Red Hot Chili Peppers - Off The Map DVD

The continued survival and huge commercial success of the Red Hot Chili Peppers may come as a surprise to some but Off the Map finds the band in fine form. Recorded live on the last night of their all-conquering Californication world tour, the set veers from the funkadelic-influenced rock that made their name to the more mature, thoughtful side that has always underpinned their work. Thus "Suck My Kiss", "Blood Sugar Sex Magik", "Right on Time" and "Me and My Friends" are all franticly funky, but the band are far more effective on the elegant sweep of "Californication",... "Scar Tissue" and the classic "Under the Bridge". Despite their advancing years, the Chilis still ensure a high level of performance--the visuals are a mass of swirling limbs and instruments while the crystal-clear sound is dominated by Flea's pulsating bass. On the DVD: Off the Map presents an image of the band--sipping herbal tea backstage, practising yoga and talking about their kids--that's a far cry from their reputation for hard living. As with any concert material extras (plus post-tour interviews) there is a tendency to slip into Spinal Tap mode, particularly singer Anthony Keidis, but the four come across as eminently likable. The five extra music tracks include a searing version of the Stooges' "Search & Destroy" but best of all is the subtitles option, giving us the opportunity to work out just what Keidis has been singing about all these years. It's not a pretty sight! –-Phil Udell [show more]

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