Red Hot Chili Peppers: off the map

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 them 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 is 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. --Phil Udell