Albums by this artist

Californication (1999)

One Hot Minute (1995)

Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991)

Red Hot Chili Peppers

One Hot Minute

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» PATRICK KASTNER | STAFF WRITER

Red Hot Chili Peppers One Hot Minute Warner Bros., 1995 RiYL: 311, Fugazi, Porno For Pyros, Primus, Jane's Addiction

At first, the union of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and ex-Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro seemed a bit odd. Granted, both bands had a penchant for not wearing shirts, but big hits aside, the Chili Peppers were a party funk combo, while Navarro played in the trippiest post-punk outfit of the late '80s.

But from the first few seconds of "Warped," the opening cut on One Hot Minute, it's obvious these guys know what they're doing. "Warped" illustrates what makes the new Chili Peppers work. Bassist Flea and drummer Chad Smith provide a ferociously funky base for Navarro's reverb-and-distortion-drenched guitar to build on. The result just plain rocks.

But if Chili Pepper fans are too worried about the band becoming Jane's Addiction Part II, all they have to do is listen to "Aeroplane" or "Coffee Shop." The band still has the funk, it's just a little different now.

However, as with all Chili Peppers albums, it's that same funk that can cause problems. "One Big Mob" and "Falling Into Grace" are useless exercises in punk/funk fusion that ramble on with no point.

On 1991's breakthrough Blood Sugar Sex Magik, the Chili Peppers learned that they must depart from the funk to win mass audiences. And on that album they overcame the barrier with killer ballads like "Under The Bridge" and "I Could Have Lied." But what really made those ballads work was the melancholy, almost mystical guitar work of ex-Chili Pepper John Frusciante.

Navarro compensates as best he can on songs like "My Friends" and "Tearjerker" with his atmospheric style of playing. Both songs work, but neither are as compelling lyrically as "Under The Bridge" or "Soul To Squeeze." In fact, Kiedis' lyrics throughout the album lack the playful or soul-baring confessional quality of the songs on Blood Sugar Sex Magik.

But the band's sixth studio album is not about lyrics or ballads -- it's about rocking. After four years and at least as many guitarists, the Chili Peppers had to prove they still have the goods. Overall, One Hot Minute does just that.

PATRICK KASTNER | Affectionately known as Cousin Patty (yes, it's a "Throw Momma From The Train" reference), Patrick Kastner is a designer for the Columbus Post-Dispatch.