Stadium Arcadium | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | May 5, 2006 | |||
Recorded | September 2004 – December 2005 | |||
Studio | The Mansion, Los Angeles ([Sound City]), Van Nuys, CA | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 122:19 | |||
Label | Warner Bros. | |||
Producer | Rick Rubin | |||
Red Hot Chili Peppers chronology | ||||
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Singles from Stadium Arcadium | ||||
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Stadium Arcadium is the ninth studio album by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers. It was a double-album, first released in Germany on May 5, 2006, and released on May 9, 2006 in the United States on Warner Bros. Records. [1] It produced five singles: "Dani California", "Tell Me Baby", "Snow (Hey Oh)", "Desecration Smile" and "Hump de Bump", along with the band's first fan-made music video, for the song "Charlie". In the United States, Stadium Arcadium became the band's first number-one album. Stadium Arcadium was originally scheduled to be a trilogy of albums each released six months apart, but was eventually condensed into a double album. [2]
The album was praised for integrating musical styles from several aspects of the band's career. [3] [4] The album gained the band seven Grammy Award nominations in 2007 including an award for Best Rock Album and one for Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package. Winning four out of seven Grammy Awards, [5] it was the most nominations that the band had garnered in their (at the time) 23 year career. Rolling Stone has included the album on its list of Best Albums of the 2000s. [6] Kiedis attributed the album's success to less abrasive dynamics within the band, saying that the band's "chemistry, when it comes to writing, is better than ever. There was always a struggle to dominate lyrically. But we are now confident enough in who we are, so everybody feels more comfortable contributing more and more valuable, quality stuff." [7]
After the culmination of the Stadium Arcadium tour, guitarist John Frusciante left the band in July 2009. It was his last album with the band until the release of Unlimited Love in 2022, more than a decade later.
After the release of the band's previous album, By the Way , the Red Hot Chili Peppers embarked on a world tour, from July 2002 to a mid-June 2004 date at London's Hyde Park. [8] The band later appeared at the 2004 Democratic National Convention [9] and at Rock am Ring to tie up their tour in support of By the Way. The band then settled down to begin recording its next album in September 2004 with producer Rick Rubin, with whom the band had recorded its previous four albums. [10]
The formation and recording of Stadium Arcadium took place at "The Mansion" where the Peppers had recorded their 1991 breakthrough Blood Sugar Sex Magik . [11] Given the house's reputation for being "haunted," guitarist John Frusciante recalled that he felt "there were beings of higher intelligence controlling what I was doing, and I didn’t know how to talk about it or explain it...it was very clear to me that the music was coming from somewhere other than me." [12] However, Kiedis noted that during the recording process of the album "everybody was in a good mood. There was very little tension, very little anxiety, very little weirdness going on and every day we showed up to this funky room in the Valley, and everyone felt more comfortable than ever bringing in their ideas." [13] The band originally wanted to create an "old-fashioned Meet the Beatles -like record", and to keep the number of songs down to about 12, to make "a small, digestible piece of art." [10] They ended up writing 28 new songs, with Rubin producing all tracks.
