5 comments about Greatest Hits.

1. The Chili's second major 'Hits' album covers the band's most commercially successful period, and does a reasonable job of collecting the hits from 'Blood Sugar..' to 'By The Way'. This is probably good enough for casual fans, but more serious Chili enthusiasts should note that nothing from the band's first four ablums is here except their cover of 'Higher Ground'. Those interested in the early Chili's heavier, funkier sound need to seek out the first collection 'What Hits?!'
   
   As might be expected, the collection is dominated by the mega-selling 'Blood Sugar..' and 'Californication'. Obvious inclusions such as 'Give It Away', 'Suck My Kiss', 'Breaking The Girl', 'Under The Bridge', 'Californication', 'Otherside', 'Road Trippin' and 'Scar Tissue' are here....these are all outstanding examples of the Chili's rock/rap/pop sound. The non-album track 'Soul To Squeeze' and new track 'Fortune Faded' are other great songs. But surely 'Around The World' deserves to be here more than 'Parallel Universe'? It would have been nice to have included a few more songs from 'By The Way' as well, particularly 'Zephyr Song' and 'Can't Stop'. And why is 'My Friends' the only inclusion from 'One Hot Minute'? I know the band is determined to airbrush that album out of history, but so what? Greatest Hits albums are for the fans, not the band. At least one of 'Warped' and 'Aeroplane' (if not both) deserves a place here.
   
   In a way, the album is a victim of the Chili's own success: 16 songs (14 if you exclude the inevitable Two New Songs) just aren't enough to do justice to the number of hits the band had. With several of the hits missing, there's obviously no room for fan favourites or popular album tracks here, either. It might have been a better idea to release a double album, include all the aforementioned singles, plus a couple of rare cult favourites or popular B-sides as something for the die-hard fans.
   
   Still, as it is, it's a pretty good collection. It's certainly a good place to start for casual fans who just want the FM radio "hits". Just be aware that there is much more to the Chili's than this, and you should take the time to explore their individual albums as well.



2. it doesn't have "by the way" or "around the world", so if you just like those two songs (and i don't know why you would like just those two songs) don't buy this cd, but i do recommend buying it though



3. Most definatly listen to this garbage before buying anything by this band. Annoying pop rock garbage with stupid lyrics.....horrid band.



4. I'm from L.A., and I remember (probably in the late 70's/80's) when RHCP was a local band playing many LA/Hollywood venues frequently. I remember them (and Fishbone) forever in the LA Weekly. This CD - I agree - so many good songs! A masterpiece. So talented!



5. i have really enjoyed watching this band evolve over the past 20 or so years, enjoying there music in my teens and exploring it further in my early twenties, it has lead me into interesting explorations always enjoy the lyrics which often have far more historical referrance than is easily recognized. I highly recommend the Greatest Hits CD with Under The Bridge as the first song.

5 comments about Stadium Arcadium.

1. I'm a 50-year-old man who still thinks the music made by bands such as MC5, Stooges, Trooper, Montrose, Humble Pie, Mandrill, Brick, Kleeer, and Lakeside will never be topped as far as hard rock and punk funk goes, and I received this album as a Xmas gift from my 23-year-old daughter, who still thinks she can teach an old dog some new tricks. I have no interest in inserting myself into the raging debate about whether this album represents a return, a departure, or a further slide for the RHCP. I'm only here to say one thing: "She's Only 18" is the best song I've heard in a long, long time. It's playful, raunchy, rockin', euphoric, and big-hearted all at once. The slinky little eye-fluttery wawaaing guitar riff mirroring the vocals on the verses shows perfect restraint, setting up the power chords of the chorus. Brilliant.



2. The Red Hot Chili Peppers are one of my favorite rock bands ever and are certainly one of the most inspirational. But I never listened to their music until CALIFORNICATION arrived. John Frusciante had just gotten back on the band but I did not know that before. I proceeded to work backwards and found BLOOD SUGAR SEX MAGIK and ONE HOT MINUTE. Hearing those two albums made me see a whole new side to the band that I have previously missed. I saw a new era, felt a new feel and witnessed a new manifesto. Over time, these two albums, along with CALIFORNICATION, became my favorite records.
   
