The Uplift Mofo Party Plan Tracklist
Released on September 29, 1987, The Uplift Mofo Party Plan is notable for being the only Red Hot Chili Peppers studio album to feature all four founding members on every track – Anthony Kiedis (vocals), Flea (bass), Hillel Slovak (guitar) and Jack Irons (drums).
Lyrically, the majority of The Uplift Mofo Party Plan focuses upon life in Los Angeles, sex, and relationships between band members. During the writing process, the reunion with Slovak and Irons had a great impact upon the jubilation in Kiedis’ songwriting. Personal experiences also played an important role: Hillel’s behaviour under the influence of cocaine inspired ”Skinny Sweaty Man,” the history of rock and roll is detailed in “Backwoods,” and a conversation with George Clinton during the recording of Freaky Styley is reflected in “Funky Crime”.
Upon its release, The Uplift Mofo Party Plan generated mixed reviews. Although critics often dismissed Kiedis’ lyrical humour and described much of the album as “hit-and-miss,” the album earned the Chili Peppers a dedicated Los Angeles fanbase. AllMusic praised the band’s efforts in a review:
The energy of having these four friends from Los Angeles back together jumps out of the opening anthem “Fight Like a Brave” and the experimental “Funky Crime” … Slovak and Irons brought things to the Chili Peppers that no one else ever has.
After returning from an extensive international tour in support of the album’s release, Slovak was found dead in his Hollywood apartment on June 27, 1988, due to a heroin overdose. Unable to cope with his friend’s death, Irons quit the band shortly after, and was replaced by Chad Smith in December 1988. The band also recruited guitarist John Frusciante to take over from his idol, Slovak.