Described as a funk rock [14] [15] and alternative rock [16] album, Stadium Arcadium combines many aspects of musical style from throughout the band's career, with many fans and critics welcoming the return of the band's signature funk sound and the use of power chords after their significant absence from By the Way. John Frusciante said in 2006, "I didn't want to necessarily have songs that were just heavy metal songs the whole way through, but I wanted to have a certain amount of songs that had choruses that were just heavy metal riffs." [17]
It was also noted that Frusciante's playing style had changed from his signature 'less is more' style, inspired by punk and new-wave guitarists, to a more flashy approach, not seen extensively in his playing since Mother's Milk, his first album with the band; drawing influence from guitarists such as Eddie Van Halen, Tony Iommi (of Black Sabbath), Jimi Hendrix and Steve Vai to even hip-hop artists such as Wu-Tang Clan. While he received moderate acclaim before Stadium Arcadium, this change in style gained him far more recognition than before. Frusciante's approach to guitar on Stadium Arcadium was influenced by progressive rock group The Mars Volta and R&B singer Brandy. Of Brandy, Frusciante says "she's doing something different, she's doing so many vocals that there is never a space. Whenever one voice stops, another one does something in its place. There's very little space, and there are so many vocal parts that are breathy, you don't know what you're listening to. There is so much going on, you can't hear her voice with your conscience, you have to hear it with your subconscience.[sic] Some of them have a watery sound, then metallic, she really creates a lot of dimension with her voice. I'm impressed with that." Of The Mars Volta, Kiedis states: "John's always had an understated confidence, but he likes being loud now, and part of that came from hanging out with The Mars Volta. Omar Rodríguez-López is such a rocker that John was like, 'It's time I let it all hang out.' Being at the forefront, going for the heavy blistering guitar in your face: John's always been capable of that. But he didn't feel it. Now he feels it." [18] Rodriguez-Lopez appears on the album, performing a guitar solo on the track "Especially in Michigan". Frusciante subsequently appeared on The Mars Volta's next three studio albums and performed a few times live with them as well. Frusciante would also go on to release a joint studio album with Rodriguez-Lopez, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez & John Frusciante , in May 2010.
Frusciante also began layering his guitar playing, something he had not done before (many layered guitar parts appeared on Mother's Milk, but this was mostly because of the insistence of the producer, although it was against John's will); he also used a modular synthesizer on many songs after doing so on his 2004 album Shadows Collide with People . While Frusciante was pleased to have used the modular synthesizer on the album, he admitted that when the band began rehearsing for the tour, it was frustrating because many of the songs sounded empty without it. This meant the band had to rework many of the songs to perform them live.
That thing at the end of Wet Sand – where the guitars come in and sound like a harpsichord – they’re just the treble pickup of a Stratocaster, three tracks in harmony with one another, playing that same riff you hear in the first part of the cycle of that section. But I recorded it with the tape slowed down, so that when it’s sped up it sounds like a harpsichord.
When I went home and listened to Burning Of The Midnight Lamp by Jimi Hendrix it had the same sound and, despite the Jimi Hendrix box set saying it was a harpsichord, I’m positive it’s a guitar that’s sped up.
Unlike By the Way , where bass player Flea was displeased with what he felt was Frusciante dominating the songwriting, Stadium Arcadium saw both Flea and Frusciante on even footing in the writing process. [20]
According to Kiedis, the album is musically and lyrically influenced by the various relationships the band members were experiencing at the time of its conception. Kiedis states that "love and women, pregnancies and marriages, relationship struggles – those are real and profound influences on this record. And it's great, because it wasn't just me writing about the fact that I'm in love. It was everybody in the band. We were brimming with energy based on falling in love." [21]
Kiedis recalled that the band "wanted to [release all 38 songs] on three separate discs that [would] be released in installments...something about those songs made us really like each one. However, by the time we planned to release the third installment in two years, we’ll be writing new music." [10] This was the impetus for the band to pare those songs down to 28, a process Kiedis described as "heartwrenching." [10] Nine of the unused songs have been released as B-sides. He explained the reasoning behind the decision to name the album "Stadium Arcadium" by saying that it had more "variety and verve compared to its predecessors [and] we each have things we do best and it’s all in there. Everybody played their part and expressed their creativity to the max." [10]
