Four-year career hiatuses followed by sprawling double-albums could spell trouble for a band of the Chili Peppers' stature: consider they'd originally recorded enough for three discs. The restless, trouble-plagued outfit that helped break alternative rock into the mainstream with a potent fusion of punk 'n' funk in the '80s finds itself two decades on almost completely devoid of the former's energetic abandon, while the latter's effusive rhythms are considerably subdued over the course of this two-hour, 28-track collection. It's not so much that the Peppers have lost their muscular, often uber-macho edge as they have willfully tamed it in service of mature reinvention here. The mellower, often introspective, if no less potent pop ethos that characterized the crossover hit "Under the Bridge" blossoms fully here on tracks like disc one's "Snow," "Wet Sand," and the jazz-cool of "Hey."

The title track, "Desecration Smile," and "She Looks To Me" finds them venturing further into laid back pop ballad territory, while the tricky rhythms of "Dani California," "Charlie," and "So Much I" eventually kick into familiar top gear on the pop-savvy "Tell Me Baby" and hip-hop seasoned "Storm in a Teacup." It's not that there's a paucity of musical adventure here ("If" and "Animal Bar" finds them wafting into Floydish neo-psychedelia while "Make You Feel Better" seems to channel no less than Joe Jackson) but that it's delivered with a subtlety--and dare we say it?--tasteful musical restraint that's a stark contrast to the band's early, overly overt nature. There's perhaps too much mid-tempo simmering and reflection going on; like most double-albums it could be focused into a much more compelling single disc. But that seems largely beside the Peppers' hooks-over-histrionics point here: an unlikely record to kick back to, and one that both challenges assumptions and eases the band into middle age with an oft languorous, if undeniably savory groove. --Jerry McCulley

where to start. this would have been the bollocks if it wasnt for all the truly tedious filler tracks. the band have made the mistake of believing there own hype and thinking they could pull off a double album of prize winning gems, in fact what they have is varying versions of about 4 different songs on an album so dull it makes coldplay look like pioneers of breakthrough music. if it was a colour it would be beige. to blood sugars rainbow. elevator music for saab owners

This is a good album. A double disc of all good songs is definitely an achievement. However, while all the songs are good, as an album, it gets a bit boring after a while. There is not much variation in this album, and while there are highlights such as Dani California and She's only 18, nothing stands out as exceptional. Also it would have been better to make a single disc album.

Perhaps 3 stars is a little harsh, since there are no bad songs and there's a lot on here, but since the brilliant "By the way" is its predecessor, this one is a little disappointing. Also they have gone for quantity over quality.

So, all in all, I would recommend this one. But don't expect another "By the way".

Alright, so you've probably heard a lot about this album and this band but I think this album and the band deserve so much credit. If you haven't really listened to anything off this album yet, I'm going to convince you to. Read on.

This amazing album has two disks: Jupiter and Mars; both fantastic. Its sound is way different than previous RHCP albums but still keeps they're original style and flair. With crazy bass lines from bassist Flea and funky guitar rifts from guitarist John Frusciante, this album is packed with creativity and has something for everyone. Drums are always great too when you got Chad Smith on them; one of the few guys in rock music these days that keeps a smile on his face.

Songs like "Dani California" and "She's only 18" are a couple of the heavier tracks. "Dani California" is a rocking track with a mind blowing guitar solo. Then you have more funky dance and rap mixes like "Warlocks" and "H*** De Bump." My favourite song off the album is "Especially in Michigan." It's got an awesome chorus and lead singer Anthony Kiedis has amazing vocals on this one. Other favourites of mine are "Discretion Smile", "Wet Sand" and "Make You Feel Better." I love most songs off the album except for three or four, and it's not often you find an album where the greater majority of the tracks are that solid.

The main popular singles are "Dani California" "Snow (hey-oh)" "Tell Me Baby" and "H*** De Bump."

I immediately bought the CD after hearing "Dani California" on the radio back in June 2006.

Some songs should have definitely been made singles. I think "Make You Feel Better" would have been the perfect single. But not only is it not a single, they don't even play it at the concerts! I would have loved to hear that song played live. Oh well, I guess it's because that song requires two guitars to play and they only have one guitarist (John) on stage so they can't really do it perfectly. Still though, I would like to hear it even with one guitar.

It's crazy to think that these guys were once playing funk rap stuff back in 1983 and they climbed all the way up to this amazing collection of songs and a whack load of Grammy awards.

You have to own this album in your collection. It's got something for everybody.

If you have a turntable this is a modern classic, both musically and sonically. I bought the cheaper of the two vinyl versions and I must admit it was worth every penny. The sudden openness to the sound, the increased clarity and tautness of the instruments is amazing.
The quality of the recording and the dynamics just breathes new life into the music. It also shows what increasable musicians the Chilli's are. You will not want to touch the CD again after listening to this. Also the double gate fold sleeves with quality printing and a hard box outer really make this exceptional value for money. If I could give it 6 stars I would.
One down side no antistatic record sleeves.

Those of us old enough to remember vinyl know that a double album meant 80 minutes of music - which was enough to get you spat at by punk rockers, often with good reason. So a double CD is the equivalent of a quadruple vinyl album. Not even Yes dared to do that. They'd have been lynched.

If you're going to unleash that amount of music in one go, you'd better be saying something pretty special. And the Red Hot Chilli Peppers simply aren't. I suspect they looked at the Smashing Pumpkins' extraordinary double CD "Mellon Collie..." from ten years earlier and decided that their status as this decade's top alternative band demanded a similar gesture. In so doing, they have badly overreached themselves.

Unlike Smashing Pumpkins (and I hasten to add that I'm a fan of both bands), the Chilis don't have a huge variety of texture. They have three basic song templates, and they don't seem to realise that making a double album requires them to do something extra with the format, rather than simply delivering twice as much of the same product.

Instead, you get a decent Chilis song, then another, then another, then another, etc, etc. Then, if you want, you can put the next CD on for more of the same. Rather than excitement, the effect on the listener is progressive numbness.

Instead of pushing their limits, with Stadium Arcadium the Red Hot Chili Peppers have defined those limits for all to see, emerging as something less than the band we thought they were.