joe strummer

you demonstrate that you have paid little attention to my writing because I say "they give life to a fusion of wall of guitars and continuous invective perhaps even more convincing than the American band. The reasons for this greater strength probably lie in Rotten's rotten and damned singing, much more suitable for this type of music."

Well, the strength of Nevermind the Bollocks, I don't think many other punk bands had it. Then if you've read my review, I know very well what you're saying and indeed I dedicate the entire second part of my review to the consumeristic aspect of the album.

I wrote "they learn the lesson of the Ramones," but I should have/could have said the lesson of the New York Dolls, Stooges, etc. They were the first band that came to mind, especially for the wall of guitars and the ragged, filthy style (punk, indeed). Please, enough with this story.

But I've already given my opinion. It's you who wants to make the two groups seem completely different when they aren't. The Ramones introduced punk and the Pistols improved it, is that okay expressed like this?

you can't make that comparison. there isn't the same period of time between iron-metallica and ramones-pistols. I keep repeating that I never called the pistols the disciples of the ramones, only that they learned their punk lesson and for this we can call the ramones masters, but not "Masters of the pistols."

Instead, I think they have a lot in common; the punk movement is rooted in them, and you can't deny that conceptually they were similar; simplicity, anti-artistic music, indifference. Sure, the Ramones were carefree and the Pistols were rebellious, but the two worlds don't seem that far apart to me.

the problem is that the LESSON I’m talking about is not strictly musical. as for my writing style, well, I don’t know what to say, it’s a matter of perspective.

I never said that the Ramones were the masters of the Pistols. I said that they learned the lesson from the Ramones (i.e., simplicity, speed, disregard for musical appearance) better than the Ramones themselves. It doesn't mean that the Pistols are the disciples of the Ramones, just that they developed their musical concept in a broader and more existential way.

@pretazzo; you are right, but it's hard to say new things about such important records. @vivis, I'm glad I hit the mark.

My opinion is this: In 1999, after Frusciante's return, the Red Hot Chili Peppers were preparing to release an album four years after the previous one, but in truth, it had been eight years since that lineup worked together. This fact is quite noticeable, considering that "Californication" is an album of simple rock ballads, with some noteworthy electric moments and a few unsuccessful attempts to recapture the funk-rock of the past. The exception is the opening track: "Around The World" throws us like a tornado into the old world, with a well-established catchy appeal. It continues well with the rock of "Parallele Universe," melodic and tight enough. After a decent start, we are faced with the novelty of the work: the ballads. "Scar Tissue," with bittersweet tones, is the new superhit of the group, appreciable even if not very original. "Otherside" leans towards darker sounds while remaining very catchy. "Californication" is a representation of the world in which the four live; easy listening.
In the middle, we find "Get On Top," a mediocre track that at times feels ridiculous in its attempt to revisit funk. After this series of introspective yet well-crafted songs, the real gems of the album arrive; "Easily" is abrasive and evocative rock; "Emit Remmus," the track that stands out the most from the others, may be the best; empty melody, aggressive refrain, and finally a brilliant guitar. While "Porcelain" and "I Like Dirt" do nothing but bore, "Savior" presents interesting sonorities and "This Velvet Glove" offers one of the most successful choruses.
"Purple Stain" only exists for the drum finale, "Right On Time" is a fast funk, but feels plastic. The ending is unexpected and stunning; "Road Trippin'," a confession recited to the rhythm of guitar and strings; a track of total intimacy.
"Californication" is the absolute bestseller of the RHCP, often judged as a masterpiece when in reality it is just a catchy album, with good rock pieces and some style missteps. It remains a decent work, but I would hesitate to define it as superior to the two subsequent albums.