Greatest Red Hot Chili Peppers Albums

We love them all but which is your all time favorite album from the Red Hot Chili Peppers?
The Top Ten
1 Blood Sugar Sex Magik

Should be second because they included Under the Bridge and Give It Away on the tracklist, and besides, One Hot Minute is a lot better anyway. But this is a total 10/10. Even if there are more bland, overplayed songs like the singles, it makes up for it with songs like Sir Psycho Sexy, Funky Monks, The Power of Equality, If You Have to Ask, Mellowship Slinky in B Major, Apache Rose Peacock, and still more. Great one.

BSSM has the perfect mix of the mad funk energy and vitality of the early Chili's and the more melodic side of the band's personality. One of the greatest albums of all time. It has it all. It's 74 minutes long, and even the B sides they couldn't fit on are amazing. It's revolutionary "artistically heightened" music, coming from a place of infinite creativity, where the band was at the time. John finds himself as the ultimate Chili Pepper's guitarist on this album. Endlessly listenable.

How is this not #1? Listen to the variety of sounds and voyages this album covers. Anthony hits great notes in "Under the Bridge," and rapped away in "If You Have to Ask." John is brilliant in this, not to mention Chad and Flea go so well in here. Watch the Funky Monks documentary, and your opinion will change.

2 Californication

Californication was not only a comeback album but also a transitional album. Never before has the world seen a piece of work with such musical versatility, mixing the rock riffs and rapping from Kiedis of the Blood Sugar Sex Magik and Mother's Milk days with the beautiful melodious songs of By the Way, to make an amazingly all-around beautiful album.

Incredible album. I am a huge fan of the Chili Peppers. I love all of their albums so much. It was hard to vote as to which was the best album. But I had to choose Californication! From Around the World, Parallel Universe, Scar Tissue, Californication, and This Velvet Glove, this album had the best of the best from the Chili Peppers.

Oh man, this was a tough one... I couldn't choose between this and Stadium Arcadium... But I really did have to choose this one, mainly because it was the peak of John Frusciante's genius. This album was what made me LOVE the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Great Album... 9/10

3 Stadium Arcadium

Too many ding this album for being long on run time. Couldn't disagree more. That's like the emperor chastening Mozart for using too many notes. And when critics suggest the Chilis should've scrunched Stadium into one super-album, I'm like, okay, now please tell me which 14 songs you'd cut, 'cause I can't think of one. For my money, this and BSSM are the top 2 RHCP albums, hands down, and in no particular order.

The only legit critique is that it doesn't really break new ground, but in fairness, what ground haven't the Chilis, with their eclectic wealth of influences, already covered? Psychedelic string quartet? No thanks. I'll take classic Chilis any day, as an album doesn't necessarily have to innovate to be epic. Love this album!

The recording quality and guitar work by John Frusciante on this album is par none. He finds a wonderful balance here, whereas I feel like he was overly minimalist for some tracks in earlier albums. Snow is simple complexity. It is elegant and finessed. Can't find the words to describe how wonderfully Snow and Dani California communicate pure emotion and love.

4 By The Way

What a beautiful album. Without songs like Can't Stop, Universally Speaking, The Zephyr Song, and Warm Tape, it might be top 2. But as it stands, it's still good, with my favorite being Dosed, I Could Die for You, Cabron, Venice Queen, and Minor Thing. Besides, By the Way is the only good hit they've ever written!

YES. This is the best modern RHCP album, in my opinion. My favorite songs on this album are probably the title track, Can't Stop, Throw Away Your Television, and Venice Queen. The title track is infectious and funky, like with a lot of their songs. Can't Stop is one of the most psychedelic songs they ever did. Throw Away Your Television does count as well, and the ending track, Venice Queen, is just so BEAUTIFUL. It starts off like a slow ballad, but halfway through, it kicks off with some ass-kicking production. Best ending track in a RHCP album, in my opinion as well. This is the Pokemon Black and White of their discography. Point taken.

