Californication

I’d riot if canonical albums like this weren’t included. One of my favourites and a long-term resident in the tape deck of my Tarago when I was in high school. I can understand people not enjoying all their stuff, but there’s just something about the Peppers. Only downer- a bit too much rhymy stuff in Around the World.

Completely biased rating because FUCK YESSSSSS!! This is the sound of me discovering a musical preference of my own, the sound of being 12 in 1999 and figuring out who I want to be. It is an undeniably groovy and unique album that is a direct line to my younger self.

One of THE albums of the 90s, classic.

What can ye say. Seminal album

❤️but not By The Way

Me like

I liked it. I liked it. I liked it. I liked it.

Some editing of tracks would have made this album better. Great production.

I've always been of the opinion RHCP songs are either really good, or really shit. This album is more evidence that there's no in between. Some really good songs (the first 4 songs, Californication, Road Tripping and a couple others) and some really shit songs (basically every song where there's some rap). It's definitely a better than average album, so gets a 3.5 but I wish they'd cut out the cRap.

My honest opinion is that it wasn't that bad, I like RHCP and the vibe of their music. Their rap/rock mix is unique and the album is full of enjoyable beats with a very strong start. However, there is a lack of structure or meaning to the album which I feel By the Way does a little bit better. I would say the first 5 songs were a 5, and the rest were 3s and 2s.

A brilliant album, of course, with loads of well-known tracks. Four stars…

The A side here is one million miles an hour peak RHCP. B side is a little too full of mindless funk. Could listen to just an instrumental of this too, Flea's basslines are irresistible

Album #201: Red Hot Chili Peppers – Californication ⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Red Hot Chili Peppers were the first band I was ever into. As in, literally the first music I ever decided to put on myself, rather than just listen to what my dad or my brother were playing at the time, or watching random stuff that was on MTV. I think the first album I ever bought was Blood Sugar Sex Magik, which was much to my mother’s dismay. So I do have a soft spot for them, but today, I’m not really a fan. I want to get the bad stuff out of the way here. This is one of the hallmark albums of the loudness wars, but this is also one of the first albums I ever really listened to, and I probably played this album a thousand times in my youth. And I am coming to an eye-opening realisation that maybe one of the reasons my hearing has been so shit for as long as I can remember is because of this album. I want to know who I can sue for damages. It sounds awful. It really, really, really sounds dreadful. It’s the loudest thing in the world. Turn it down, honestly. It’s all just compressed into a big block of fucking noise being pushed through a can. It doesn’t matter what volume you seem to be playing it at, it’s too loud. Put the volume back in the hands of the listener. If I want to play it loud, I can turn it up. And if it’s not too compressed, I’ll be able to hear the different nuances and the different sounds that are going on. You’ve got these intricate bass parts, and you’ve got these beautiful guitar licks from John Frusciante and all this stuff, but it all is just crammed into this block of noise that’s so loud. And Anthony Kiedis is just sitting on top of this thing spouting absolute bollocks, which I’ll get to now in a minute. I don’t know if I’m the only one, but it’s such a physical sensation for me to listen to this music, and it’s not a positive one. I feel this music slapping against my eardrums. At the end of a song, they literally feel numb. They feel dead for a little bit afterwards. Fuck Rick Rubin and whoever else was involved in the production of this album. They should be ashamed of themselves, genuinely. Deafening the youth of the world. Anthony Kiedis is another problem. With the best will in the world, the dude is not a good lyricist. His lyrics are total bullshit nonsense, meaningless crap for most of the album. Now, that works on some songs. I mean, the band’s name is Red Hot Chili Peppers. How seriously are we supposed to take this band? In their early days they were much more funky and fun and silly, and they used to go on stage bollock naked, and I thought, that’s your brand. That’s the way you’ve branded yourself. But it was around this album when they decided they wanted to start being something akin to U2. And U2 write some pretentious lyrics. I mean, just look at most of the lyrics on The Joshua Tree. Here, I think Anthony Kiedis is trying to write something like The Joshua Tree. On some songs, like Savior, for example, it’s just really pretentious, but it’s also the same nonsense. It’s the same tone of it. Why is it so serious? It works on tracks like Purple Stain, Right on Time and Around the World, where they go back more to their funky roots. The nonsense lyrics are suited then. But when you’re trying to make some sort of big, pretentious point, you’re just not able to do it, Anthony. You’re still writing the same nonsense for all the other serious songs. The album is also way too long. I’d cut at least four songs from it and bring it down to somewhere around 40 minutes. It’s bloated, but I suppose that kind of fits the aesthetic of the whole thing. Now, why am I giving it four stars? I’ve had absolutely nothing positive to say about it so far. I’ll tell you why. Because if you can write a hook, all is forgiven. If you can write a song that sticks in your mind the way 80% of these songs do, you are onto something. You are a class songwriting band. These guys just strike me as lovers of music. They understand music, and they understand what makes a song tick, and they’re able to take a chorus where it needs to go. Their music is actually really satisfying in that regard. They give you what you want. And as much as John Frusciante wanted the Red Hot Chili Peppers to be this underground, cool, hip band that nobody knew about, they’re just too good at writing a chorus. They were always going to be huge. I think this is going to sound very snobby, but I think one of the reasons they appeal so much to kids is not just because they sing about sex and drugs and all this kind of stuff, and they’ve got a very funny name. I mean, that does matter. But, it’s because they make hooky music. They have hooks in absolute abundance. And I think a young mind is not fully developed to experience different nuances in different music. When you’re 12, you’re not really that far away from The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round, that simple kind of easy-to-follow, hooky music. I don’t mean that their music is simple. They’re all exceptional musicians, and their music can be quite complicated. It’s just that they’re able to make a hook that sticks in your head. I have not listened to this album in years, other than the odd track off it, and I remembered most of it because the hooks are so strong throughout. Despite all that, I’m still not a fan. I still don’t think I’ll be listening to much Red Hot Chili Peppers. I just cannot be doing with Anthony Kiedis. He’s just too annoying. But I cannot deny the songwriting ability here is top notch.