To date, 37 of the 38 songs recorded have been released. During pre-album interviews, many of the songs were known by alternate/working titles: "Early Eighties" ("Strip My Mind"), "Forty Detectives" and "Ghost Dance 2000" ("Hump de Bump"), "Wu-Tang" ("Dani California"), "Funkadelicish to Me" ("She's Only 18"), "Fela Funk" ("We Believe") and "Public Enemy" ("Storm in a Teacup"). [22] The vinyl version of the album contains an alternate guitar solo on "Especially in Michigan" and also released was a promotional instrumental version of the album, mostly given to radio and TV stations for on-air play. [23]
Title | Source |
---|---|
"Million Miles of Water" | "Dani California" CD1 |
"Whatever We Want" | "Dani California" CD2 |
"Lately" | |
"A Certain Someone" | "Tell Me Baby" CD1 |
"Mercy Mercy" | "Tell Me Baby" CD2 |
"Funny Face" | "Snow ((Hey Oh))" |
"I'll Be Your Domino" | |
"Joe" | "Desecration Smile" CD1 |
"Save This Lady" | "Desecration Smile" CD2 |
Stadium Arcadium sold 442,000 copies in the United States in its first week and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 making it the band's first number one debut in their career. [24] In its second week, the album remained at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 157,000 copies (down 65 percent). [25] In Canada, the double album debuted at #1 on the Canadian Albums Chart, selling 64,000 copies in its first week. [26]
"Dani California" spent fourteen weeks at number one on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart and is one of three songs in the history of the chart to debut at number one. [27] [28]
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 73/100 [29] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [30] |
Entertainment Weekly | B+ [31] |
The Guardian | [32] |
Los Angeles Times | [33] |
MSN Music (Consumer Guide) | B− [34] |
NME | 7/10 [35] |
Pitchfork | 4.7/10 [36] |
Q | [37] |
Rolling Stone | [38] |
Uncut | [39] |
Stadium Arcadium received generally favorable reviews. Rolling Stone critic Brian Hiatt deemed it the band's best album to date and noted Kiedis' growth as a singer and songwriter: "the guy [Kiedis] who once yelped, 'I want to party on your pussy!' whisper-sings a gentler, though not unrelated, proposition: 'All I want is for you to be happy/And take this moment to make you my family.' The delicate 'Hard to Concentrate' is the most vulnerable Peppers tune ever—a full-on marriage proposal from Anthony Kiedis, with Flea's muted bass and John Frusciante's layered guitars slow-dancing over Afrobeat hand drums." [38] The magazine later ranked it as the second-best album released in 2006, behind Modern Times by Bob Dylan. Q magazine said it was one of the year's best albums, [37] while Andrew Perry of The Observer stated it was "relentless, purposeful, as moreish as McDonald's... mainstream America in excelsis." [40] Josh Kun of Los Angeles Times wrote that "they've never sounded this good as musicians. The use of analog tape lends a raw, organic touch to the whole album and the Chili Peppers come off more assured and confident than they ever did back when they made a career out of bragging." [33] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic was more reserved in his praise, finding the album overproduced and self-indulgent despite the presence of "something pretty great and lean buried beneath the excess". [30] Pitchfork critic Rob Mitchum wrote that the album "is split between slightly askew mid-tempo pop and regrettable relapses into funk and muso noodling". [36]
A problem often pointed out by audiophiles is Vlado Meller's mastering for the CD release. It can be regarded as a product of the loudness war, with heavy use of dynamic range compression, and suffering of frequent clipping. [41] The vinyl was mastered by Steve Hoffman and Kevin Gray.
In May 2006 the Chili Peppers announced that they would be touring Europe in May through July, followed by 26 dates in the US and Canada from August to November. Josh Klinghoffer, friend of John Frusciante, and multi-instrumentalist joined the band on tour in 2007 (Klinghoffer would replace Frusciante two years later as the band's lead guitarist until 2019, after which Frusciante rejoined the band). [42] [43] Rolling Stone named it "Most Anticipated Summer Tour" in an online poll. [42] The Mars Volta were the opening act. The band also headlined the Voodoo Music Festival in New Orleans. [43]
Artist Storm Thorgerson, known for providing seminal album artwork for numerous bands including Pink Floyd, T. Rex, Audioslave, The Mars Volta, and Muse, was asked to create the cover art for Stadium Arcadium. Thorgerson provided at least three possible covers for the album, however, his ideas were ultimately rejected and a simple cover featuring yellow "Superman" lettering and a blue background with planets was used instead.