   Add STADIUM ARCADIUM to the list. This double album follows up the disappointing BY THE WAY, which I felt to be underwhelming, and looks to follow it.
   
   But hearing it once through, I found it to be vastly better. The songs felt fresher and the melodies were strong and consistent throughout, which wasn't the case with BY THE WAY. From the vibrant, Hendrix-inspired DANI CALIFORNIA to the softer, downbeat song DEATH OF A MARTIAN, the underlying intensity of the band never let up. There were a good variety of tempos but there was a consistent polish and feel to the songs, making this a much superior album as a whole. This showed that the band didn't just mail it in; they put their whole heart in this time.
   
   This album also felt substantial. Two discs of 14 songs each, there was never any doubt as to the quantity this album brings. This is a first for the band, having never released a double album before. Add the fact that all these songs, even the latter ones, are all good; the fans are in for a treat. STADIUM ARCADIUM doesn't feel draggy or long at all; the sequence of the songs varies well from the up-tempo tracks to the slow ones.
   
   John Frusciante's guitar prowess sounds like it has reached a new height here. Long-time fans, especially those who loved BLOOD SUGAR SEX MAGIK, will know how far his skill has seen a tremendous rate of improvement over the years. Here, his solos sound more complex and fuller than in previous albums, including CALIFORNICATION, while still retaining much of the emotion and virtuosity of his play. It is his tunes that drive the melodies forward, giving the album an energy and personality few other albums in the industry attain. STADIUM ARCADIUM has a very spacey theme to it and it is John's selection of scales and notes that have helped achieve that effect.
   
   Anthony's vocals here have also reached a new height as well. One could easily hear the expansion of his range in all of the songs. He does a terrific job producing a hip-hop style for HUMP DE BUMP and an equally sublime job on the futuristic STADIUM ARCADIUM. There is power in his voice and this lends a central soul to the music.
   
   Flea's bass has always given their albums a crucial foundation to that soul and his masterful sequences here are no exception. He has always accompanied well with John's guitar and here it takes a whole new form and maturity. Just when you thought they couldn't have thumped their previous efforts they did it here.
   
   The beat that has been constant throughout much of their music remains to be Chad's. He doesn't tamper much with the formula that has been a trademark for much of his career. He doesn't have outrageous drum solos nor does he have the most complex of rhythms but his laid back, yet consistent, style has contributed to the catchiness of the songs.
   
   Together, they have created something that's catchy and colorful, a bumper album with an appropriately given intergalactic theme. If you are into funk rock, you will find lots to tide you over here. In terms of sustained quality, production values, storytelling lyricism and invention, this album certainly ranks up there with my favorite rock albums of the decade and one of my favorite Red Hot Chili Peppers' albums of all time.



3. I'm not a die-hard fan of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and was a bit skeptical at first to buy a 2 disc cd set. I just had to have the song "Snow" and after listening to the music sampler I decided to give "Stadium Arcadium" a chance. Sure am glad I did!!! I'll listen to both cd's without skipping a song. I highly recommend adding this cd to your collection.



4. The Red Hot Chili Peppers are again creating compelling music with a good beat, sharp catchy lyrics and involving structures. While nothing comes close to their 1994 Blood Sugar Sex Magic record (one of the best rock albums of all time IMHO), this is another winner from the band. Along with "by the way", their previous release, RHCP have shown they are back in top form. a Must have



5. After the woeful disappointment that was "By The Way" an album so terrible that Flea almost left the band because of it, RHCP returned triumphantly with enough truly rocking tunes to make any open-minded (as in not resigned to "Blood Sugar" is the best-ever-period-no-matter-what-before-i-even-listen-to-this-album) Peppers' fan jump for joy. I would list all the great tracks here, but it's easier to list the not great ones in this 28-track blistering CLASSIC.
   "Dani California" sucks, "Snow" is ultra-repetitive, "Animal Bar" is slow and lame. "Tell me Baby" is just ok, funky yes, but plug-and-chug repetitive. But really, that's about it, and you have to expect a couple of less-than-stellar tracks following an album as awful as "By the Way." The other 24 tracks pretty much rock, and some of them are among the Chili Peppers' greatest. As far as this RHCP fan is concerned this is a RHCP CLASSIC. It's definelty up there with "Freaky Styley," "Mother's Milk," "Blood Sugar Sex Magic," and my personal fav "Californication." In fact, after "By the Way" was not the successor to "Californication" I'd hoped it would be, "Stadium Arcadium" is. If you're an RHCP fan who just can't let go of "they haven't done anything as-good-as BSSM since 1991" my response would be that the Chili Peppers have grown up, and you should too.

