Customer Reviews

Californication (Bonus Tracks)

5 star:		(596)
4 star:		(176)
3 star:		(50)
2 star:		(35)
1 star:		(28)

 

 

I've been a fan of RHCP ever since my older sister came home after a trip to L.A. clutching a copy of Freaky Styley on cassette (she also had Nothing's Shocking on cassette, but that's another review ). I had never heard anything like it before and I've been following the group ever since.

Californication, in my opinion, is their best effort to date for a lot of reasons. The songwriting is solid and soulful. The musicianship is tight and spontaneous. Anthony Kiedis has never sounded better. John Frusciante is back in the fold and his playing is sublime perfection. Flea's bass playing is melodic, spastic and as driving as ever. Chad Smith keeps the beat and tempo running throughout. Californication is the result of a band communicating with each other on a higher musical plane.

The whole album is rock solid, but standout tracks worth mentioning include Scar Tissue, Californication, Savior, Easily, Road Trippin' and the beautiful Other Side. Parallel Universe arguably contains one of the top ten guitar solos of the year.

If you don't own this album you're missing something special. Buy it today.

This album is my favorite in my collection by a landslide. Songs like "Around the World" revive some of the familiar vibes, while ballads like "Scar Tissue," "Otherside," and "Road Trippin'" have something extra special injected in them that makes you want to listen to them over and over... and over.. and over. ^_^ A suprising addition is "Porcelain," which seems as if the guys are singing you a lullaby (awww...). It's a beautiful little diddy. "Savior"'s an incredible song, with tight drums, strong bass, great vocals, and fantastic guitar.

Anthony Kiedis's unique vocals are even better than before and create the driving, flowing, upbeat frontal sound. John Frusciante's guitar sings in every essence of the word. Flea lends more valuble energy to the music, he handles the bass skillfully, and everytime I hear it's rhythms and melodies it makes me happy happy-- to the point where I want to play bass like Flea (even though I can't play the bass guitar... yet... but that isn't the point). The great thing about the Chili Peppers is their bass isn't hidden behind scores of other instruments-- it's right up front and it deserves it too. Chad Smith's percussion drives the songs. This may sound strange, but personally, I live to hear the duh-duh duh-duh duh rhythm at the beginning of "Savior." It just whips the llama() ... I'm telling you. Teehee.

My recommendation is: purchase this CD. Even if you have to jack it off your friends. (One of them HAS to have it, right?) There will most likely be at least ONE song you'll absolutely love if you aren't a RHCP fan. And if you are a fan, eat the album up. Eat it ALLL up.

After problems with band members throughout the 1990's, the Red Hot Chili Peppers saw the decade out in 1999 with their now-classic seventh studio album "Californication." Many people call this album a masterpiece - but it is so much more. The first Chili Peppers album I bought was 2002's "By The Way," which I absolutely adored. It was my second favourite album of the year, and is still my favourite album by this band. Over time though Californication could change all that.

This album was a huge success upon its initial release and went multi-platinum all over the world. The music from the Chili Peppers had evolved slightly. They were no longer young twenty-something guys, but in their thirties and a changed was inevitable. This is reflected in their music and the way it is performed more so than before. From the opening song on the album you're taken on a roller coaster ride of funk rock-pop. The guitars are as loud as before, but the melodies just carry on getting better forming some real classics along the way.

"All Around The World" is the perfect opening to an album. A loud shout and hectic guitars make way for the funky rapping before the harmonic chorus and backing vocals. Anthony Kiedis' vocals are on top form on this explosive album highlight. "Parallel Universe" continues the funky trend with a high-octane bass and a fuzzy distorted chorus. It's not only an album highlight, but a career highlight as it's different to anything they've ever done before. "Scar Tissue" changes the pace dramatically. This hit single is a beautiful, calming and wonderfully melodic rock ballad. The vocals are soft and understated, and the beat just sways. My only complaint is that it's a bit too short. "Otherside" is another album highlight. The chorus is instantly ear-catching and the beat is incredibly strong and driving. It's the kind of song you can listen to over and over.