5 One Hot Minute

Best. Hands down. Blood Sugar is amazing, really. But One Hot Minute is something special. John Frusciante is my favorite everything ever, but Dave Navarro did something great with this. Not to mention Anthony and Flea were at the height of their powers. Here are the best songs:

1. Transcending
2. Falling Into Grace
3. Shallow Be Thy Game
4. Walkabout
5. Coffee Shop

And they're all top 20 RHCP songs! Not to mention the outtakes like Bob and Let's Make Evil rock. Definitely a forgotten gem that's worth a listen.

(By the way, there isn't a bad song on the album. And every other RHCP outing has a few or more!)

The greatest. No reason to hate it, just because the guitarist was not John Frusciante. All songs, except "Pea," are great. There is nothing to say.

People should stop overlooking this album just because it's not Frusciante. So much diversity and every song is good.

6 Mother's Milk

Every RHCP album is different and that's what makes them a very unique and interesting band. I love all of them, but this is probably their best: it's got the ass-kicking bass (Johnny kick a hole in the sky), the pounding drums (Higher Ground), heavy riffs (Good Time Boys), melodic guitar playing (Pretty Little Ditty), funky grooves (Subway to Venus), Anthony's characteristic vocal style, and sexual lyrics as usual.

And if you have the remastered, you get 2 awesome instrumentals, 2 live songs, and 2 extended versions. What else can you ask for?

This is my number one for one simple reason: Good Time Boys! I love this song, and the rest of the album is as great as well. This starts the Chili Peppers finding that perfect cross between '90s music and funk that would later be on BSSM. Even though they are both great, something about this album (guitar solos) makes it my favorite.

The best Red Hot chili peppers album. Funky metal, metalish funk, whatever you want to call it this was the Red hot chili peppers. They had a sound they never had before and never duplicated ever again on this album.

7 I'm With You

Monarchy of Roses. Brendan's Death Song. The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie. Look Around. And, of course, every other wonderful song on this surprisingly magnificent record. I don't know if I would call this their best, but it might just be my personal favorite. It's one of their freshest and most energetic albums, hearkening back to the melody and soft beauty of 'By The Way' while also incorporating the minimalistic rock fervor of 'Blood Sugar Sex Magik'. Additionally, a fair amount of boundary-pushing experimentalism works its way into the mix.

Essentially, this is a fantastic effort from a veteran rock band, proving that one of music's most creative, original, and successful bands is still in tip-top shape and creating truly great art.

This is a surprisingly excellent album, more than I actually thought it would be, especially with John Frusciante's second and now permanent departure. However, just like how Frusciante changed and, in my opinion, vastly improved the sound since Hillel Slovak's death, Josh Klinghoffer's positive influences can already be heard and, amazingly, admired on this album. While he's not technically "better" than Frusciante (I love Frusciante's complex, layered guitar playing), he is reinventing the RHCP sound with cleaner, sharper riffs, in his own way, evolving the band while still sounding fresh, yet comfortably familiar. If this is the beginning of a "new band" as Chad Smith calls it, then I'm really looking forward to what comes next.

8 Uplift Mofo Party Plan

This album is pure musical genius, so raw and volatile. It just oozes recklessness and total disregard for following trends. Addictive hooks and bass lines, it's hard not to hold this album on repeat. It's just pure gold.

This album is amazing. It's so funky and energetic. It also has some of the most enjoyable material by the band. Killer cuts: Fight Like a Brave, Behind the Sun, and Backwoods.

This is my second favorite, behind Mother's Milk. But seriously, why the hell are people thinking that One Hot Minute is better than this?

9 The Getaway

Not the best but certainly up there, their new vibe is more balanced here. The Getaway and Encore are great laid-back songs, We Turn Red is an awesome funky song that's chorus is really one of their best. The Hunter is a cool psychedelic track and the lead single, Dark Necessities, will be greatly remembered with Under the Bridge, Aeroplane, Californication, Can't Stop, and Dani California.

Josh's work on The Getaway was amazing, this and the atmospheric vibe of the album, with amazing riffs, Flea's magic, surprisingly good lyrics from most of the songs from Anthony, not meaningless at least and as always Chad keeping all this together. There's not a song that I disliked, amazing work from a band that's still amazing these days.