5 comments about Californication.

1. Starting off with squalling guitars and Anthony Keidis letting loose a banshee wail, he soon launches into the first verse. Belting out "Romping and stomping 'cause I'm in my prime" with the band in full bore behind him, you can tell that, this time, they mean it. "Californiacation" was the sound of a band that was now mature but not mellowed.
   
   John Frusciante, who'd left the band for the "One Hot Minute" album, had cleaned up and returned to the fold, and his presence is immediately felt. RHCP are in lock-step with their punk-funk rock and roll heyday, and Frusciante is the guitar gasoline to their Flea and Chad Smith's bass and drum spark-plugs. "Around The World," "Get On Top" and "I Like Dirt" pound like the band's best, while "Otherside," "Emit Remmus" and the title track boast mature songwriting.
   
   The apex of the band's new growth comes at the end of the album. Comprised mostly of Frusciante's acoustic guitar and an unusually soulful vocal by Keidis, "Road Trippin'" is smooth and clean, a statement that not only applied to the music, but to the players themselves. Like "Knock Me Down," "Under The Bridge" and Californication's "Scar Tissue," "Road Trippin'" contemplates the RHCP past while making good on a future of creativity. I played this song over and over at the end of 1999, because it made me think that the path to the new century might be a bright one. For the Peppers, it was a way to say goodbye to a decade with one of their best albums.



2. The Chili Peppers light up the studio again on Californication. One of the few CD's I learn something new every time I listen.



3. A companion album to '91's "BloodSugarSexMagik", effectively wiping out their mid-90's album "One Hot Minute", which tanked commercially and critically. Certainly John Frusciante's return is a major factor in this album's success, as is Rick Rubin's consistent production. My one reservation is that the record is front-loaded: all the singles and strongest tracks appear at the beginning of the disc. Still, a solid alterna-rock album and one of their best so far, although not quite the classic that "BloodSugar" was.



4. After the lacklustre 'One Hot Minute', the Chili Peppers got their mojo back in the best possible way with 'Californication'; their best and most consistent album. Most people credit the return of John Frusciante for the turnaround, and it's true he makes a big difference. Frusciante displays a surpising range of influences, varying his playing from metallic shredding to tender, melodic solo work. His diversity comes as a welcome change from the rather stiff Dave Navarro, whose style just wasn't suited to the band.
   
   However, the remainder of the band have improved their approach as well. Anthony Kiedis' singing is much stronger, and there are some surprisingly strong backup vocals and harmonies on many tracks. Also, Kiedis' lyrics are a bit more thoughtful and emotional than before. And the band in general have re-thought their whole approach, clearly realising that the rather ham-fisted experimentation of 'One Hot Minute' was a dead end. On the surface, they seem to return to the sound of 'Blood, Sugar...', but there is a clear development and maturity on display here, and some subtle twists and turns that work surprisingly well.
   
   Basically there are four different styles on the album:
   
   1) The old-school rap/funk/rock Peppers sound ('Around The World', 'Get On Top', 'Emit Remmus', 'I Like Dirt', 'Purple Stain', and 'Ride On Time'): A clear return to their early sound, but these songs are all given slightly different moods and feels. The frenetic 'Ride On Time' is different from the rock-oriented 'Emit Remmus', which is different again from the sexy/funky 'Purple Stain'. Reflecting the band's increased maturity, these songs are much more melodic than similar tracks from 'Blood, Sugar...'.
   
   2) Mellow ballads ('Otherside', 'Porcelain', 'Road Trippin', 'Californication'): these are all strong songs, and work much better than 'My Friends', for example. Again, there are different feels to each of these; compare the intensity of 'Otherside' versus the very restrained 'Procelain'.
   