"Get On Top" returns us out of that soft and atmospheric nature of the last two songs, with driving guitars and funky beats. The funk on this album being different to all their other albums is clearly evident here, as it has a superbly melancholy tone. "Californication," the album's title track, is nothing short of a masterpiece. The guitars and drums on this song give it such a visual and atmospheric feel to it. It's so ethereal and majestic, with soaring vocals and the computer-game video was so amazing. "Easily" picks up on the rock feel once more, and is a stand out because it's so simple and addictive at the same time. "Porcelain" is probably the most hated song on this album by a lot of fans, but I like it a lot. It's the most simple and subdued song on the album, and also one of the shortest. Shows a diverse side to the Chili Peppers.

"Emit Remmus" is another superb song on the album, with a superb and stand out chorus. All the choruses on this album just stand out, and the one on this song is no exception. "I Like Dirt" picks up the funk trend once more, but is different to most of the other songs on this album. It's not the best song on the album and somewhat of a disappointment being surrounded by all these amazing songs. "This Velvet Glove" has some amazing lyrics, that are so simple yet extremely thought-provoking. The Chili Peppers create a mid-tempo rock classic here. It's an album highlight and one of my favourites. "Savior" is a song written clearly about John Frusciante re-joining the band. The song has a different variation to the rest of the songs and ends wonderfully.

"Purple Stain" has a great bass and the melody is incredibly memorable. I don't like the lyrics much, but the guitars make up for it. "Right On Time" is a pretty light-hearted song with a fair bass and some very funky lyrics. You can't even understand what Kiedis is singing about unless you read the lyrics on the inlay, but the song is so short at under two minutes that it doesn't really matter. After the abrupt ending of the last track, "Road Trippin'" picks it up. This is a slow and soothing song which is very vivid and has some great melodies. It's a great song to end such a superb album.

OVERALL GRADE: 9/10

The release of By The Way in 2002 saw many new fans embrace the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I was one of them. I knew who they were before, but just didn't seem exposed to them enough. As you grow older your musical taste changes and for me, a following of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' music was to be expected. I bought Californication a few weeks back, and I adore it. I knew most of the songs before because I listened to my friend's copy for ages, so I knew I would love it. This album is always sitting rather high in people's all-time favourite lists, and I'm sure that it'll be in yours if you buy it today! An essential purchase.

I am very angry at the engineering. This is by far my favorite album by RHCP, I love the music, but the engineering sounds like the range has been compressed a few dozen times. You can't turn the music up without hearing the voice clipping, the cymbals buzzing, or the guitar's clean distortion turning into nasty muddy sounds. The clipping in the voice is worst on the intro to Otherside.

My last hope is that some day this will be remastered with less compression, until then, I advise you don't buy this album.

Man, I am totally engulfed by this CD. It is spectacular in every way. There is rock, funk, ballads, all blending perfectly together to Easily become the Peppers best, and heartfelt effort ever. While I was dismayed by the hard to swallow One Hot Minute, it was good but doesn't flow like Californication and is cohesive as the latter either. Bringing back aboard John Frusciante was a plus, giving back new life into this band that provided such monster classics Mother's Milk and Bloog Sugar. Frusciante's guitar is more lustful, peaceful and emotional, sweeping across your brain waves taking you to beautiful places unlike where as BSSM and Mother's Milk he was more forceful and metallic. Anthony Kiedis is at the top of his game lyrically as well, and Flea flows with the guitar instead of fighting it like it sounded on One Hot Minute with Dave Navaroj. The entire album is a masterwork but my definite highlight is Otherside, quite possibly their best ever song. But other highlights are Around the World, I Like Dirt, Scar Tissue, Road Trippin' and Parrell Universe. It's a dreamer of an trip even if it exploits the dark side of California