The inside artwork of the album featured a band portrait, another band portrait recreating the classic cover of the Odds & Sods by the Who as well as images of the band floating and on fire.
All songs written by Red Hot Chili Peppers.
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Dani California" | 4:42 |
2. | "Snow (Hey Oh)" | 5:34 |
3. | "Charlie" | 4:37 |
4. | "Stadium Arcadium" | 5:15 |
5. | "Hump de Bump" | 3:33 |
6. | "She's Only 18" | 3:25 |
7. | "Slow Cheetah" | 5:19 |
8. | "Torture Me" | 3:44 |
9. | "Strip My Mind" | 4:19 |
10. | "Especially in Michigan" | 4:00 |
11. | "Warlocks" | 3:25 |
12. | "C'mon Girl" | 3:48 |
13. | "Wet Sand" | 5:09 |
14. | "Hey" | 5:39 |
Total length: | 62:29 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Desecration Smile" | 5:01 |
2. | "Tell Me Baby" | 4:07 |
3. | "Hard to Concentrate" | 4:01 |
4. | "21st Century" | 4:22 |
5. | "She Looks to Me" | 4:06 |
6. | "Readymade" | 4:30 |
7. | "If" | 2:52 |
8. | "Make You Feel Better" | 3:52 |
9. | "Animal Bar" | 5:24 |
10. | "So Much I" | 3:44 |
11. | "Storm in a Teacup" | 3:45 |
12. | "We Believe" | 3:36 |
13. | "Turn It Again" | 6:06 |
14. | "Death of a Martian" | 4:24 |
Total length: | 59:50 Total: 122:19 |
Credits adapted from AllMusic. [44]
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Additional musicians
Recording personnel
Additional personnel
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Argentina (CAPIF) [114] | Platinum | 40,000^ |
Australia (ARIA) [115] | 3× Platinum | 210,000^ |
Austria (IFPI Austria) [116] | Platinum | 30,000* |
Belgium (BEA) [117] | Platinum | 50,000* |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [118] | Platinum | 60,000* |
Canada (Music Canada) [119] | 4× Platinum | 400,000^ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [120] | 4× Platinum | 80,000‡ |
Finland (Musiikkituottajat) [121] | Gold | 21,159 [121] |
France (SNEP) [122] | Platinum | 200,000* |
Germany (BVMI) [123] | 3× Platinum | 600,000‡ |
Greece (IFPI Greece) [56] | Platinum | 15,000^ |
Hungary (MAHASZ) [124] | Gold | 5,000^ |
Ireland (IRMA) [125] | 4× Platinum | 60,000^ |
Italy sales in 2006 | — | 180,000 [126] |
Italy (FIMI) [127] sales since 2009 | Platinum | 50,000‡ |
Japan (RIAJ) [128] | 2× Platinum | 500,000^ |
Netherlands (NVPI) [129] | Platinum | 70,000^ |
New Zealand (RMNZ) [130] | 3× Platinum | 45,000^ |
Poland (ZPAV) [131] | Platinum | 20,000* |
Portugal (AFP) [132] | Gold | 10,000^ |
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [133] | Gold | 40,000^ |
Sweden (GLF) [134] | Gold | 30,000^ |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) [135] | 2× Platinum | 60,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [136] | 3× Platinum | 900,000‡ |
United States (RIAA) [137] | 4× Platinum | 4,000,000‡ |
Summaries | ||
Europe (IFPI) [138] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000* |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Region | Date | Format |
---|---|---|
Germany | May 5, 2006 | CD |
United Kingdom | May 8, 2006 | |
Australia | May 9, 2006 | |
Canada | ||
Japan | ||
Poland | ||
United States | ||
New Zealand | May 15, 2006 |
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1982, comprising vocalist Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea, drummer Chad Smith, and guitarist John Frusciante. Their music incorporates elements of alternative rock, funk, punk rock, hard rock, hip hop, and psychedelic rock. Their eclectic range has influenced genres such as funk metal, rap metal, rap rock, and nu metal. With over 120 million records sold worldwide, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are one of the top-selling bands of all time. They hold the records for most number-one singles (15), most cumulative weeks at number one (91) and most top-ten songs (28) on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. They have won three Grammy Awards, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012, and in 2022 received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
John Anthony Frusciante is an American musician and the guitarist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He has released 11 solo albums and 7 EPs, ranging in style from acoustic guitar to electronic music. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2012. Rolling Stone named Frusciante among the greatest guitarists of all time.
