Stadium Arcadium
by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 25
  3. Negative: 1 out of 25
  1. Observer Music Monthly
    100
    There's hardly any doodling or misfiring to undermine the sheer vastness of Stadium Arcadium.
  2. Los Angeles Times
    100
    It overflows with the kind of music the Chili Peppers do best: a physical, often psychedelic mix of spastic bass-slapped funk and glistening alt-rock spiritualism. Only they've never sounded this good as musicians.
  3. Uncut
    100
    The supersized culmination of the Chili Peppers' artistic journey. [Jun 2006, p.102]
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  5. Q Magazine
    100
    Represents a career high for the Chili Peppers. [Jun 2006, p.106]
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  6. Billboard
    90
    A mature showcase of concentrated power with riotous groove jams, super-sized hooks and transcendent vocal arrangements.
  7. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Stadium Arcadium ensures that graying Lollapalooza-era fans, indie teens, and rowdy lunkheads will all be satisfied.
  8. Rolling Stone
    80
    Stadium Arcadium has too many midtempo tracks and, in the manner of U2's All That You Can't Leave Behind, is more of a summation of the Peppers' career than a step forward. But the band is still capable of surprises.
  9. The New York Times
    80
    The music brims with a creative euphoria almost shocking for a band that has been around since Ronald Reagan's first term.
  10. Mojo
    80
    It's the sound of a band on a roll. [Jun 2006, p.110]
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  11. E! Online
    75
    The whole thing seems like a guided tour through the band's different incarnations.
  12. cokemachineglow
    73
    For anyone who legitimately enjoyed Blood Sugar, and think that they might actually want to purchase this thing, Stadium is unquestionably Red Hot Chili Peppers’ finest release since.
  13. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    Somewhere along the line the Chilis got sophisticated on our asses.
  14. Blender
    70
    This is virile, excited music. [Jun 2006, p.146]
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  15. AllMusic
    70
    The bare-bone production combined with the relentless march of songs gives Stadium Arcadium the undeniable feel of wading through the demos for a promising project instead of a sprawling statement of purpose; there's not enough purpose here for it to be a statement.
  16. Austin Chronicle
    67
    Pity that "Jupiter," disc one, mostly falls flat.
  17. MSN Consumer Guide (Robert Christgau)
    67
    At least when the bassist ruled they livened up this overworked dynamic with beats. Now they tax it with tunes.

Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Most Discussed Album of 2006
10
#10 Most Shared Album of 2006

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 1071 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 955 out of 1071
  2. Mixed: 46 out of 1071
  3. Negative: 70 out of 1071
  1. foowombats
    Dec 10, 2012
    10
    This is a very ambitious project from the Red hot chili peppers. A 28 track album! And they pull it off, so well! Being only 18, Stadium wasThis is a very ambitious project from the Red hot chili peppers. A 28 track album! And they pull it off, so well! Being only 18, Stadium was my first experience of the Chili Peppers. And it was so massive and awesome, I thought it was a best of album. I love almost all of the songs in this sprawling metropolis of Alternative rock/Funk rock. My personal favourites are Dany California, Snow, Hump de bump, slow cheetah, especially in Michigan, Tell me baby, Readymade and Storm in a teacup. Yeah...there are a lot of good songs. Charlie is the only song I don't like, and I'm sure that is just personal taste. I recommend this album to anyone, it's certainly in the top 20 albums in history.… Full Review »
  2. sonjo18
    Aug 7, 2012
    10
    I don't care what anyone says, I hail this album as the best album of all time. It has so many songs on it and they all are great. UsuallyI don't care what anyone says, I hail this album as the best album of all time. It has so many songs on it and they all are great. Usually albums have 15-18 songs and 2,3 maybe 4 are good. Stadium Arcadium has 28 songs and they all are great.… Full Review »
  3. PitchforkSucks
    Nov 15, 2013
    10
    One of the greatest displays of guitar work ever. To me, the lyrics are way underrated and the long album is just what the Chilis needed. AOne of the greatest displays of guitar work ever. To me, the lyrics are way underrated and the long album is just what the Chilis needed. A great album for John to leave on.… Full Review »
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