yep yeah pretty good I like it listen to it alot

Er waren al heel veel nummers die ik goed kende. Grappig om te merken dat de grootste hits de rustige en toegankelijke nummers zijn. Betekent het dat de minder bekende nummers dan ook niet de moeite waard zijn? Soms wel, soms niet. De albumcover vind ik vet. Iconische plaat dit wel hoor.

Ik ben het helemaal eens met Arie, we hebben het op dezelfde manier beleeft en geluisterd en kijken er op dezelfde manier op terug. Ik ga het gewoon copy-paste doen. Kan het niet beter verwoorden. Alleen Cees gedeelte en je had er bij moeten zijn haal ik even weg. Als je niet de vibe hoort van het album met bijv scar tissue de bas lijntjes waar cees nooit over op kan houden dan moet je wel dingen kunnen waarderen. Misschien helpt de wimm amp en dali opticon een beetje. Wederom moeilijk te beoordelen. Nostalgisch gezien heeft dit album zoveel betekend voor mijn muzikale smaakontwikkeling, ik heb ‘ t grijsgedraaid en daar waar we eerder een wat ouder album hebben geluisterd, is dit wat mij betreft het piek-album van RHCP, met vooral weer Frusciante die maar eens bewijst dat hij een muzikaal genie is met zijn iconische backings, sound en smaakvolle, niet te ingewikkelde gitaarsolo's die iedereen mee kan zingen. Californication is het eerste nummer ooit wat ik van ze heb gehoord en alles was vet. Het rif, de solo en vooral ook niet te vergeten die videoclip. Het album heeft me dusdanig geïnspireerd dat ik vaker mijn gitaar pakte om nummers van dit album te spelen. Maar toch zijn er wederom dingen die ik niet zo tof vind. Kiedis heeft inhoudelijk zo weinig te melden dat hij soms maar geluiden maakt, en sommige nummers zijn best irritant. Kiedis is ook als persoon een debiel waar iedereen ver weg van moet blijven. Kiedis -1 sterren Flea 4 sterren Frusciante 6 sterren Totaal: 4 Sterretjes

Wederom moeilijk te beoordelen. Nostalgisch gezien heeft dit album zoveel betekend voor mijn muzikale smaakontwikkeling, ik heb ‘ t grijsgedraaid en daar waar we eerder een wat ouder album hebben geluisterd, is dit wat mij betreft het piek-album van RHCP, met vooral weer Frusciante die maar eens bewijst dat hij een muzikaal genie is met zijn iconische backings, sound en smaakvolle, niet te ingewikkelde gitaarsolo's die iedereen mee kan zingen. Californication is het eerste nummer ooit wat ik van ze heb gehoord en alles was vet. Het rif, de solo en vooral ook niet te vergeten die videoclip. Het album heeft me dusdanig geïnspireerd dat ik vaker mijn gitaar pakte om nummers van dit album te spelen. Maar toch zijn er wederom dingen die ik niet zo tof vind. Kiedis heeft inhoudelijk zo weinig te melden dat hij soms maar geluiden maakt, en sommige nummers zijn best irritant. Het is echt een "je-had-erbij-moeten-zijn album". Dus dat Cees dit niet echt voelt, kan ik wel begrijpen. Kiedis 2 sterren Flea 4 sterren Frusciante 6 sterren Totaal: 4 Sterretjes

J'ai jamais été le plus grand fan des RHCP, mais comme félix je dois dire que John Frusciante est en grande forme sur cet album. Et même sans être un grand fan, il y a de la grosse toune là dessus!