Blood Sugar Sex Magik is the fifth studio album by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on September 24, 1991, by Warner Bros. Records. Produced by Rick Rubin, its musical style differed notably from the band's previous album Mother's Milk (1989), reducing the use of heavy metal guitar riffs and accentuating the melodic songwriting contributions of guitarist John Frusciante. The album's subject matter incorporates sexual innuendos and references to drugs and death, as well as themes of lust and exuberance.
One Hot Minute is the sixth studio album by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on September 12, 1995, by Warner Bros. Records. The worldwide success of the band's previous album Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991) caused guitarist John Frusciante to become uncomfortable with their popularity, eventually quitting mid-tour in 1992. Following a series of short-term replacements, the band hired guitarist Dave Navarro in 1993; it was his only studio album with the band. Recording for the album took place at the Sound Factory in Hollywood from June 1994 to February 1995. It marked the second collaboration between the band and producer Rick Rubin.
By the Way is the eighth studio album by the American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released July 9, 2002, on Warner Bros. Records. It sold more than 286,000 copies in its first week, and peaked at number two on the Billboard 200. Singles included "By the Way", "The Zephyr Song", "Can't Stop" and "Universally Speaking". Additionally, "Dosed" was released as a promotional single in the US and Canada. The lyrical subject matter vocalist Anthony Kiedis addresses in By the Way is a divergence from previous Red Hot Chili Peppers albums, with Kiedis taking a more candid and reflective approach to his lyrics.
Greatest Hits is the second greatest hits album and second compilation album by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on Nov. 18, 2003, by Warner Bros. Records. Aside from their cover of "Higher Ground", all songs on the album are from the band's tenure on Warner Bros. Records from 1991 to 2002, in addition to two newly recorded songs.
"Under the Bridge" is a song by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers and the eleventh track on their fifth studio album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991). It was released in March 1992 by Warner Bros. Records. Vocalist Anthony Kiedis wrote the lyrics while reflecting on loneliness and the struggles of being clean from drugs, and almost did not share it with the band.
Californication is the seventh studio album by U.S. rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on June 8, 1999, on Warner Bros. Records. It was produced by Rick Rubin. Along with Blood Sugar Sex Magik, Californication is one of the band’s best-selling albums.
"Dani California" is a song from American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers' ninth studio album, Stadium Arcadium (2006). The single was first made available at the iTunes Music Store and was officially released on April 28, 2006. The international radio premiere was on April 3, 2006, when Don Jantzen, from the Houston radio station KTBZ-FM, played "Dani California" continuously for his entire three-hour program.
Since 1983, the American funk rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers has released 13 studio albums, two live albums, 12 compilation albums, 11 video albums, five extended plays, 66 singles, and 53 music videos. To date, the band has sold over 120 million albums worldwide. According to the RIAA the Chili Peppers have 6x Multi-Platinum, 2x Platinum and 3x Gold albums in the US, totalling 27.5m. They also have 9x Multi-Platinum, 3x Platinum and 4x Gold singles too, totalling 40m. They have been nominated for 19 Grammy Awards, of which they have won 6. They have the most no.1 singles (15), the most cumulative weeks at no.1 (91) and most top-10 songs (28) on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart.