   3) The mid-tempo songs with a more pop/rock influence ('Scar Tissue', 'Easily', 'This Velvet Glove'): really strong hooks and melodies in these songs. 'Scar Tissue' was a deserved hit, and the other two songs are hidden gems of the album.
   
   4) While the band have basically airbrushed 'One Hot Minute' out of their history, hints of that album's sound are evident in the straightforward hard rock of 'Parallel Universe' and the vaguely prog-rock 'Saviour', with its shifting moods and tempos.
   
   And everything works. The band sound equally comfortable on everything from the most frantic rap/metal to the tenderest ballads. There are literally no weak songs or awkward moments to be heard here. If you wanted to be really picky, you could argue that 'Porcelain' is a bit under-developed, and 'Ride On Time' something of a throwaway, but that's all. It's pretty much the perfect album, and it fits together well considering the diversity of the individual tracks.
   
   With 'Californication', the Chili Peppers reminded everyone why they were one of the best rock bands of the 90's. The album also looks forward to the more sophisticated direction of 'By The Way'. This is simply one of the best albums of the decade, and is an essential purchase.



5. Everything that's worth listening to again and again is on their greatest hits, 4 or 5 great tracks on this album but others aren't worth listening to again.

5 comments about Blood Sugar Sex Magik.

1. I've seen Red Hot Chili Peppers music videos for a long time, and finally I decided to buy my first studio album from them. This is it. I have to say I like their music. It's different from others. Some songs on this album remind me of Pearl Jam but I guess they were later... Well, what can you say about the album..."Breaking the Girl", "Suck My Kiss", "Give It Away", and "Under the Bridge" are the best-known songs from this album. This 74-minute long album is still too long for my taste. I like some long albums like Led Zeppelin's "Physical Graffiti" and Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Jesus Christ Superstar" but this is almost the same idea for the whole album and it is quite frustarating. However, there are actually no bad songs on this albums. "If You Have to Ask" and "Funky Monks" are the funniest songs on this album. The last song "They're Red Hot" is maybe the worst song on the album. It is fast and nonesense. Although the title track sounds great, and the whole album was unique on its time, Its difficult the listen to this album through with one time.
   Stars: Suck My Kiss, Under the Bridge, Give It Away



2. Awesome cd I don't know what happened to RHCP's!! They've turned weak in their old age!! No more kick ass music. Now they're soft corporate sweet music stuff like Jim Croce and stuff. Too bad.



3. Unlike later efforts, Rubin actually did streamline all the Chili Pepper's flavorful funk-rock divisions into a most cohesive effort to date, even with light latter-half repetition.



4. This is one of the best pop albums produced in the 90's. "Give It Away", "Under the Bridge", and "Breaking the Girl" are all enormously popular radio anthems by now, but every single song on this CD is great. This album has an energetic yet layered sound which draws you in . If you want some hard-hitting songs, try "The Greeting Song" or "Give It Away". If you want some songs you can just sit back and listen to, try "Breaking The Girl" or "I Could Have Lied". This album is definately RED HOT CHILI-PEPPERS best.



5. This album is pure joy, moment by moment, from start to finish. I don't think there's a lacklustre second on the whole album. When I first heard this I was about 13 or 14, and just getting into guitar. I can honestly say that if I hadn't heard this album my life would have been very different.
   
   The energy that the musicians manage to get onto this album is astounding.
   
   Of all the music that the Chili Peppers have done over the years, I think this album is the one that defined the band. Up to this point they were musos that were really into funk and being silly, without depth to their songs. After this point they seem confused and addled by their own success, and have tried to carry the flame that burned so bright on this album for another (nearly) two decades after it was a natural statement. On this album, there is a convergence of forces that is truly rare and extremely special. Things like this don't happen very often.

5 comments about Greatest Hits.

1. Perfect new album, delivered on time. All the greatest hits of Lenny. Price wasn't bad either. What more could you ask for?