An enjoyable listen, particularly in the first half. Otherside and californication were highlights

Not a fan of the Chili Peppers per se. I saw them before they were big and Ijust was never a fan. I do believe they are very talented, it's just that their music never moved me. However, this record is what I believe to be their opus. This record has songs that are moving and stir the heart and soul.

Much better than I remember! I was really rocking with this thing

Nice one

This would have been an easy 5 a couple of years ago, but I have grown out of the Chili Peppers. However, as I was relistening to it, I was thinkin: "Damn, this is a really strong album, maybe it still is a 5". But then the 2nd half is just such a strong drop off in quality. The first half is amazing, but the 2nd half is just okay at best, and ruins the flow of the album. High 4.

I really enjoyed this album. Rhcp are an awesome group and put together some amazing art. The three singles off of this album might be some of the best work out out by the band throughout their entire tenure as a group. It has the crashing metal moments, but I think it’s in the quieter more somber moments where this album really finds it soul.

Good album.

Very good album - a touch long, with some throw away songs, but this good songs are great! 4/5

Stand-out tracks: Around the World, Scar Tissue, Otherside, Californication, Emit Remmus, This Velvet Glove, Savior, Road Trippin' All around a pretty great album with a few duds in my opinion. They definitely have a certain constant sound/choice of melodies that I could see getting a bit repetitive for some people since the same sort of sounds appear on many tracks (with a few exceptions). It seems that I also prefer more of their mellow tracks as those are my favorite on the album, specifically Scar Tissue and Road Trippin'.

well its rhcp lol

411/1089 love this cover. Meant to write more but didn’t get around to it. It lived up to what i expected from the singles i know and was consistently good throughout, could see it growing on me more with more listens faves: parallel universe, scar tissue, californication, savior 77/100

Ok ive listened to this album already but ill try and give thoughts anyways definition of a hard ass funky rock song. fleas bass on here is so groovy i love it one of my favorites on this album. the constant plucks of guitar and bass sound so good on here classic rhcp song, so fun to sing along to. just feels good to listen to another classic. no shortage of those on this album. one of my favorite chili pepper hooks hard punk-esque vives on this one, reminds me a lot of aeroplane. flea carries a lot of these kind of tracks its like every other song is a classic on here. quintessential california anthem here. dreaming of californication. underrated solo, does exactly what its supposed to love the way anthony extends his voice on here. hes saying some bullshit but when isnt he one of the slower chili pepper songs, borders on not doing enough to stay interesting but its not very long and anthonys voice sounds nice dude what are you even talking about. its got good energy tho so its cool. ive realized this is the formula for a lot of their songs but they sound good enough to get away with it idc ok ik what i just said, but this is a little too bullshit for me maybe my favorite song on this album. the bassline is just so smooth it makes my ears happy. and the little accents frusciante adds in just put it over the top lot of extended vocals on this one. i like the drum fills. wow complete change in vibes. are those jingle bells? ok were back now ig. the back and forth is a bit jarring but ive heard bigger switchups shoutout purple. but not vibing with johns staccato flow on this one. i like this instrumental breakdown towards the end tho. chads going offf i forgot how quickly they get right into it wow. easily the most energetic song on the album. funny how they put this right next to one of the softest songs you dont get fully acoustic songs like this all that often in their discog, but this is possibly the best rendition of it from them. top 3 on the album for me and a great outro this album can be a little messy at times but overall theres more good moments than bad. would probably be around a 7.5 if it werent for the sheer amount of classics on here, so i gotta bump it up to an 8 for that

