"Off the Map" put all my doubts to bed. Frusciante plays his [behind] off. Just check out "If You Have to Ask". Shredding, but he's so much more than than just a shredder. Something magical happens when his Strat, through a Wah, hits a Marshall. It's the tone for sure and then his note selection and use of space that really sets him apart from "shredders". I had read recently in a guitar magazine interview that he's trying to change his style, henceforth the new, sparse approach he's used on the last two albums. It's pretty funny to watch actually. When they play the new songs his playing shifts dramatically to the new style he's developing.

And don't let me forget Chad Smith and Flea. They are powerhouses here. Flea's gone from slapmaster (oh, he can still slap!) to improvisor and it suits him well. Chad is like a rock holding John and Flea's improvisations together.

This is a fun and inspiring dvd. The only reason I don't give it a 5 star review is because it does falter here and there. But that's what you get when your live show isn't prerecorded canned [stuff] and you take musical risks. That where the fun happens with these guys.


Insightful, funky.   December 19, 2001
Jack McDonald (Bloomington, IL USA)
16 out of 18 found this review helpful

This DVD has almost everything I was hoping it would...obscure live songs, expected live songs, interesting behind-the-scenes footage, and a good show. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was the Flea/Anthony-centered editing job. Yes, they're colorful, but in a live show I want to watch John, primarily. Or, at least, I want to hear him upfront. This DVD is vocal/bass-led, and John's guitar doesn't lead, it just fits in. I feel this detracts from their sound. However, this is an excellent DVD, and I hope you buy it. You'll enjoy it.


one of my favorite concert films!   March 12, 2004
Funkwart (New York)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

unlike a previous viewer i prefer this to the slane castle dvd. i will qualify this by saying that both are excellent shows, and any dedicated fan will want both. when i watch a concert on dvd i don't really want to see the audience, who cares. off the map just seems a lot more intimate than slane. slane suffers from mtv style editing at times, especially in the beginning, flashing from shot to shot without letting me see the action. off the map is more artistic, shot by dick rude, and has tons of great long shots. having saw the peppers on both the californication and by the way tours, i think the by the way tour was significantly better, but with the presentation of slane the band can get lost at times among the editing and vast crowd. if you have to choose, get off the map if you like an intimate event focused on the band, get slane if you like the big rock and roll event. both are fantastic. oh yeah, and the special features for once on a dvd are fantastic. search and destroy!


Off The Map: Funky Monks at their ultimate best!   February 20, 2005
Petar Vodogaz (Sydney, NSW Australia)
8 out of 9 found this review helpful

The RHCP are those pesky funky monks that don't know when to quit, they're still around after all these years and good on them for sticking around when so many other bands would've packed up and faded away after all these years. Off The Map: The Concert DVD is actually one of the best concerts I have managed to buy. This concert was the final one in their popular 'Californication' tour. The DVD is great quality and goes for 2 hours. It can be viewed on DVD, DVD-ROM and Playstation compatible.

The DVD has also pre-show backstage footage as well as interviews with separate band members but what sells the DVD is actually the concert. 18 songs are included within the concert footage with many of the Californication album hits as well as some oldies from past albums. The funky monks are aging like fine wine and the result is better music delivery. There is also a section of additional live footage from the studio of Parallel Universe, I could have Lied, Search and Destroy.

A must get and see for any funky monks fan.


the funky monks are baaack!   December 11, 2004
E. Krachman (virginia)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

although the d.v.d has horrible lighting and skin tones are completely screwed up, the music is amazing. The jams, the funk, and the music is all really inspiring and amazing.
You'll find yourself completely rocking out to the tunes. They perform a lot of songs from "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" which made me very happy. Flea, in no contest, is the star of the concert, with amazing kick-butt energy, and his well received version of "pea" that he performs... John Frusciante also performs a very touching version of "Niadra Lades and Usually Just a Tshirt #3". I decided that I loved the dvd after a few watches, because it takes a while to grow. THey also perform many songs from "Californication," because that is the Cd they just performed. They also have a bonus interview, I believe, and it is very funny and touching, inteviewing the band members.
Off The Map is a Red HOt chili pepper must-have, and I enjoyed the heck out of it.. I watch it all the time! :)