This month, the Mental Jukebox revisits the movie soundtracks of the nineties. The music I’m highlighting are some of my personal favorites. In many cases, the movies themselves were huge for me as well. But the focus will still be on the music – as always. Let’s bring on the throwback classics, the grunge, the gangsta rap, and the indie gems. #31DaysOf90sMovieSongs
Movie: Coneheads
As a casual fan of the Chili Peppers, I’ve witnessed a band that was never uncertain of who they are, even as their sound evolved. Their roots were steeped in a funk rock that allowed everyone in the band to rock out hard. Flea’s frenetic and funky bass work on those pre-Mother’s Milk albums are impressive. By Mother’s Milk, the band lineup changed and things got a little more melodic with staples like the Stevie Wonder cover “Higher Ground” and the alt rock anthems “Taste the Pain” and “Knock Me Down”. By the time Blood Sugar Sex Magik and Californication rolled out, the funk elements were diminished considerably. But the band’s sound was still somehow 100% Chili Peppers. A critical part of the band’s evolution was the slowed down number “Soul To Squeeze”.
It’s significant that “Soul to Squeeze” has no ounce of funk in it from beginning to end. It’s bluesy and melodic. Its strength isn’t its rhythm, but its flow. Everyone in the band shines on this one, but the key word here is subtlety. Kiedis’ vocals flow freely and smoothly. Flea’s bass lines are understated, but beautifully melodic. Frusciante’s guitar ushers us into the fold in those first 20 seconds, then becomes an exercise in restraint. And Smith, he’s just keeping time. Subtlety is more than enough here.