Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group’s musical style primarily consists of alternative rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk rock and psychedelic rock. When played live, their music incorporates elements of jam band due to the improvised nature of many of their performances. Currently, the band consists of founding members vocalist Anthony Kiedis and bassist Flea (Michael Peter Balzary), longtime drummer Chad Smith, and guitarist John Frusciante. Red Hot Chili Peppers are one of the best-selling bands of all time with over 80 million records sold worldwide, they have been nominated for sixteen Grammy Awards, of which they have won six, and are the most successful band in alternative rock radio history, currently holding the records for most number-one singles (13), most cumulative weeks at number one (85) and most top-ten songs (25) on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. Here are all of Red Hot Chili Peppers albums ranked.

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11. The Red Hot Chili Peppers (1984)

“Now, I adore every single RHCP creation, so there is no way I could ever be objective or critical of them. I adore this album because it was the start of everything. After all these years, I think Green Heaven is one of Anthony’s masterpieces as far as lyrics go. And True Men has a gritty funk that is pretty exclusive to this album out of the whole RHCP discography. Songs like Baby Appeal and Buckle Down are just plain fun to listen to. In general, it’s just a fun album to get up and jump around to.”

10. Freaky Styley (1985)

“Freak Styley contains its own distinctive tone than other RHCP albums even with the influence of funk. It is arguably one of their least popular and underrated albums in their entire discography. This Japanese import vinyl replica edition is a great collector’s item for any of RHCP’s fans out there.”

9. I’m With You (2011)

“This is a well-made record, beginning to end, with cleverly constructed songs that stick in your head. In fact, I would say that this is their most “complete” record since BSSM. The Frusciante fanboys will fervently (violently?) disagree, as they are want to do whenever anyone speaks ill of their hero, but who cares? Just listen to it on its own merits. It is an excellent recording.”

8. The Getaway (2016)

“This album is an amazing listen, and has a lot of specks that remind me of the I’m with You session releases. All of the tracks on this record are there with an important part, making the whole album mesh well. One song, The Hunter, has Josh playing the bass. It is a great piece of work, Josh blends so well with the rest of the guys that one could be fooled into thinking he has been there from the beginning. If you’re a long time Chilis fan, this album will remind of quite a bit of there previous work. BSSM, OHM, Californication, By The Way, Stadium Arcadium can all be heard here, with a vast amount of new.”

7. The Uplift Mofo Party Plan (1987)

“This is the only RHCP album that features the original line-up formed while they were in high school. The sound you’ll find here you cant get on any other album. With songs like “backwoods”, “Me and My Friends”, “No Chump Love Sucker” and “The Love trilogy” this CD hits hard and will leave you wanting more of this lineup that sadly would never be again.”

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6. One Hot Minute (1995)

“I’ve been listening to the chili peppers for a long time however, Ive always neglected purchasing this album simply because it didn’t seem like a true RHCP album without Frusciante. It is still a great album and I’ve listened to it quite a bit. You can hear that the album is lacking the sexual themes from previous albums and is more focus on depression, drug abuse and the repercussions of such. Any fan should have this album.”

5. Mother’s Milk (1989)

“RHCP Mothers Milk is overshadowed by the Hit Single that came from it Higher Ground. The rest of the album is met with technical musician ship and speedy licks throughout. In later years I feel it is an album that has been forgotten but should be re-visited to appreciate its expertise.”

4. Stadium Arcadium (2006)

“I’m a big fan of the chili peppers since i was a little boy. I bought this album on cd when it come out. Really good album, with a very inspiring John Frusciante on guitar and composition. But listening to it on vinyl is another different story. Mastered by Steve Hoffman specially for this format, you can hear sounds that were not there before, you can also listen to the volume differences by the accents that are made in the different parts of the songs. It is very rewarding to sit down to listen to the record for the first time and notice everything that you had lost before listening to it this way. Highly recommended!”

3. By the Way (2002)

“Anthony Kiedis said that the time recording this album was the happiest in his life and that is really reflected in the music. While themes of drugs are still present, there are no dark laments such as Under the Bridge. The music here is a lot more melodic and up beat. There is honestly not a bad song on here. The singles are all fantastic and the second half is incredibly underrated. Minor Thing is a catchy song about Dave Navarro and Venice Queen is a beautiful song, with a supper acoustic section, about his friend who died. However This is the Place is best songs here and one of my favorite of all time is This is the Place, which is about drug use in his fathers house growing up. Lyrically it paints a harrowing yet beautifully honest picture of what his life was like at the time and the line “On the day my best friend died I could not get my copper clean” is about when he couldn’t give up heroine when it killed the then guitarist Hillel Slovak is incredibly poignant. The consequence is one of the best albums of all time.”

2. Californication (1999)

“Love this album. Good range and variety of tracks. Back from when albums were still made as albums not just for download fodder. Really shows off the breadth they are capable of, and some tracks are in my favs lists on the ipod/spotify. Prefer this one only less then Blood Sugar Sex Magik in terms of the overall album and the fit of the songs.”

1. Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991)

“This is more melodic than the Red Hot Chili Pepper’s previous outings, but is still fueled by their signature funk and punk style. The lyrics are also more touching on a couple songs, but are still mostly about sex; Anthony Kiedis even mocks his own image in “Sir Psycho Sexy.” Guitarist John Frusciante left the band after this album, not to return for several years (and after a long period of addition and rehabilitation.) Consequently the band never sounded this good again.”