This is an album I used to be very, very positive about, for the rock/funk energies (principally the guitar/bass/drums interplay), and the variety and dynamic range of the songs. I thought it was much, much better than BSSM; maybe RHCP was my favourite band? (Later, I mildly liked By The Way, and lost interest by the time of Stadium Arcadium.) But now, I can't listen to any of this album without my listening being overshadowed by my awareness of Kiedis' unrepentant history of sexual exploitation, specifically statutory rape. I'm also aware of condoning of him, and other bad behaviour, by the other band members. This is in the general context of privileged/powerful men exploiting women and girls – not just rock musicians, but lots of popular musicians (playing in whole range of genres). The tainting of RHCP's music may be more prominent for me than that of some other musicians because I used to like them so much, there's suss content in quite a few RHCP lyrics, I also feel repugnance at the libertarian/exploitative shadow of their “free-wheeling brotherhood” vibe. Nonetheless, since the generator assigned the album to me, I've listened to the tracks again. Many of them do have features that still appeal to me. The guitar solo in Parallel Universe is still a benchmark for me. I like Scar Tissue, Porcelain, and Road Trippin', for the extended tonal range (despite weaknesses of lyrics). Title track: maybe the song works better than the lyrics 'deserve', because it taps into the wider world's uneasy fascination with the whole ghastly spectacle that is Hollywood / California / USA? The emotional tone seems well-judged, sombre without being ponderous, the guitar solo is simple but still works. All that said, I don't think I'd recommend this album to anyone, for the reasons cited higher up, I wouldn't want extra revenue to flow to the artists. More like, I could share with self-identified others a rueful memory – remember when we thought Californication was a really good album? Next challenge is how to rate the album – if I “separate the art from the artists”. I think more highly of this album than BSSM (which I rated Mix of Good and Bad, 5/10). There are definitely aspects of this album that could lead me to listen to it again in future, even though every foreseeable listen-through will be tainted. I'm going to say that as an album it's Very Good, 8/10. (It's not morally good music, so this is an uncomfortable rating, but I'll say that it's interesting, quality, listenable music – more impactful for me than albums I've rated Good.)

Better than I expected for not having my favorites Kinda angsty

RHCP vaati iteltä monta vuotta ennenku aloin kypsymään niiden tuotantoon, mut kyllä nykyään menee yhtiin omista suosikeista. Silti välillä jos liikaa kuuntelee tulee tietynlainen RHCP ähky, mutta vahvaa tekemistä ja on tosi kova levy kaikin puolin

Definitely have great memories of this album. And while I still really enjoy it, it does unfortunately start petering out a bit around halfway through. Still enjoyable overall though

Really like this album, but there were a good amount of songs that just don't stick with me. Favorites: Scar Tissue, Otherside, Californication, and Road Trippin'

I love the Red Hot Chili Peppers and there music has meant a lot to me throughout my life. But I'm not sure they've ever had a complete album. Each of their best albums have really high highs... like multiple incredible bangers, and then some real stinkers. And this album is no exception.

fricken tuff

I definitely feel like the hate for RHCP in recent years has gotten really performative, similar to the hate for Nickelback, Coldplay, Kesha, and Imagine Dragons (not saying any of those are good, although Coldplay is pretty solid, and Kesha has some banger tunes. Glad she got a bit of a reappraisal). I understand not liking them (and this album does have some stuff I won't defend), but the way people talk about them, you'd think Keidis personally stole their puppy and killed their car. But yeah, this is a pretty good album, held up massively by the singles. Some decent deep cuts like This Velvet Glove and Road Trippin' (although mostly for the instrumentals). But then you got some unforgivably bad lyrics from Keidis on songs like Get On Top, I Like Dirt, Purple Stain, and Right On Time. Also just terrible singing from him on Porcelain. No defending that shit. But yeah, with Around the World, Parallel Universe, Californication, Otherside, and Scar Tissue, a lot can be forgiven on this album. Just a murderer's row of some of RHCPs best songs. Feel like if you cut this album down to a trim 38 to 42ish minutes, this could be a particularly great album. As it stands, its just pretty good, even with some atrocious songs on it. Lastly, I get Rick Rubin is great with getting amazing performances out of bands, but at some point that man needs to answer for his crimes against listeners ears for constantly brickwalling every album he produces.

Californication was an inescapable juggernaut of a record that became the sound of the summer in 1999. Along with Santana's Supernatural, the Red Hot Chili Peppers put a coda on the decade of the 90s and reinvented themselves at the same time. Feeling revitalized by the return of guitarist John Frusciante, the Chili Peppers settled into the studio with Rick Rubin and laid down the record in four days. None of the drug fueled hedonism of the past, just a band focused on the music for maybe the first time in their careers. Despite its massive success, Californication left long-time fans feeling left out of the fun...free form funk jam sessions were replaced with harmonies and radio friendly hooks. I was split on my opinion then, though I did purchase the record. I've mellowed on the album since, though I prefer the harder edge of the band's earlier work. Californication is radio single heavy, and I'm loathe to give it a pass for half a record filled with so-so to good tracks. However, there's no denying the lasting power it provided RHCP, catapulting them into stadium tours well through the next decade and connecting with new audiences all the way into the 2020s. As I frequently say, context matters, and you don't sell over 17 million copies of a single record without a groundswell of universal support.

I mean, they’re a classic band. I feel glad I got to listen to a full album of theirs, something I’ve been meaning to do for a while

The guitar is def the highlight throughout the album. Last song was one of my favorites. Some weird ones, Emit Remmus is definitely a skip for me. Rest of the tracks are pretty good

good

Classic RHCP album that displays the breadth of their talent.

