The reason the first incarnation of the band was able to get recognition in the first place was because of their chemistry and energy. As good as some of the moments on The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Freaky Styley might have been, The Uplift Mofo Party Plan was the album the band had wanted to, and should have made 3 years earlier. Here, the energy of the quartet remains unparalleled, and even though the Peppers have later reached greater heights, this was them perfecting their earliest sound . The much improved chemistry, and therefore, performance, kicks in right from the beginning. Flea’s bass is as strong as always, but doesn’t overpower as much as it used to do. With Irons’ beats added to it, the rhythm section lays down a backbone funk groove we, before this album, didn’t know the band were capable of. The lead is equally effective. Slovak’s guitar is loud and sufficiently present, especially compared to his previous performance, and Kiedis is at his best yet, fuelling the band with crazed, passionate rapping.
Especially the first half of the album is proof of this all, and contains most highlights. The distorted Slovak lead on Fight Like a Brave, the eclectic Funky Crime, the more straightforwardly rockin’ Backwoods, the outstanding bass on Behind the Sun and Walkin’ Down the Road, most tracks have their own special moments going for them. Nevertheless, even TUMPP is marred by a few inconsistencies and missteps. The cover of the Bob Dylan classic Subterranean Homesick Blues has an impressive rap delivery by Kiedis (pretty much a solo moment for him), but the track is so unrecognizable it could have been a 2:34 rap written by the band themselves. Nothing of interest whatsoever is done with the original. Skinny Sweaty Man is another one added to the joke track collection, but it is Kiedis’ pre-occupation with sex-related material that produces some of the more annoying moments on the record. Sure, Special Secret Song Inside, No Chump Love Sucker and Love Trilogy may seem fun at first, but after repeated listens, they tend to wear out their appeal.
Despite these few moments of negativity, The Uplift Mofo Party Plan remains the most consistent thing to come out of the Peppers’ first era. Just take a look at that colourful cover art. It’s full of energy, and so is this record. Some of this tremendous energy may have been expressed in wrong ways, but the chemistry the quartet has is undeniable. It is a particular sound that, with the death of Slovak and following departure of Irons, the band have never been recaptured. But that is not necessarily a bad thing, for fourth release Mother’s Milk was to be the boys’ best work yet.
Tracklist for The Uplift Mofo Party Plan:
1. Fight Like a Brave
2. Funky Crime
3. Me and My Friends
4. Backwoods
5. Skinny Sweaty Man
6. Behind the Sun
7. Subterranean Homesick Blues
8. Special Secret Song Inside
9. No Chump Love Sucker
10. Walkin' on Down the Road
11. Love Trilogy
12. Organic Anti-Beat Box Band
Especially the first half of the album is proof of this all, and contains most highlights. The distorted Slovak lead on Fight Like a Brave, the eclectic Funky Crime, the more straightforwardly rockin’ Backwoods, the outstanding bass on Behind the Sun and Walkin’ Down the Road, most tracks have their own special moments going for them. Nevertheless, even TUMPP is marred by a few inconsistencies and missteps. The cover of the Bob Dylan classic Subterranean Homesick Blues has an impressive rap delivery by Kiedis (pretty much a solo moment for him), but the track is so unrecognizable it could have been a 2:34 rap written by the band themselves. Nothing of interest whatsoever is done with the original. Skinny Sweaty Man is another one added to the joke track collection, but it is Kiedis’ pre-occupation with sex-related material that produces some of the more annoying moments on the record. Sure, Special Secret Song Inside, No Chump Love Sucker and Love Trilogy may seem fun at first, but after repeated listens, they tend to wear out their appeal.
Despite these few moments of negativity, The Uplift Mofo Party Plan remains the most consistent thing to come out of the Peppers’ first era. Just take a look at that colourful cover art. It’s full of energy, and so is this record. Some of this tremendous energy may have been expressed in wrong ways, but the chemistry the quartet has is undeniable. It is a particular sound that, with the death of Slovak and following departure of Irons, the band have never been recaptured. But that is not necessarily a bad thing, for fourth release Mother’s Milk was to be the boys’ best work yet.
Tracklist for The Uplift Mofo Party Plan:
1. Fight Like a Brave
2. Funky Crime
3. Me and My Friends
4. Backwoods
5. Skinny Sweaty Man
6. Behind the Sun
7. Subterranean Homesick Blues
8. Special Secret Song Inside
9. No Chump Love Sucker
10. Walkin' on Down the Road
11. Love Trilogy
12. Organic Anti-Beat Box Band