Album of the Day

“Writing BY THE WAY ... was a whole different experience from CALIFORNICATION. John was back to himself and brimming with confidence,” noted Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis of the band's first album of the new millennium. Guitarist John Frusciante helps take the group in a new direction on the Warner Bros. set, with melodic writing and playing that drew from The Beach Boy, doo wop and ELP, among other influences. And while the Julian Schnabel cover design further underlines the 2002 collection's artistic ambitions, this is still a Chili Peppers album, with Rick Rubin's focused production, Kiedis' candid reflections on love and substance abuse and the bedrock rhythms of bassist Flea and drummer Chad Smith. With such singles as “The Zephyr Song,” “Can't Stop” and the title track, BY THE WAY reached Billboard's Top 10, and we'll give it another spin now to wish Smith a happy birthday.