Every Red Hot Chili Peppers album, ranked

A ranking is an opinion. This one is ours: four musicians who don't only listen to these albums but also learn to play them. We weigh the songs, how well the record hangs together and what it meant for the band. Sales figures don't count. You can have your own say in the poll on the best album.

The discography at a glance

The ranking runs from 13 up to 1.

13The Red Hot Chili Peppers (1984)

The debut sounds thin and tidy, while the band was a whirlwind on stage. Producer Andy Gill wanted a radio-friendly sound; the band didn't. Kiedis writes in his memoir Scar Tissue that he saw in Gill's notes that he had written "shit" next to Police Helicopter, one of their favourites. Interesting as a document, but you rarely play it twice.

12Return of the Dream Canteen (2022)

The second album from the Unlimited Love sessions: the band recorded almost fifty songs; 34 of them ended up on two records. Eddie, a tribute to Eddie Van Halen, and Tippa My Tongue are high points. As a whole it is too long and not sharp enough.

11I'm with You (2011)

The first album with Josh Klinghoffer, after five years of silence. Klinghoffer plays for the song and for atmosphere, and Flea carries a lot of the tracks. Monarchy of Roses and Brendan's Death Song still hold up; the rest lacks the tension of the Frusciante records.

10Freaky Styley (1985)

Funk legend George Clinton produced, and Maceo Parker and Fred Wesley played horns. Hillel Slovak is back and you can hear it. The album didn't make the Billboard 200, but the groove is rock solid. What it lacks are songs you sing along to after one listen.

9The Getaway (2016)

The only album since 1989 without Rick Rubin: Danger Mouse produced. Recording stalled for months after Flea broke his arm skiing. Dark Necessities is one of their best songs after 2006, and Elton John plays piano on Sick Love. A calm, well-crafted album that takes few risks.

8Unlimited Love (2022)

The first album in six years, with Frusciante and Rubin back. The first single, Black Summer, instantly sounds like the Chili Peppers of around 2000. The album was their first US number 1 since Stadium Arcadium. At seventeen tracks, it does run long.

7One Hot Minute (1995)

The odd one out, with Dave Navarro on guitar. Heavier, more psychedelic and darker than anything before it: Kiedis had started using again and you can hear it in the lyrics. Aeroplane and My Friends were hits; Flea sings Pea himself. Fans are split on it. We think it is better than its reputation.

6The Uplift Mofo Party Plan (1987)

The only album on which all four founders play on every track. Flea later called it their most rocking record. Kiedis wrote Fight Like a Brave on the plane back from rehab. It was Hillel Slovak's last album; he died nine months later.

5Mother's Milk (1989)

The first record with John Frusciante and Chad Smith, and their first gold album. The cover of Stevie Wonder's Higher Ground got them onto radio and MTV. Frusciante himself wasn't happy with it: producer Michael Beinhorn wanted heavy metal guitars. In 1991 Frusciante said he was a bit ashamed of the album. We think that is too harsh; Knock Me Down still stands up.

4Stadium Arcadium (2006)

A double album with 28 tracks and their first US number 1. It won a Grammy for Best Rock Album. Everyone knows Dani California, Snow (Hey Oh) and Tell Me Baby, and Frusciante plays his most exuberant solos here. With a stricter edit it would have ranked higher.

3Californication (1999)

The comeback album after Frusciante's return and the band's best-selling record: more than fifteen million copies. Scar Tissue, Otherside, Around the World and the title track: nearly every song became a classic. Rolling Stone wrote in 1999 that the band dared to be "spiritual and epiphanal" here. Why it still only comes third for us, you can read in our column.

2By the Way (2002)

Frusciante wrote most of the melodies and stacked Beach Boys-style backing vocals. Rolling Stone called the album "insanely melodic" in 2002. From Can't Stop to The Zephyr Song and Midnight, it is the most coherent album the band has made. Flea felt shut out during the sessions, and that is the only blemish.

1Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991)

This is where the band found its own sound. The funk is barer, there is space in it, and among the party songs sit Under the Bridge and Breaking the Girl. Flea deliberately played fewer notes; Frusciante recorded his solos live. The album reached number 3 in America and made them world famous. The full story is in the story behind Blood Sugar Sex Magik.

What about the compilations?

Besides the thirteen studio albums there are compilations, live albums and EPs. The best known is Greatest Hits from 2003. Only want the songs everyone knows? Start with the 15 best-known songs.

Which songs from which albums we play live, you can see in our repertoire.

De Peppers editorial team

Written by the editors at De Peppers, the Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute band from Noord-Brabant, the Netherlands. Every fact is sourced at the bottom of the piece. Spotted a mistake? Email info@mia-automation.com and we will check it.

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