Groovy

The stuff I like I like. The stuff I don’t like, I like ironically. And then there’s the magical mix of both! Up to my ass in alligators Let’s get it in with the alligator haters.

Blood Sugar Sex Magic is probably a little better. Nothing is better than Abracadabralifornia though.

концептуально и по звуку очень интересно. себе добавила otherside, californication, easily, scar tissue, savior

I like the most popular songs a lot, and the general groove and vibe of the album. It's good.

Flea is worth 4 stars. I think other RHCP is better and more influential.

Alright

not quite as good as i remembered it but the hits are still hitting

I never got heavily into the peppers, having said that I've seen them a couple of times and they do have some incredible songs and they are great musicians. This album is quite good, there are certainly some good things on it,but like so many on this list it's just too long. they reduced it to 15 songs. They should have aimed for 10. The other issue with the chilis, especially the era with frusciante is that musically they are brilliant and a lot of he vocal lines are catchy and fun, if a little naff... But you're always 5 lines away from him just giving up and going blahdiblahdiblah, boopie boop bop, Weller in a cellar with a heller bad fella or some absolutely nonsense that he clearly couldn't be bothered to put any thought into. It's so jarring and ruins a few tracks. Especially when you think this is the guy who wrote under the bridge, so it's not like he can't do it. He just seems to get really lazy. I dunno, I enjoy it having heard it a lot, and some of it is lovely and some of it isn't. I'll be generous.

great, but the sound gets somewhat monotous quite quickly

Great songs, I just can't listen to a whole album of Anthony's vocals and his weird vowels.

Close to a 5, second half isn't my favorite

Ding ding, dong dong, ding ding, dong dong, ding ding

First half is gold, despite the horrible mixing/mastering. Even the vinyl pressing can't save how this sounds. The second half is nowhere near as good as the first, which makes this album just solid instead of amazing. 7/10

Parallel Universe Scar Tissue Otherside Californication

Parallel Universe Scar Tissue Californication Easily

Just classic

Nostalgia factor bumping my rating up a bit

Bajo y guitarra flipantes Around the World Parallel Universe Scar Tissue Otherside Californication Easily Road Trippin'

Okay I fell asleep during the last few songs but genuinely liked what I listened to so SOLID 4 (And would relisten it)

Starts strong, but sort off drifts off

Not my favourite band or genre, but this was a good listen

Favorites: Porcelain, The Velvet Glove Least Favorite: Parallel Universe An album that I knew, with songs I was very familiar, but had never listened in full. Really cohesive, such a distinct sound.

Not my favourite but enough on here that I enjoyed it more than a lot of stuff on this list

Decent album

8/10

I don’t have a whole lot to say about this album It’s Californication Super easy listening album So many fire songs Favorites: around the world, emit remmus, scar tissue 4/5

I like it, my favourites songs are: Parallel Universe, Otherside and Easily

wait actually rly good i should check them out more - around the world is one of the best songs ive heard recently, love the bass

ashamed to say I enjoy this album Would I listen again: yes Deserves to be on this list: most definitely 3.8

Solid

I listened to this album while on a road trip across California. This album encapsulates the landscapes and the people that breathe life into the scenery. The most moving moments are when the band quiets down and allows for some introspective moments, such as Californication and Otherside. Incredibly moving album, and undoubtedly the best in RHCP's discography.

Love the Chili Peppers but they make every damn album with too many tracks. Cut it down to 9 that flow into each other. Dump the rest.

Otherwise is one of my favorites. Second half of the album isn't as strong.

A part of me really wants to give this a 5 since I love the chili peppers and this is probably my favorite individual album by them, but this album has the same issue as all their other ones - it's too long and half of it is not very good. There are some incredible bangers, especially on the first half, but none of the songs between Californication and Road Trippin are memorable at all. Cut out some of the fluff and this would be 10/10.

Great, forward moving album. There are the big hits on here, "Scar Tissue", "Otherside", and "Californication". The rest of the album is pretty good, but even in 1999 I would have recoiled at the cheap joke of Chinese made in "Around The World". The rest of the album is a marked soulful deviation from the normal funk-hop we hear from RHCP. Maybe they should just stay funky and agressive and not pull the racist stuff. My Rating: 4/5

yeah you know what this is, it rules

Great guitar playing. Kiedis is annoying. Very frontloaded. Think this is better than BSSM as a whole.

un solido 4, buen album, canciones muy emblemáticas, y otras que nunca escuche en mi vida, pero muy bueno de principio a fin

A very good album, a pretty clear improvement from their other album on this list, Blood Sugar Sex Magik, imo. The first handful of songs is especially strong, blending a rock sound with some great hooks and other genre influences including funk and rap. Around the World and Scar Tissue probably my highlights. It’s held back from 5 by a weaker back half and some weak lyricism in places, but still a good one.

