Californication - chillin at its best (Californication - Red Hot Chili Peppers)

Member Name: pmcds

Product:	Californication - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Date:	29/02/08 (26 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great album

Disadvantages: Half forgotten

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are one of the most celebrated and popular rock bands of the last 20 or so years. They formed in 1983, and are fronted by Anthony Kiedis. Their album 'Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magik' is probably their most cult album, and it is the one which I believ e is talked about the most.

'Californication' was released in 1999 following the band's reformation after guitarist John Frusciante nearly died due to drugs. It comprises 15 tracks, most notably its title track, 'Californication', which was released as a single and signified the band's return to the main stage. I find this album to be a bit more chilled than their other offerings, yet still stays true to the rock 'n' roll edge the Chilis have maintained throughout their career, albeit 'surfer' tagged!

These are the tracks:

1. Around The World
2. Parallel Universe
3. Scar Tissue
4. Otherside
5. Get On Top
6. Californication
7. Easily
8. Porcelain
9. Emit Remmus
10. I Like Dirt
11. This Velvet Glove
12. Savior
13. Purple Stain
14. Right On Time
15. Road Trippin'

The mix of tracks is very professionally done. The range of songs is mixed up between the tracks so the listener never settles into a tempo and gets bored. The variety is well organised from the heavy guitar and drum sounds of 'Get On Top' to the melodic 'Porcelain', which is so relaxing it could send you to sleep (this is NOT a criticism). The commercial success of the title track and of 'Around The World' combine with the other tracks perfectly, and you get the feeling that any of them could have been released as singles and would have made it as commercial successes in any number of genres of chart. 'Road Trippin'' is a lovely way to end the album on a mellow note.

If I had to have a criticism, it is that, although the album is wonderfully composed and the music is brilliant, the tracks can blend quite easily. The Chili's style is all that makes this occur, though, because they have a particular style that is instantly recognisable.

I think the album has, to a certain extent, been forgotten on the commercial scene. It is not as popular on sites such as ebay and amazon as other artists' albums at the same time, and you do not see it so regularly on the high street. This could be down to the Chilis' relative quiteness in recent years. They no lopnger explode with a smash hit on a regular basis, but I like this - I almost like them more for it.

I rate this album at 4 stars. It is great, but not one I listen to on a regular basis. However, when I do, I listen to it all the way through and enjoy it.

This album may also be posted on ciao.co.uk

The album is available on amazon.co.uk from £2.09 new and used.

Thanks for reading.

Summary: Great Chilis album - Californication (1999)