Second album with Josh Klinghoffer on board, and it's a beauty. I enjoyed the input Klinghoffer had whilst Frusciante was absent from the band. Some great tracks here, which I feel so many fans have overlooked due to Frusciante not being present. If you haven't checked it out, then please do.

10 Freaky Styley

Pure classic! If you want to have the best improvisations of everything in your suitcase, then this is it!

The Brothers Cup is an amazing song, as is Yertle the Turtle. An often overlooked album because it is the most funky out of any RHCP album by far.

One of the most underrated gems of the early Chili Peppers catalog. From "Yertle the Turtle" to "If You Want Me to Stay," it just makes it a perfect album.

The Newcomers

? Under the Covers: Essential Red Hot Chili Peppers
? The Best of Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Contenders
11 The Red Hot Chilli Peppers

I think this is one of their worst. But it's so damn fun to listen to old-school Peppers. A surreal and interesting experience. Still way better than I'm With You.

This is a thousand times better than Freaky Styley, goddamn. Freaky Styley is their worst album by 300 miles. This one is just okay?

11. Freaky Styley (1/5)
10. The Red Hot Chili Peppers (3/5)
9. The Getaway (3/5)
8. One Hot Minute (3.2/5)
7. I'm With You (wish it was higher) (4/5)
6. Mother's Milk (4/5)
5. By the Way (4/5)
4. Stadium Arcadium (4.2/5)
3. The Uplift Mofo Party Plan (4.5/5)
2. Californication (5/5)
1. Blood Sugar Sex Magik (5/5)

Amazing album. Sure, it's not the best, but there are some great songs on there like 'True Men Don't Kill Coyotes' and 'Why Don't You Love Me'.

12 Red Hot Chili Peppers: Greatest Hits

This features a range of songs from all the band's albums. From Under the Bridge (Blood Sugar Sex Magik) to By the Way (By the Way). It also features songs not found on any other album by RHCP, such as Soul to Squeeze. A song such as Soul to Squeeze is another masterpiece by the band. From Flea's bass bouncing the song along and Frusciante complementing Anthony's vocals, it's no surprise it was very successful. It is the summary of the band that is Chili Peppers and only the best songs. My whole teenage life is this album.

I'm so glad they didn't make this after Stadium Arcadium. So many overrated songs like Dani California would have dominated the tracklist and knocked absolute classics off the album. Simply an amazing LP. Who cares if it's a compilation album?

Good album but I believe it's not really an album. It's more than a do-over. They also should have waited for Stadium Arcadium.

13 Unlimited Love

After a 6-year gap between the previous release, the Chilis return with an amazing new album with John Frusciante back on board. Some amazing songs to hear on here. This band is loving being back together again, and their love for music and each other shines through.

With John back on board, the band sounds like they are again having fun after being away for a few years. The tracks grow on you each time you listen to them. My favorite track is forever changing. Can't believe they have been going for almost 40 years... there's still so much magic left in their tank.

Amazing new album. Almost 40 years into their career and they still have the magic.

14 I'm With You Sessions

The B-sides are actually amazing. I think they are better than the "I'm With You" album. The lyrics and actual sound is amazing and powerful.

15 Return of the Dream Canteen

In contention with Stadium Arcadium for a place in my top five, but really, I think this album has it all. Not a bad song, not even My Cigarette. Also, I've found out recently that not a lot of people actually love Bella. Is this true?

Unlimited Love did not leave my car CD player for over 6 months. I love that album so much, and it only got replaced by the 2nd Chili Peppers record of 2022, Return of the Dream Canteen. Yet another album packed with beautiful, amazing, fun, and emotional songs. Been playing it solid ever since.

Amazing return of Frusciante. Better than Unlimited Love, and that one rocked! Can't think of a truly bad song.

16 What Hits!?
17 Out in L.A.
18 Live at Slane Castle

All the songs played here are performed with such passion and the perfect variety.

19 Live In Hyde Park
20 The Plasma Shaft
21 The Abbey Road E.P.
22 2011 Live EP
23 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Covers EP
24 I’m with You World Tour
25 Live in Paris
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