this album. I mean, they played the softness pretty well I believe in "Californication", but that is it I believe. I just think they should get back to making    haters please buzz off !!
    simply amazing track :)
    Red Hot Chili Peppers _/_
    Stadium Arcadium was pretty good. I mean, I bought this when it came out. It wasn't one of their best works due to the fact they went a little soft in this album. I mean, they played the softness pretty well I believe in "Californication", but that is it I believe. I just think they should get back to making music that was like Blood Sugar Sex Magik. That album was AMAZING     … Expand
  16. PitchforkSucks
    Nov 15, 2013
    10
    One of the greatest displays of guitar work ever. To me, the lyrics are way underrated and the long album is just what the Chilis needed. A great album for John to leave on.
  17. RobertN
    Jul 15, 2013
    7
    An underrated album for sure. Although not every song on the album is perfect (or at all good), it makes up for it with amazing and memorable songs which are sure to become some of your favourites.
  18. Squidibly
    May 28, 2013
    10
    The Red Hot Chili Peppers a band that has managed to make great Rock n Roll music since the 80's. This is one of the few bands to make it big in the 90's and continue to make beautiful music in the 2000's. Making a two disc album isn't that common but it does happen and when it does it's very hard to make the whole thing a masterpiece but that is not the case with this record. StadiumThe Red Hot Chili Peppers a band that has managed to make great Rock n Roll music since the 80's. This is one of the few bands to make it big in the 90's and continue to make beautiful music in the 2000's. Making a two disc album isn't that common but it does happen and when it does it's very hard to make the whole thing a masterpiece but that is not the case with this record. Stadium Arcadium is an album with 28 perfect songs. It's obvious that all four of the Chili Peppers know what their doing when it comes to making music. I don't need to go into a song analysis because i truly love each and every song on this album. I don't care who you are if you have yet to listen to this masterpiece you are making a huge mistake. I give Red Hot Chili Peppers "Stadium Arcadium" a perfect 10 out of 10… Expand
  19. foowombats
    Dec 10, 2012
    10
    This is a very ambitious project from the Red hot chili peppers. A 28 track album! And they pull it off, so well! Being only 18, Stadium was my first experience of the Chili Peppers. And it was so massive and awesome, I thought it was a best of album. I love almost all of the songs in this sprawling metropolis of Alternative rock/Funk rock. My personal favourites are Dany California, Snow,This is a very ambitious project from the Red hot chili peppers. A 28 track album! And they pull it off, so well! Being only 18, Stadium was my first experience of the Chili Peppers. And it was so massive and awesome, I thought it was a best of album. I love almost all of the songs in this sprawling metropolis of Alternative rock/Funk rock. My personal favourites are Dany California, Snow, Hump de bump, slow cheetah, especially in Michigan, Tell me baby, Readymade and Storm in a teacup. Yeah...there are a lot of good songs. Charlie is the only song I don't like, and I'm sure that is just personal taste. I recommend this album to anyone, it's certainly in the top 20 albums in history.… Expand
  20. LetzTalkMoveez
    Oct 21, 2012
    6
    It's psychedelic, bass-slappin' magic on "Arcadium", a Chili Peppers album that highlights the band's instrumental talents, but unfortunately also highlights Kiedis' degrading skills as a lyricist.
  21. sonjo18
    Aug 7, 2012
    10
    I don't care what anyone says, I hail this album as the best album of all time. It has so many songs on it and they all are great. Usually albums have 15-18 songs and 2,3 maybe 4 are good. Stadium Arcadium has 28 songs and they all are great.
  22. skyminster
    May 20, 2012
    10
    Stadium arcadium is an awesome album, it's the best red hot chili peppers album ever! The first disk is probably better than the second disk. Disk 1: 11/10. Disk 2: 10/10. Overall as an album: 10/10. If you like red hot chili peppers, either get this album or listen to it!
  23. Ricko
    Apr 11, 2012
    5
    If you took the best 12 or 13 songs from this sprawling double record, you'd still have a pretty dull, funk rock affair. There are half a dozen good songs, another half dozen average songs and over a dozen tracks that just act as filler. That's way too much filler by anyone's standards. Dani California is very good but very little to like apart from that.