"Tell Me Baby" is a song from the Red Hot Chili Peppers' ninth studio album Stadium Arcadium. The song was released as the follow-up to the hit single "Dani California" on July 17, 2006. The single was not as successful as their prior single "Dani California" nor their next single "Snow " as far as chart success, but did reach number one on the Billboard Modern Rock chart and remained there for four weeks making it the band's second straight number one on that chart from Stadium Arcadium and tenth number one overall.
"Snow (Hey Oh)" (occasionally stylized as "Snow ((Hey Oh))") is a song by American band Red Hot Chili Peppers from their 2006 double album, Stadium Arcadium. The song was released as the follow-up single to "Tell Me Baby" in 2006, and became the band's third straight number one hit on the Billboard Modern Rock chart, a spot it held for five straight weeks. The single was their 11th to top that chart, setting a record they still hold, extended in 2016 to 13 number ones.
"Desecration Smile" is a song from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and was on their 2006 double album, Stadium Arcadium. The song was the fourth single released from the album.
"Hump de Bump" is a song by the Red Hot Chili Peppers from their 2006 double album, Stadium Arcadium. The song is the fifth and final single released from Stadium Arcadium and the last single the band would release with John Frusciante until "Black Summer" in 2022, as he had quit the band in 2009 before returning in 2019. Originally expected to be the fourth single for the US, Canada and Australia, the Red Hot Chili Peppers decided to make the single and video a worldwide release thanks to the positive feedback on the video, which was directed by comedian and good friend Chris Rock. The single was released in the US on April 7, 2007 while it was released May 10, 2007 in the rest of the world.
The discography of John Frusciante, who is best known as the guitarist of the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, consists of thirteen solo albums, two internet only release albums, seven EPs, as well as two albums with collaborators Joe Lally and Josh Klinghoffer under the name Ataxia and two EPs and three studio albums under the alias of Trickfinger. After recording Mother's Milk and Blood Sugar Sex Magik, Frusciante left the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1992 when he got tired of the growing success of the band. He released his first solo album, Niandra LaDes and Usually Just a T-Shirt, in 1994 on American Recordings. His second record, Smile From the Streets You Hold, was released in 1997 and later taken off the market at his request in 1999. After returning to the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1998, Frusciante recorded Californication with the band and subsequently released his third solo album, To Record Only Water for Ten Days, in February 2001 on Warner Music Group.
I'm with You is the tenth studio album by the American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers. The album was released by Warner Bros. Records on August 26, 2011, in Europe and on August 29, 2011, in the United States. The album made its debut at number one in 18 countries including the United Kingdom, while reaching number two in the United States and Canada.
The Getaway is the eleventh studio album by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released through Warner Bros. on June 17, 2016. The band's first studio album since 2011's I'm with You, it was produced by Danger Mouse, who replaced Rick Rubin after 25 years and six albums as the band's producer. This is the band's second and final album with guitarist Josh Klinghoffer before the return of John Frusciante in 2019, with Rubin also returning soon thereafter.
"Black Summer" is a song by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers and is the first single from their twelfth studio album, Unlimited Love. The single was released on February 4, 2022, and it was their first song in 16 years to feature guitarist John Frusciante, following his return to the band in 2019.
Unlimited Love is the twelfth studio album by the American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released through Warner Records on April 1, 2022. Produced by Rick Rubin, the album marks the return of guitarist John Frusciante, who left the band in 2009 and rejoined in 2019. A second full studio album, Return of the Dream Canteen, was recorded during the same sessions and was released on October 14, 2022.
Return of the Dream Canteen is the thirteenth studio album by the American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on October 14, 2022, through Warner Records as a double LP and single CD. Produced by Rick Rubin, it was recorded during the same sessions as the band's previous studio album, Unlimited Love, released earlier in 2022.
...mix of funk-rock stadium anthems, strummy acoustic ballads and catchy choruses suitable...
...mammoth double CD, "Stadium Arcadium," putting the Chili Peppers back near the top of the alternative-rock ranks
{{cite magazine}}
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