Another really solid album from the Chilis, slightly stronger than their previous entry on this list, 1991’s ‘Blood Sugar Sex Magik’. There are some funk-rock tracks, but they’ve largely moved away from that genre towards a mellower, more melodic sound. ‘Scar Tissue’, ‘Otherside’ and ‘Californication’ are the highlights in that vein, with ‘Around the World’ the best of the funkier numbers. These are all earlier tracks, and as this suggests the quality does dip later on, but only slightly. The lyrics are still pretty daft and the vocals merely okay, but the band sounds great, particularly Flea’s bass playing. Excellent.

Some absolutely insane songs, mixed in with some that are kinda meh.

Nice

I'm old enough to remember when the Red Hots weren't a complete joke of a band. *Blood Sugar Sex Magic* was HUGE back in 91, and the record on offer today is considered their end-of-decade comeback. I'll be honest- I was ready to dunk on this thing, but overall, it's a great rock record! The general vibe here is much more mature, less punk; less obnoxious teen, more aimless mid-20s. "Scar Tissue" can take a long walk off a short peer, but the rest of the songs here are pretty excellent. "Porcelain," "Parallel Universe," "Otherside," the title track, "Easily," "Savior"..... all great. But then - why doesn't it end? It really should be over after that song, but no - you've got three more tracks to go. Yeesh. But listening to one of those - "Purple Stain," reminds me of the Peppers' secret weapon: Chad Smith. Absolutely incredible rock drummer. His feel and chops are perfect. Love that guy. Ok. Maybe I'm crazy, but this is absolutely a record people should hear before they die, if only so they can get sloshed playing the "take a shot every time he says California" drinking game. FOUR STARS

Classic chilli's innit! Great album

great album

Erinomainen albumi

Hoge nostalgie waarde

Listened

Something something, California. Don't say I didn't warn ya. Ding-dang-dong-dang-dong California. Just a good examine of Chili Peppers.

I was pleasantly surprised with how much I still enjoyed this album. Loved it as a teen but when I revisited Blood Sugar by RHCP I found it to be a very tough listen. Californication keeps the lame rolling but they balance it out nicely, it’s not laid on thick. The first half of this album especially is pretty great, it could be nostalgia but I don’t know, I think this is still pretty great to return to every once in awhile. 4 stars

Always best with Frusciante.

Belter of an album. Second half goes a little downhill but brought back up again by Road Trippin.

Difficult one to rate. Strong nostalgia factor, but if I'm being honest the sound is rather tired. Still, Californication is a banger

Pretty strong throughout. The hits are pretty big in here and there is a good level of funk. Tempted for a 5 but I think a 4 is probably a fair reflection. I think something like By The Way would get a 5.

Probably their best album. Still just a four.

It's the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I've heard this album in my sleep.

I don’t know why I haven’t given RHCP’s a serious listen before. Maybe I’ve heard too many parodies of their sound. They really rock. The bass grooves especially stand out. The lyrics felt like they came from lived experiences of California living including the darker sides of crushed dreams.

more weird al music that isn't funny huh...

The album is ridiculously front loaded with the hits and catchy songs. The second half of the album (anything after “Porcelain”) drags a bit. “Road Trippin” is one of the singles, but it’s a saccharine sweet cringe fest. In fact, on the back nine, “This Velvet Glove” is all that’s worth listening to. Kiedis is a creepy man. He’s arrogant too. A true prima donna. Also, the idea that they associate themselves with California shows how fake the band is because precisely none of them were born there. It’s all so performative. Having said that, some of the better songs are pretty good. I’m feeling positive today, so let’s round that 3.5 up to a 4.

Good album, lead singer kinda stinks a little

Might be a 5 if I hadn’t heard the hits more time than my own voice. It’s also little long - but damn does Fleas bass flow.

Everyones heard this

Good music! I like them more than I realize.

This album is like having your parents buy you an apartment so you can leave home and chase your dreams, without being weighed down by the burden of responsibility. Your father is very wealthy, but as far as parenting goes, he is quite distant. Your mother loves you but sees you as immature. As an attempt to set you on the right path, they buy you a house in Los Angeles so you can grow into an adult and fulfil your life’s ambitions. The problem is you’re still an immature fool. Because all of your bills are covered, you just lounge around doing drugs and playing PlayStation all day. Your friends come around and subtly try to nudge you towards getting a job, but you suggest having a party instead. They want you to grow up, but at the same time your place is great for a house party.

