Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991)

L.A.'s Red Hot Chili Peppers are a nuclear-strength novelty band, funk division. At their best, live on a stage, they're fast, funny, loud, and unrelenting, as well-named a group as you can imagine. (They've been known to play shows wearing only socks -- and not, ahem, on their feet.) Unfortunately, this sort of stuff, even at its best, doesn't translate well to record. There's no way to convey aurally how preternaturally bouncy bassist Flea and mischievous singer Anthony Kiedis attack a song. Blood Sugar Sex Magik has the band opting for a little seriousness; the ballad ''Breaking the Girl'' sounds somewhat disapproving of the band's usual Red Hot antics and ''Under the Bridge'' has fancy-shmancy touches. Elsewhere, the band members are their usual fast, funny, loud, and unrelenting selves.

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