2. Great price, fast shipment, and Cd in condition as described. I recommend this seller, no complaints!



3. The cd I ordered came in great condition and at the time it was promised. I'd definitely shop with this seller again.



4. He has a great voice and his lyrics are captivating. This CD will never get old.



5. From the beginning, Lenny Kravitz has been an enigma. He's a rock star with streamers in so many gene pools that his songs were often surprise packages of whom he'd be this year. He's a man with a soul obsession with Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye, the idealistic rocker that worships John Lennon and Led Zepplin, and the modern pop rock desires that would have him emulate Prince and work with Madonna. He also plays guitar with a Hendrixian flair. Scope that over a decade's worth of music, and you get the culmination of tracks that compose Kravitz' Greatest Hits.
   
   Kravitz' crazy-quilt of style is a music fan's delight. From his early Beatles hommage "Let Love Rule" to the Princely message funk of "Mr Cab Driver," Kravitz made an audacious debut on Let Love Rule. He came off as a one man flower-child, which made the sudden left-turn into the easy grooving Mama Said shocking. But the Curtis Mayfield hit "It Ain't Over Till It's Over" pushed Kravitz into hitmaker territory. At the same time, those rock instincts were pushing the envelope as Guns and Roses guitar slinger Slash co-wrote "Always On The Run."
   
   As he came more and more into his own voice, Kravitz aimed for the stadium bleachers and scored when the Hendrix styled "Are You Gonna Go My Way" became a mammoth rock radio hit and a retro-video smash. The insistently classic rock loaded Are You Gonna Go My Way album remains his most consistent album, but it was the followup, Circus, that gave Kravitz his first top ten album. This time, the Zep influence howls from "Rock and Roll Is Dead." But is was also where Kravitz lost focus, which is indicated by the fact that only two songs from that album are included here.
   
   Kravitz took a four year break, cut his hair, trimmed his musical excesses, and came back with 5. Focused and less dependant on retro-rocking, the slow build of "Fly Away" and the killer remake of "American Woman" (which was featured in "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me") captured an artist at the peak of maturity and prowess. "Black Velveteen" returns full-circle to his Prince fascination. It wraps up Kravitz first decade, along with a powerful new song "Again."
   
   As collections go, it serves its subject well. Lenny Kravitz' classic rock identity crisis made for fascinating musical evolution before finally resolving itself. Given that his career since has held steady (Lenny to the recent It Is Time For A Love Revolution), Volume Two will probably just as solid as this best of.

5 comments about By the Way.

1. This album has just the right combination of deep and meaningful songs, songs about drugs and death, and more upbeat songs. The album is like a roller coaster of emotion. And you can tell that Anthony Kiedis went through a breakup during the writing of this album. My favorite song is "Can't Stop". It makes me feel motivated and upbeat. The whole album is fantastic, and I would love to see how the Chili Peppers top this.



2. If I was stranded on an island for the rest of my life all I would need is food and this "By The Way" CD... I am guy who likes music in all its different forms, and I have come to the conclusion that this album is the most PERFECT album ever made.
   My love for this album cannot be described in words, but the feeling I get from listening to every one of these tracks is just amazing. I like all of their albums, but this one is just, just.... PERFECTION.
   
   It makes me sick to think that some people could say that in this album they lost their "funk" or whatever. Anyone who would say this just doesn't understand what the chili peppers are about.
   
   This is the only album which I have listened for over 10 years and I'm still not tired of (I just appreciate it more and more)
   
   BUY THIS ALBUM



3. They sing. They croon. They harmonize. "By the Way" is the most musically-accomplished LP yet from the Chilis, revealing subtleties and even a certain sweetness heretofore unheard of from these often-naked fratboys. The funk is still there, although this time tamed (perhaps a bit too much for longtime fans), and the musical palette widens to include country-rock, Beatle-esque harmonies, and an overall feeling of intimacy and relaxed studio discipline.



4. By the Way being RHCP's 2002 release and their 8th studio album was met with positive reviews from the critiques with Allmusic, Rolling Stone and Q giving it 4/5. The album spawned 5 singles. These being "By the Way", "The Zephyr Song", "Can't Stop", "Dosed" and "Universally Speaking". The booklet is a mixed bag. It has some all the lyrics and but not a list of whom plays what. The photographs of the band is great but the font is so so. The cover makes no sense and I have no idea what they want to convey with this. 4/5.