The first half is great. John back with something to prove, Flea his usual self killing it on the bass. But what stands out os Chad's drumming. He really drives the band amd songs like californication would fall flat with anyone else drumming, but he has a way to pick it up. However, thw lyrics throughout are comically bad. This is the guy who wrote under the bridge, so you know he can do better. And the 2nd half was not as good. But when it was good, it was great.

Bellissimo

Fuck I wanted this to be a 5 for me. If the album cut off the 2nd half it probably would be. So many bangers to start and it just fell flat at the end. Flea's bass is magical, the singing is so iconic and the riffs are godly. Truly a 4.5 and not a 4 for me. Fave Song: Otherside

No private session used for Spotify. I was actually a resident of California when this album came out, well on the way of being Californiafied. I have this album and have heard it a lot and it's the last RHCP I got into, for reasons that I shouldn't go into for this review. I love this album, its got some great songs that would have to go into the soundtrack of my life, the California years. It's not a no skip album, though, there is some filler.

Amazing 🤩

Wenn man die Lyrics uns den Gesang ignorieren könnte wäre das eine 5/5. Aber man kann es nur schwer ignorieren. Musikalisch ist das aber ein massives Brett. Gute Länge. Gute Abwechslung. Gleichzeitig sehr zugänglich. Liebs.

I too dream of californication

Look, I know. I *know*. I read *Scar Tissue* and I know what Anthony Kiedis admits to in there, and who he admits to it with. If you want to drag him from now until the end of time, go for it. More strictly musically, I know how substandard a lot of people find his voice to be or how quickly his lyrical stylings can wear out their welcome. But am I totally wrong for thinking that Kiedis might actually have something meaningful to say? For thinking that his trademark blend of rock, rap, funk, and whatever the hell else signifies his status as a voice of generations of kids raised by culture in the absence of their actual families - literally, in his case, as the child of a Rainbow Bar hanger-on who sold drugs to the Hollywood Vampires? For thinking that he does as good a job of anyone of communicating the way the admittedly fake hedonism of California, The Idea can function as a crutch for dealing with the very real void inside the self? Hell, part of me even wants to argue that a better class of human than him *couldn't* convey those ideas as effectively, as much as that thought makes me queasy (*see also, e.g.*, Lacey, Jesse). Like, I know it's no excuse but maybe you *have* to have been a desperate, addicted, jailbait-chasing shell of a man in order to write something as existentially raw as "Otherside"; "pour my life into a paper cup" wouldn't matter near as much coming from someone who's only ever seen the line out the door at the methadone clinic as a disinterested passerby. And whatever you think of Kiedis, you gotta admit the rest of this band can fucking *play*. John Frusciante remains able to funk and shred like nobody's business, but some of the more intriguing stuff he does here is more minimalistic, in line with his desperate, intimate 90s solo work - a nice touch that matches Keidis's attempts to go deeper emotionally. And Flea is Flea, one of the most famous bassists ever and deservedly so; the only reason he hasn't been even *more* influential is that his legacy is so intimidating. Ultimately, the biggest problems with this album are more prosaic: the second half isn't as good as the first half, and there's not quite enough sonic or thematic variation to justify including all of these tracks (although the Nineties Overlong Album Disease is a lot more manageable here than on *Blood Sugar*). Nevertheless, if you're listening to it rather than just hating the idea of it (and again, I totally understand why you might hate the idea of it) then you're going to find songs here that speak to you. There's a reason every green 1993 Ford Escort in America had a copy of this album in the center console at one point.

I cannot in good conscience give this a 5 after releasing an awful sounding album after writing some genuinely good songs (Keidis mostly excluded). Got on Top is a fine song but it genuinely sounds bad. I know nowadays the remnants of the loudness war are mostly gone but cmon now. (I started digging into this now again and there's maybe 5 versions out there of Around the World and they all vary quite a bit with seemingly no explanation. The consistency of music through releases always interests me because of the way we stream music now it can change not only between albums but between listens at the whims of whoever hosts it) Anyways, The whole instrumental section of the band are truly on top of their game here. Every time I listen to them I come away with another bassline that I end up playing over and over again in my head. Porcelain is very Smashing Pumpkins and I've never noticed that before. It does feel like a bit of a front loaded album but Road Trippin is a good closer. At the very least it's 4th place to me behind Stadium Arcadium, By The Way, and Blood Sugar (in whatever order). Highlight: Around the World (When Keidis gets rid of a all pretence of good lyrics), but actually the drums in Californication.

Erstes Album dass ich kenne

I slept through most of it honestly but I love other side and scar tissue.

Dope

Banger🔥

Every Red Hot Chili Peppers album has like 2-3 great songs and a bunch of filler. Rinse, wash and repeat.

