Red Hot Chili Peppers
Californication

THE REVIEW

In the last 15 years, Red Hot Chili Peppers have released only 4 albums: in 1991 the funk/crossover masterpiece "Blood Sugar Sex Magik", in 1995 (with Navarro replacing Frusciante) the rock/metal of "One Hot Minute", in 2002 the unforgettable (in a negative sense) "By The Way". Among the last 2 is this "Californication" (with the return of Frusciante), an intermediary album between the underground of "BSSSM" and "OHM" and the sellout of "BTW". Indeed, this album still has worthy glimpses of the real Red Hot, but some very "catchy" episodes are already present.

Hardly had time begun and the great Flea hits us without warning with the first bass solo, followed by a liberating scream of Anthony and John Frusciante's guitar and Chad's drums. "Around the World" seems to come directly from an old album, thanks to the work of all 4 guys. A great track in full funk style. It's followed by "Parallel Universe" with rather calm verses and very powerful choruses dominated by guitars. However, not bad! And indeed it couldn't continue like this because here comes the horrid "Scar Tissue". I'm now nauseated by how many times I've heard it, better not to comment. "Otherside" continues along the lines of the previous one, but slightly darker; I would only save the ending. "Get on Top" is another funk track that tries to imitate "Around the World" without succeeding, really bad. And so we come to the title track, which isn't bad at all; smoothly transitioning from the verses, where Anthony's singing is very expressive and the rhythmic section gives a relaxed atmosphere, to the very engaging chorus, to John's solos. Follows "Easily", a quite rhythmic rock-funk with Anthony and John in the spotlight followed by the lullaby "Porcelin".
Not bad, it seems we've regained it, but unfortunately, it's not so. "Emit Remmus" and "I Like Dirt" are as useful as the third goalkeeper at the World Cup; on the contrary, track 11, the semi-ballad "This Velvet Glove", is very evocative with an acoustic guitar in the background in the verses and a chorus where the bass and guitar with drums create the ideal base for Anthony's singing, very expressive. Follows the beautiful "Savior", with a very paced initial part followed by another where Anthony with his usual beautiful voice and John with his falsetto chase each other over a background of bells, followed by another beautiful solo by John. Closing the album, we find the funky "Purple Stain", the useless "Right on Time", and the very sad "Road Trippin'" played without drums, but with acoustic guitars and an organ.

I didn't want to talk about the lyrics, devoid of the typical cheerfulness to which the Peppers had accustomed us. Californication is thus an album that contains some great songs (Around the World, Californication, Savior, Road Trippin') but alternates with compositions that make you nostalgic for the old days.