5. Highlights from this album are ONLY "On Mercury," "Can't Stop," and "The Zephyr Song". Most disappointing follow-up album EVER. Only the "One Hot Minute" album is worse in the RHCP catalog. Read Kiedis' autobiography- Flea almost left the band because this album sucked so INCREDIBLY bad. If you want solid RHCP, check out Freaky Styley, Mother's Milk, Blood Sugar Sex Magic, Californication, or Stadium Arcadium. Anyone who equates By The Way with ANY of these albums or somehow thinks it is pffffff (HA!) better than any of these albums is a complete Idiot and ought to be dragged out into the street and shot.

5 comments about 40 Oz. to Freedom.

1. This album is basically everything Sublime stood for in 1 record. It best sums them up. Just get it.



2. product arrived quickly. Was not in proper cd holder just in generic holder so no cover art or lyrics. cd was pretty well worn too.



3. By far the best album ever put out by sublime. Good mix of Ska, Reggae, and Punk Rock. Catchy bass rifts with awesome guitar solos. If your just starting to get into Sublime I would recommend this as a good album to start with, even more than their Greatest Hits album.



4. 3 1/2
   
   Definitely one of those adolescent classics that helps through high school, this potential adult classic is sidetracked by some repetitious fatty compositions that could have been trimmed. Still, the amount and variety with which Sublime debuted their reggae-rock-ska-rap sound still shines through on the majority of this debut, undoubtedly signifying the oncoming of a special talent that was sadly extinguished way too soon.



5. Quick fast and awesome thanx a lot u have no idea how hard it was finding this item

5 comments about Make Yourself.

1. Bush - Sixteen Stone
   Rage Against The Machine - Rage Against The Machine
   Pearl Jam - VS and Ten
   
   Meet your match. This is one of the best cds I have ever listened to. I have had it for years, but wanted to put in a review as it is still on my top 10 albums of all time.
   
   Realistically, it is in my Top 5 and probably top 3. If you like alternative and hate structure, this cd is the stuff, just like 16 Stone.



2. A truthful album name, as Incubus made one of those quantum shifts groups rarely repeat with their third proper, an exquisitely produced mesh of soft and hard which posed Boyd and Einziger as one of modern rock's great pairs. They would go on to write even better songs, though never top this momentous album flow which made them.



3. Over the years, Incubus has put out such classics as "S.C.I.E.N.C.E.", "Morning View", and this album, "Make Yourself". These albums have come to show us that not only is Incubus able to reach out to a large audience, but they are able to play the music they want to get that audience. Even while the band has several songs that have been Top 40 smashes, oddly enough, they've been playing the music that comes straight from their heart, playing sincere, real music that makes them happy, and also makes a huge amount of people around the world happy.
   
   You could say a lot of bands sound similar to Incubus, such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Korn and even Disturbed, but Incubus truly has a sound of their own, which they prove to you on "Make Yourself". And not only are Incubus able to create their own sound, but at the same time, they seem to master their own brand of music on this album. Here's a run-through of the standout tracks:
   "Priviledge": A funky, heavy guitar riff plays its way over a solid drumbeat throughout, and Brandon belts out his always great lyrics in his always great voice. This songs starts the album off on a very good note.
   "Stellar": One of the biggest songs off the album, and one of Incubus's most well-known songs. Experimental turntable noises and Brandon's amazing voice start this song off before going into a beautiful, hypnotic guitar riff. The verses here are soft, spacy and very beautiful, and the chorus kicks it up a few notches with a hard-rock riff and more powerful vocals. Such great lyrics as "Meet me in outer space/ We could spend a night, watch the Earth come up", or "Meet me in outer space/ I will hold you close if you're afraid of heights", will make their way to countless teenager's Myspace and Facebook statuses.
   "Make Yourself": The title track that definitely deserves to be given the name, "Make Yourself" combines more great guitar riffs, heavy drumbeats, nice melodies, great lyrics and a shout-a-long bridge into a classic, three-minute intelligent rocker.
   "Drive": A sweet, acoustic guitar drives this song (no pun intended), and Brandon brings out some of his best lyrics and vocals around. The chorus is very catchy and hopeful, "Whatever tomorrow brings I'll be there/ With open arms and open eyes, yeah/ Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there/ I'll be there". A very melodic, psychedelic guitar solo is also featured here, making this a great, laid-back song and a nice break into some softer stuff.
   "Clean": Starting off with percussion and featuring some of the best turntable work on the entire album, this song definitely has a huge, seaside vibe to it. Another drive-by-the-beach classic.
   "Battlestar Scralactica": A four-minute, instrumental track. This is probably the most experimental song on the whole album, and ensures for lots of listening fun with each turn of the band's progression.
   "I Miss You": A beautiful ballad that seems perfect to slow dance to, with a melodic riff, romantic lyrics and probably Brandon's best vocal performance on the album. It's amazing that they could get all this down in not even three minutes, this is one of my favorite songs off the album.
   "Pardon Me": Another huge hit off the album, with a faster vocal feel and some experimental vibes going on. Yet another great song!
   
