Everything aligns for the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ latest album, “Unlimited Love”, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts, the band’s second time at the top.
The Chili Peppers reunited with their former guitarist, John Frusciante, for the album. He has been in and out of the band since 1988 – with his most recent departure following the tour “Stadium Arcadium” (2006), the group’s last album to go to No. 1. “Unlimited Love” also brought the band back. In the studio with Rick Rubin, who has produced most of the Chili Peppers’ albums since 1991, but not its most recent, “The Getaway” (2016, with Danger Mouse).
And if there was an award for the most unusual promotional appearance, it might go to a recent one by the band’s unique bassist Flea, who performed a lungy, psychic-funk solo instrumental version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the Lakers. The Nuggets game on April 3. (Whether this resulted in sales or streams of “Unlimited Love”? Who knows, but it’s a must-see for any Chili Peppers fan.)
In its first week, “Unlimited Love” had the equivalent of 97,500 sales in the United States, according to tracking service Luminet, formerly known as MRC Data. That total includes 19 million streams – modest for a No. 1 album these days – as well as 82,500 copies sold as a complete package, 38,500 of them on vinyl. (On next week’s charts, Jack White’s “Fear of the Dawn” is also expected to hit a big vinyl number.)
Also, this week, “7220”, by Chicago rapper Lil Durk, is No. The “Encanto” soundtrack is number 3, with Morgan Wallen’s “Dangerous: The Double Album” at number 4 in its 65th week. charts – every week but one of the times in the top 10 – and Olivia Rodrigo’s “Sour” is No.