Guitarist John Frusciante is back for this release, and while some ignortantly say Dave Navarro was better, the majority will agree that John is the one who just plain "belongs". I didn't like the new sound of their last album, One Hot Minute, but John's welcome presence is felt in their latest CD. Bittersweet melodies like "Scar Tissue" (the lyrics are "With the birds I share this lonely view" for those wondering), "Road Trippin'", and the FLAWLESS "Californication" highlight this worthy collection of songs by Kiedis and company. "Savior" and "Easily" also stand out. The album's glaring weakness is a few songs that were seemingly slapped in at the last minute. These songs, namely -- "I Like Dirt", "Right on Time", "Get on Top", and maybe some others -- add nothing to the album as a whole and revert back to past releases and leave me thinking, "Hasn't this been done?" Nonetheless, the RHCP capitalize enough on what works to make this CD worth its dollar amount.

A blend of everything that is American music comes together in the Red Hot Chili Peppers. As the millenium closed and rock was dying, out came Scar Tissue. Spewing blood and past memories on the floor, a group of former heroin-junkies released a tired salsa-flavored pop-rock tune. At first scoffed at, it caught on to symbolize something much more than the Red Hot Chili Peppers. It symbolized an America that was looking over its shoulder scared and running from something.

Even though America looked back with Scar Tissue, it gave the Peppers hope. The album that wasn't supposed to sell started to sell. The ... Red Hot Chili Peppers had written an album's worth of morose twisted tales with equally enchanting, and beautiful drumming, basslines, and guitar work.

Anthony Kiedis deserves props for the lyric sheet to Scar Tissue alone. Added onto that "Other Side" and "Californication" and Kiedis became the poet laurette for rock music in 1999.... On this album though, [Guitarist Jon Frusciante] takes it one step further. He becomes a certifiable rock God, that all guitarists should look to to copy.

Flea is just the best bassist out there. Only Sting and Paul McCartney have had a bigger impact on modern music using the bass.

The drummer Chad Smith deserves props because he never had an ... addiction and stuck with the three above nutcases. He also is just a bruising, great drummer.

This CD is a river of nightmares, but also of dreams, it is ultimately the Chili Peppers exorcism into the new millenium. A fitting end and a great beginning.

This review may be a little after the fact... I've had this album for a year or so now, and I'm finding more and more reason to like it every day. It's probably the best Chilli Peppers CD since "Mothers Milk" and quite possibly the best ever. The musicianship is just stunning. Everyone is in top form and the band is really locked into a rock-solid groove. "Parallel Universe", the title track, and "Scar Tissue" are absolute classics... and, there isn't a truly weak song on the record (unlike "one hot minute" which had its moments but also sagged badly in spots). This is one of the most exciting rock albums I've heard in years... or ever, for that matter. They sound very mature but not washed up. It's the maturity that seperates them from the lousy kiddie parade of Korn and Limp Bizkit... "Californication" is a true classic of modern rock which hearkens back to brighter times (early-mid 90's) in the world of major-label music. One of the very few major label releases I've bought in the last few years.

id say with alice in chains's 'dirt', we are looking at the best album of the decade. lets take a better look...
stars next to the songs mean how good they are out of 5.
1)Around The World **** - verse IS FUNK. lovley, with a sweet melodic chorus.
2)Parallel Universe ** - dosen't stand out much. your average track.
3)Scar Tissue ***** - beautiful song. lifting guitar riff and perfect vocals, very nice.
4)Otherside ***** - bettter than scar tissue marginally. this is nothing short of magic, i leave you to find out the rest.
5)Get on Top *** - Psychaedlic funk, just letting you know where you are.
6)Calafornication ***** - a fragile guitar and bass riff with refreshing chorus.
7)Easily ***** - chilis show that in true style, that they are still a flawless rock band.
8)Porcelain **** - slowest song to date, nice tranquil stuff.
9)Emit Remmus * - 'ive heard it all before' youll be muttering to yourself, oh well.
10)I Like Dirt * - oh dear.
11)This Velvet Glove **** - excellent piece of music, to the point yet subtle, at the same time.
12)Saviour *** - accepteble, not their best.
13)Purple Stain ***** - #FUNK#FUNK#FUNK#FUNK#FUNK#FUNK#FUNK#
14)Right On Time *** - chorus: i smell pop. nevertheless a good song.
15)Road Trippin' ***** - beautiful brisk acoustic number reflecting on america.