   With such classic songs as these, "Make Yourself" is definitely one of the best rock albums of the past, ten years and is a great way for Incubus to close out the '90s. There are just so many great songs on here that are perfect for chilling, cruising or rocking out, it can fit whatever mood you're in. Plus, it along with other Incubus albums set the perfect summer mood. So be sure to get this album as soon as you can! Thanks for the time, and peace.



4. that hasn't already been said. I just listened to this again and had to put in my say. Its a great disc. Must have listened hundreds of times over the years. Refreshing, funky, deep, emotional and unique. They had a great vibe between this and 'Morning View'. Though their last 2 discs are quite good, there is more energy here. Not a Metal record, a Pop record or a Chili Peppers wanna be record. Incubus' brand of funk is different. The disc is 100% on the mark. Great pick if you don't have it yet.



5. One of my top favorite CDs. I listen to it over and over. "Light Grenades" and "Morning View" are good too, but I still like this one the best.

5 comments about The Real Thing.

1. This is a great funk-rock album and the first time I've heard the FNM studio cover of Black Sabbath's "War Pigs". There's a bit of a mellow spot in the middle of the CD (tracks 5 and 6), but finishes strong.
   
   
   
   Favorites:
   "Falling To Pieces"
   "War Pigs"



2. I was born too late, as you can see by my bad spelling. Or maybe I'm just a metalhead who dreams of bringing back good old metal music. But anyway, there's only one sure thing you need to know about Faith no more, if you want want real music from the greatest band (metal or not) from not just the 90's, but ever! then get your butt out of that computer and get yourself this album. Surprisingly is not their best because they really became a better band. But it still remains a metal classic. It has rap (which i personally don't like) call them what you want, but they aren't a rap-metal band or even funk metal. Sure it has those elements but frankly, they are to good to be labeled. Just see them as a metal band with different styles thrown in here and there. I'm the biggest Mike Patton fan, especially a big fan of the craziest band ever Mr. Bungle, along with Fantomas, and of course Faith no more. Roddy is the best keyboardist i've ever heard, Jim ruled that guitar, And Billy and Puffy are just as awesome too. Now that they've reformed, I'm just hopping i can see them play live and i succeed my accomplishments in life. Yeah that's how great they are so get this damn album now!



3. As a nineties raised person, you gotta love this album. It came out in the late eighties, but by listening to it you'll understand where many styles and tendencies come from, especially those of nu metal bands, only they're not even close to what these guys accomplished: an honest, well crafted mixture of 80's hip-hop, thrash metal, and funk. You'll love the War Pigs cover as well. In other words, go ahead and buy it.... By the way, you guys in North America are so lucky to have bands like this available for concerts all the time. Down here it's just starting to happen.



4. This album really turned me on to what music could be after the horrors of most popular 80s music. Yeah, I was a pretty little kid in the 80s, but I knew I didn't like what I heard coming out of most radios a majority of the time. My brother had some FNM (and a lot of other bands that no one else I knew had ever heard of) and these vocals really stuck with me. In high school, I had a cassette of this and Mr. Bungle and literally played them until they came apart-- I'm still not sick of either. It's so free of "influences of the time" that it continues to seem new and truly "alternative." It's a unique sound as all of Patton's endeavors seem to be.



5. I dunno, man, but between the structures, melodies and especially the production, this album FEELS like 1989/1990. And yet, it remains timeless. Despite their more experimental, and more interesting, efforts later, this is FNM at their most accessible. This is one of those albums you can throw on no matter what mood you're in and rock the F out. It's a blast to listen to.

5 comments about Angel Dust.

1. There's little more to add to the reviews already posted here. Suffice it to say that this is definitely one of the most bizarre heavy albums ever released on a major label. Most of the songs feature reasonably conventional heavy riffs, but pretty much everything else is out of whack. The arrangements range from inspired to really strange, odd samples pop up everywhere (aborigines chanting, crickets chirping, weird strings etc) and the vocals have to be heard to be believed. By now it's no secret that Patton is one of the most diverse and gifted vocalists of his generation, but I imagine it must have been quite a shock for most people to hear what he was doing here when this was released. He emotes, snarls, growls, screeches, deadpans and sometimes uses a megaphone for good measure. The lyrics are uniformly excellent, and the songwriting is amazingly consistent. To this day, I only skip a single song ("RV"). Some of the songs are even quite funny ("Be Aggressive" is an ironic treasure, for one).
   
   Personal favorites: "Smaller and Smaller", "Crack Hitler", "Caffeine", and the somewhat inelegantly titled "Jizzlobber". The latter is probably the heaviest song of their career, but at the same time, almost paradoxically, the most moving. It starts off with an eerie repeated note played on the keyboards ala Psycho, until a heavy, fuzzy riff crashes in, played with a lot of postprocessing. Patton gives his most deranged performance here, shrieking and growling so intensely that half the lyrics are rendered indecipherable. This is too bad, because these are quite intriguing, featuring lines such as
   
   "They will sum it all up in a sentence,
   A verdict made by those who know"
   
   and
   
   "Cruel words sleep above me,
   Mounting, teasing"
   
   The song proceeds through various sections, each heavier than the last, with Patton finally proclaiming "I am what I've done" and wailing "I'm sorry" over and over again. The song ends with a choir and organ section that is both crazed and haunting at the same time. Overall, the song radiates a feeling of tremendous remorse and shame that is deeply moving and disturbing.
   
   This is probably their best album, although certainly not their only good one. "Album of the Year" is also worth checking out, although it's nowhere near as aggressive.



2. A fantastic follow-up to the masterpiece known as The Real Thing. Funky is some places, hard core in others, Faith No More further defines itself as the protypical alternative ensemble. Angel Dust is and will remain an essential piece to the alternative rock collection.



3. Another solid FNM album.
   
   There's some foreshadowing of Mr. Bungle in songs like "Be Aggressive", and then there's the always awesome "Midlife Crisis".



4. I bought this album when it first came out. It was not what I expected after The Real Thing, which spoke very well to my then teenage aesthetic. There are few hummable melodies or sing-along type lyrics on Angel Dust.
   
   It's taken me about fifteen years to come around and realize what an incredible album Angel Dust is. Most of the tracks are dissonant and polyphonic. Patton's lyrics are nearly incomprehensible, yet his voice is one of the most interesting aspects of this album, working often more as an instrument than a device for delivering semantic content. Grunts integrate into guitar riffs seamlessly, and what could have been a mess of an album integrates complex and disparate parts in a way that can only be described as beautiful.



5. Pop album? maybe you meant Experimental metal. So man, what can you say about one of the greatest album ever made in rock. Well, it's just beautiful and wowed me after i finished listening to it. It's heavy, creepy, it has soul, whatever mood you're in, you'll get it. My favorites are the beautiful death metal inspired songs (death metal beautiful?, wow) Jizzlobber and Malpractice. Those songs been called art death metal or something, and that's exactly what they are. The easy cover is 100x better than the original and it's funny that Mike has a much more amazing voice than mostly any singer out there. Yet he has the most insane screams in metal. So, you know what I'm telling you, get this and unless you've heard Patton's other crazy bands, then this album will be easy for you to listen to. Way different than The Real Thing so don't expect the funkiness they once had. You need to appreciate this masterpiece and get it.