Red Hot Chili PeppersBy the Way

10/10

I'm not a RHCP fan, but this album is essential in any 2000s rock collection

Got exactly what I ordered. That's it.

This is my favorite Chili Peppers album. It's presumably their first sober album and in my opinion, peak Frusciante and Kiedis. If you watch live concert videos from this era, everyone in the band is on point. Even Anthony, who usually doesn't sound as good live as he does on the album (no disrespect, I love his live voice regardless), sounds incredible and sometimes better live during this time period. It has some great upbeat tracks like Can't Stop, Cabron, and the Zephyr Song, but it also has a melancholy vibe on the majority of the other tracks. The lyrics are deep and it's just a very full sounding, well rounded album. There's a song for every mood. Some people complain that it has too many songs on it, but it honestly left me wanting more. It has classic RHCP elements like rap, funk and their essential California rock sound with a hint of Spanish thrown in. Also, the b-sides are incredible, Out of Range is my personal favorite. I know this album is 14 years old, I'm only writing this because with the release of their newest album, the Getaway, there's a lot of new RHCP fans who are young and don't have much knowledge of their discography. By the Way is a must-have. If you have a record player, absolutely buy the vinyl!!! It sounds incredible on vinyl. The copy I received was in perfect condition and there were no skips or scratches or warping on the album. Sometimes its hit or miss buying albums on Amazon, but because this is an import from another country, the quality is higher.

Arrived in perfect condition. Great album.

When the Red Hot Chili Peppers first hit the music scene, they were indeed a bad boy Alternative rock act. Whereas the band has retained some of those funky and rapping styles as well as some Explicit lyrics, the style on the By The Way CD is so much more melodic and even mature. This CD actually has many classic rock overtones and the many changes of pace really have me hooked.Sixteen songs on this CD and not a bad one in the lot. Heck the worst songs I would rate as good and many of them are great. The title track is super catchy with its many hooks. The rap parts are ultra cool. Can't Stop, Throw Away Your Television, and On Mercury are loaded with funky stylings and some tasty guitar and keyboard parts. Not too mention Flea's tasteful bass licks on the Television tune. Some great softer more melodic tunes such as Tear, The Zephyr Song, and Dosed stand tall on this disc as well. The great thing about these particular tunes is that they don't sound sappy in any way. The band just explores more structure here and the harmonies and instrumentation are extremely ear catching.Some fans may dissappointed that the Chili Peppers may have softened their appeal a bit. However, these people need to realize that change is good otherwise bands become yesterdays news all too quickly.My verdict here is to pick this CD up at once. If you wrote off the Chili Peppers in the past for being a bit too hard core, you might want to try this one on as it has more elements for classic rock fans.

This was a gift for my son. He loves it.

Love this album , but I never received it. They sent the “Barbie” soundtrack instead. Don’t know how they could’ve mixed up the two . But this a phenomenal album. Don’t hesitate to buy it , well worth the money !!!