  24. Vampire25
    Mar 31, 2012
    10
    Stadium Arcadium is a musical triumph for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. it's their most creative album they've ever put out. Each track stands out. It's their best album to date and they probably will never make an album better than it. A
  25. Santi_RHCP
    Mar 15, 2012
    10
    Their best album up to date. A total masterpiece. It will be really hard for them to make another disc as good as this one. This is the reason i fell in love with RHCP
  26. TTW107
    Feb 14, 2012
    7
    I love the whole album, but the thing is, I love almost every other Red Hot Chili Peppers album more than this one. My go to songs are She's Only 18 and Wet Sand!
  27. Happymonk
    Dec 9, 2011
    10
    No. This isn't perfect, but so many of the songs on the album are genius. At least 18 out of the monumental 28 tracks are some of their best. But the rest are still great. There are a few Meh tracks, which are mostly found on the second half of the record, but this doesn't really detract from the overall feel and awesomeness of the album. I'd give the first half a 11/10 and the second anNo. This isn't perfect, but so many of the songs on the album are genius. At least 18 out of the monumental 28 tracks are some of their best. But the rest are still great. There are a few Meh tracks, which are mostly found on the second half of the record, but this doesn't really detract from the overall feel and awesomeness of the album. I'd give the first half a 11/10 and the second an 8/10, but you have to understand that the first half is quite simply amazing. It's probably not even the best album they've created (that probably goes to Californication), but because so many of the songs are so excellent it deserves a 10.… Expand
  28. j30
    Aug 11, 2011
    9
    This might be their best album to date. The only reason I don't give this a 10 is that I think they could do much better. Now that they've perfected their sound I'd like to see them branch out a bit more. This is one of those CD's you put in your car and never take out. It has that infinite repeat ability which is hard to accomplish. I love this album, if you like the RHCP'sThis might be their best album to date. The only reason I don't give this a 10 is that I think they could do much better. Now that they've perfected their sound I'd like to see them branch out a bit more. This is one of those CD's you put in your car and never take out. It has that infinite repeat ability which is hard to accomplish. I love this album, if you like the RHCP's Californication you'll love this one.… Expand
  29. Funland
    Aug 9, 2011
    5
    One theory as to why this album experienced such a positive reception: it took the sound that the RHCP fans hold dear (the distinctly "RHCP" sound) and made it dull enough for the mainstream. And since the "Chili Pepper sound" was not completely absent from the album (just devoid of authenticity), the mainstream crowd could claim credit for listening to something that is "different" andOne theory as to why this album experienced such a positive reception: it took the sound that the RHCP fans hold dear (the distinctly "RHCP" sound) and made it dull enough for the mainstream. And since the "Chili Pepper sound" was not completely absent from the album (just devoid of authenticity), the mainstream crowd could claim credit for listening to something that is "different" and "unique." That way, the hardcore fans *and* the pop kids could both go home feeling smug about their embrace of the 2006-era Red Hot Chili Peppers. To the observer who is familiar with the music of RHCP, Stadium Arcadium is by and large not a move of genuine artistic expression, but of shrewd, vapid calculation and over-reliance on formula. Now, since slightly less than half the songs on the album are actually enjoyable and/or stimulating to varying degrees, I gave the album a score of slightly less than half of the highest possible number of points it could have earned, and rounded up to 5 since metacritic's scoring system doesn't allow for issuing tenths of a point. It's perfectly fair. For this album, the best thing to do is download the album's strongest tracks ("Dani California," "Stadium Arcadium," "She's Only 18," "Torture Me," "Tell Me Baby," "She Looks To Me," "Readymade," "Storm In A Teacup," and "Turn It Again") and forget the rest of the album, which lacks the spontaneity of albums like BloodSugerSexMagik and Californication and settles for going nowhere interesting.… Expand
  30. Joross
    Apr 21, 2011
    10
    Honestly, this is probably my favorite album of all time, coming from one of my favorite bands of all time.
    Almost every song of the 28 is an instant classic to me.
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Most Discussed Album of 2006
10
#10 Most Shared Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 25
  3. Negative: 1 out of 25
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Stadium Arcadium ensures that graying Lollapalooza-era fans, indie teens, and rowdy lunkheads will all be satisfied.
    Read full review
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    Somewhere along the line the Chilis got sophisticated on our asses.
    Read full review
  3. NOW Magazine
    60
    Frusciante's guitar work... almost single-handedly saves the project, but not quite.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »