I would like to take it upon myself to personally thank Dave Navarro. I'm not thanking him for Jane's Addiction, his solo album, or Panic Channel (even though I do enjoy all of them.) I want to thank him for helping contribute to what in my opinion is the MOST UNDER-RATED ALBUM OF ALL TIME. Red Hot Chili Peppers' 1995 album One Hot Minute has been given nothing but poor reviews and harsh criticism. Despite all the hatred and negativity, I think One Hot Minute is one the Chili Pepper's strongest releases, standing side by side with their greatest work. The album came as the follow up the break through release, Blood Sugar Sex Magik, which was released in 1991 with John Frusciante on guitar and Rick Rubin producing. Blood Sugar is with out a doubt one of the greatest rock albums of our generation. The virtuosity of Flea, Chad Smith, and Frusciante combined to create some of the tightest grooves heard in rock's history. Add in Anthony Kiedis' lyrical delivery of some of his most sincere emotional relationships, whether they be about women or drugs (Breaking the Girl, I Could Have Lied, Under the Bridge). To top it off, add Rick Rubin's production qualities, giving the Chili Peppers a more refined sound to their alternative funk, and you have the best album I believe this band will ever record.
To follow up such a record is no small matter, and certainly not an easy task. To make matters slightly tougher, John Frusciante left the group after the Blood Sugar tour due to problems with drug use. While those are big shoes to fill, RHCP found a viable replacement in Dave Navarro of Jane's Addiction. An already proven guitar genius, Navarro would write with the entire band to create their next album. The band recorded more pre-written pieces of music, as opposed to the jamming style of writing they were used to. While the difference can certainly be heard in the songs, this is not a bad thing. When the album was released, again produced by Rick Rubin, three singles were issued. Warped, Aeroplane, and My Friends. All three singles were met with great amounts of radio requests and quickly became fan favorites. With that said, why do people still talk so poorly about this album?
Many have gone to say that Navarro's guitar playing is far too metal, and the album does not contain enough of the funk the Peppers' have made their signature sound. To this I ask if they have listened to the entire album. "Falling Into Grace," is perhaps the funkiest cut the Chili Peppers have yet to release. With the bouncing bass line that could have just as easily come off the Superfly soundtrack in the '70s and the heavy wah pedal funk of Navarro's guitar, this track remains one of my favorites they have recorded, as well as one of the funkiest. "Warped" contains an other worldly feel as it begins with Kiedis' voice sounding like he's floating through space and time, right into the heavy funk of the band to continue the space-esque quality to their groove. The song ends with a calm after the storm, displaying the first of many extreme time changes that take place on this album. Then comes the much loved "Aeroplane." No one seemed to have a problem with Dave Navarro being in the band on this song..."Deep Kick" is next to follow on the album, beginning with a story of Kiedis and Flea's teenage years and travels, creating a very personal feel for the song to follow. Once the track gets going, Navarro contributes some Jane's Addiction styled playing on this one, but does not stray far from the hypnotic groove the Chili Peppers excel so greatly at. "My Friends" comes next, and serves as one of the albums slower, ballad songs. Written off by many critics as RHCP attempt at recreating "Under the Bridge," I think that's an insult to this song. "My Friends," stands strongly as its own song, with strong sincere lyrics, and great musicianship. The guitar line during the bridge and ending of the song will forever remain as one of my favorite miniature solos. I will always remember and cherish the video shot in that yellow/brownish color lens. The whole band sitting in the little wooden boat with Flea and Navarro rocking during their respective solo sections. They just don't make videos like that anymore.
Continuing with the album, "Coffee Shop," while heavier than the typical RHCP song, is heavy in a funky manner. With Flea's bass solo about half way into the song, this track proves yet another groove strong enough to make George Clinton or James Brown proud. Next we have "Pea," and I don't think I need to say anything that the song doesn't say for itself. Maybe one day Flea will release a solo effort. "One Big Mob," continues the album bringing the classic tribal anthemic sound the Chili's introduced in their earlier years. The funk leads way to pyschedelic wanderings through the middle of the track, only to explode right back into the funk, creating a great display of musical texture. "Walkabout" is another 70's inspired funk journey that moves like a smooth summers breeze. "Tearjerker" allows Kiedis to show his ever strengthened sense of melody with the high school dance sounding music accompanying, picking up towards the end of the track with swirling guitar effects and a string section. The title track, "One Hot Minute," serves as another reminder of the bombastic combination of Flea and Navarro's symmetry, whether they acknowledge it or not. Next, "Falling into Grace," as I mentioned early is a real RHCP masterpiece. "Shallow Be Thy Game," begins with the liquid sounds of Flea with the building funk from Navarro to create yet another Jane's Addiction meets Chili Peppers sounding track. Closing out the album, "Transcending," delivers the last we'll ever hear of this pairing, and sounds just how the chemistry of this line-up went. Beautiful harmony amongst the members when they started and chaotic dysfunction as it ended.
Critics and band members alike have put this album in a negative light, but the world does not have to accept that fate. I personally think the over looking of this album is flat out criminal, and the bands refusal to play material from it live hurts their setlists on a nightly basis. Still an incredible live act today, one of the best in the business, would it be so bad to play some of the heavier grooving songs? This album live would be incredible, just as I feel the recording has always been. So please, if you are one of the Red Hot Chili Peppers fans that look down upon this album, give it another try. If you have never heard this album, I would recommend doing so as soon as possible. Listen with an open mind, and I think that you will be very impressed with what you hear. An amazing band joined up with an amazing guitarist and released an amazing album, but you don't have to believe me, listen for yourself.
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