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Album Details

• Artist: Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Album: Mothers Milk
• Label: EMI
• Year of Release: 1989
• ME Rating: Indie Classic
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2007-03-27

A recent poll on the forums asking what the best album by Red Hot Chili Peppers brought on this review. I was probably the biggest RHCP fan before Blood Sugar Sex Magik ruined everything for me (specifically "Under The Bridge"). Sure, this was their breakthrough album but it was also the album where they lost their funk and power.

I saw the video for "Fight Like A Brave" and was instantly sold. With that, the Uplift Mofo Party Plan was the first album I was exposed to and it was hard for me to decide if that was a better album or Mother's Milk was. I fell hard for Mother's Milk though. Even now as I listen to the album again, first time in many years, I am reminded why I liked this one so much.

The album opens with the killer track "Good Time Boys", introducing us to what lies ahead. It's probably one of the slower tracks but damn, it's still funky as hell. Then they kick ass with their cover of the seminal Stevie Wonder "Higher Ground". This, right here, is why this album is so good. Anthony and the boys are still having a blast. The whole group join in during the chorus. Not just one cover on this album but two. Check out the awesome rendition of Hendrix's "Fire" a little later on. "Subway To Venus" isn't talked about much but this is the greatest amalgam of their punk, metal, funk, rap and jazz style. It's where Frusciante's guitar playing really stands out. It should be noted that this was John's first album with the band. The breakneck "Magic Johnson" is more of a rap than anything but fun just the same. Then Flea gets his time in the sun on the opening to "Nobody Weird Like Me". I still sing "Knock Me Down" even though it has been years since I listened to this album. Then the song that did it for me back then, "Taste The Pain" should have been The Red Hot Chili Peppers breakthrough hit. Then "Stone Cold Bush" hits your ears and you can't believe the musicianship, blazing funk guitars, crazy slap bass, fun vocals. And even their little jam, "Pretty Little Ditty" deserves mention. "Sexy Mexican Maid" is sultry and groovy all in the same. And they don't waste anytime, giving us one of the best tracks at the end of the set, "Johnny, Kick A Hole In The Sky".

In all honesty, Mother's Milk is not just the best Red Hot Chili Peppers albums but it's one of the best albums of the 80s and has influenced so many bands. Listen to it if you haven't, pull it off the shelf and dust it off if you do own it. One note, Mother's Milk is recommended in it's remastered version, reissued in 2003.

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