ok thats it. you have got to check out 'by the way' ITS AMAZING!
billycorgan266@yahoo.co.uk

1)

This is byfar one of my favorite albums ever, this is my second favorite albuum by RHCP, first obviously being BSSMnow some people have problems with the sound quality, but i dont have any problems with that, so....whatever,

1. Around The World - A great open to the album, starting off with that incredibly good bass line by flea, anthony's raping are catchy and the simple guitar in the backround that soon erupts into a hard rockin riff is nothing short of perfection. 10/10

2. Parallel Universe - A very good song, fleas and johns playing really is a treat in this, its simple, but picks up in the end with johns really cool solo. the chorus is also pretty cool. 9.5/10

3. Scar Tissue -Easilly one of the best songs on the album, its touching and just makes you feel god whenever you listen to it, a chili peppers classic 10/10

4. Otherside - A beutiful, yet depressing song which very pleasing to the ears, the harmonies are fantastic, and the bass and guitar are just fountians of emotion, its a tear jerker, 10/10

5. Get On Top - A great pick up song after the slightly depressing otherside, it picks you up with its great guitar which goes into a funky whaa, the lyrics are kind of whack, but when i say that i mean wiggity whack, which is the good kind 9.5/10

6. Californication - i think we all know and love this song, and if you dont, then why do you own this album. 10/10

7. Easily - a great song with (once again) great guitar by john, the vocals are also very good, the chorus is my favorite on the album, one of the best on the album. 10/10

8. Porcelain - Ok, this song is very slow, like, EXTREMLY SLOW, i find it hard to make it through the whole song, its just too damn slow, its a song that i skip on the album mostly because i cant get into it, some people say its a beutiful song,, take their advice on it, its too slow for me though, 6/10

9. Emit Remmus - A good song by itself, but after i figured out that Emit Remmus is Summer Time backwards, it made me enjoy its so much more, which turned it into a very good song for me, 8/10

10. I Like Dirt - A very funky song that is fun to sing along too, mostly because of anthonys weird singing in this, it picks you up and caresses ears, and shakes your booty 9/10

11. This Velvet Glove - A Deep song, but i still love it, its got that soft touch, but then the chorus erupts into a harder song and then smooths out, the harmonies by john are the perfect compliment to his acoustic in the backround and his electric upfornt. 9/10

12. Savior - A Great Opening with Johns guitar and a seemless transistion to anthony, the bass here is also very good, but Chads drumming is what makes the song good, it picks up the song and slows it down beutifully, then there is a part where it john and anthony singing and its just beutiful, one of the greatest moments, all in all a fantastic song 9.5/10

13. Purple Stain - A Fantastic Funk song, my favorite on the whole album, the guitar is so simple, its just great, the lyrics are so sweet is like playing in a feild and eating candy the whole time, the bass is a very funky complitment to johns guitar. the chorus is amazingly funky, and the intrumental ending is also quite nice 10+/10

14. Right On Time - This song is a good one, but veryu loud, and there is no intro, thats why in live shows they always add on the london calling beginning, its a little hard to get into because of the absense of the intro, but its a very good song, especially the chorus 8.5/10

15. Road Trippin' - A Very soft song that is a good outro to the album, the acoustic guitar is flawless and the bass is alswell, the harmonies are also beutiful, the violin or whatevers in the backround is beutiful, and just a treat for the ears. 9/10