Hard to believe this came out so long ago. I loved the earlier records with John Frusciante, and him coming back for this album felt to me like why it turned out so good. I still prefer Blood Sugar Sex Magik, but this one seemed to make more of splash culturally and the sound is really fantastic. They finish it off with first a VERY strident, high tempo song and then flip to a slower, soothing song. Love it!

Que gran álbum, llegué a pensar que solo iban a ser un par de canciones buenas, pero fue increíble de principio a fin

so many hits

Jestem pewien, że najwięcej piosenek Red Hotów kojarzę właśnie z tego albumu. Album poprawny słucha się go dobrze, z pozoru lekki jednakże, gdy mam okazje wsłuchać się w tekst już taki nie jest. Koncerty po świecie, narkotyki kobiety, straty, a to wszystko pod maską przyjemnego dla ucha rokowego brzmienia. Nie wiedziałem, że znajdzie się też tutaj inspiracja Public Enemy czy nawet lekko rapowo/rymowy kawałek czyli Around The World. Bardzo podobały mi się też chórki do wokalu. Podsumowując solidne 4/5 dla tego albumu, na pewno wróce do niego nie raz.

Fantastic album from the late 90's. This album exposed RHCP to a much broader audience. Ptichfork: 6.2 Rolling Stone: Top 500 Albums #286 Best Songs Around the World Scar Tissue Otherside Californication Porcelain

Unavoidably good, even if the second half lacks the immediacy of the famous singles which the first half throws at you without mercy.

Absolute classic. The first half of this record is fire. The second half drops of a little bit unfortunately. But still so crazy to remember how ridicuclous their band lineup is from an individual musician perspective.

Scar tissue and Otherside giving me such nostalgia cause I would almost hear this song on the radio all the time. I def like their sound and also vocals as well this album.

3.5 relatively good

An excellent classic rock album. This thing was ubiquitous and still slaps so much. Back half of it sort of lets it down, but still has such great heights. To quote Jacob wyzocki, how longs that hog.

Better version of the road trip music. But man, there are so many songs on here I recognize, and think of fondly. Found some others that were fun and caught me. "I Like Dirt" being high on that list.

First heard album for me. Loved it! A little too long. Great performance and outstanding recording.

I don't love Red Hot Chili Peppers. But I happily listened twice in a row. So, surely a 4.

brrrr mmm dum brrrr pa

gran album

Staple. Had heard many songs without realizing they were from this album

A powerful hit of nostalgia for me. Sun-baked and over-long. Musically delightful, vocally ropey, lyrically stupid.

I gotta admire the fact that RHCP has an really unique sound for the alternative genre, and this is their emblem album. Of course I already knew a part of it.

Classic 90’s band!

This album was older than I remembered. Of all of their albums I think this is my favorite. They have such a unique sound compared to any of their contemporaries. That said, I need to be in the right mood to hear it.

*74 Huskede det nok lidt bedre, men det var stadig en god oplevelse. 4 små.

Kan faktisk godt følge lidt af Anders' rant, men omvendt så er det her så meget lyden af sommeren, da jeg var 19, at jeg bare ikke rigtig kan hate på det - og det til trods for at jeg faktisk ikke særlig godt kunne lide RHCP dengang. Men det rammer nok lidt popdrengen i mig - og det er der ikke meget andet end der gør. Et lille (nostalgisk) 4 tal herfra

Mer min smak av RHCP inte för funky mer rock

Classic, nostalgic, bombastic

Better than average RHCP album. Solid selection of songs with the singles being the standouts

i honestly like this album - it felt so celebratory at the time. like RHCP were all clean and fully whole again. Frusciante is such a differentiator for them sonically and spiritually.

wkoncu cos fajnego

Super album that is just as listenable as Blood Sugar. I love that they can do acoustic and distortion so seamlessly and just as rocking and everything sounds right at home. My new 2nd favorite album by them, I am only familiar with the hits and BSSM.

who really like saviour. get on top is the right song to get some great work done, motivating af w catchy guitar and chorus; parallel universe like the drums, chorus is simple but good, sick high-ish energy instrumental at the end); otherside guitar and harmonies; scar tissue is obvious chill vibe, reminds me of kate; around the world pretty good overall; porcelain is beautiful chill dawn sad fawn; obviously unpopular but idk if i'm a fan of californication (bit too repetitive); easily. do NOT like fat dance.

Better than I'd expected, but not redefining. This is RHCP.

4.5

4/5

I was set to give this a 5 when I first put it on, but it's hard to get past how slow the back half of the album is. A 4 is probably fair.

Its not the best rock record out there but it has its own sound and doesnt do what other before have done a thousand times. I think its a weak 4 but i can see why some might score it lower. I think some parts of the album lack but in general i think it achieves what its going for.

It has some really good songs but a few duds so I am going with a 4.

Californication is a great rock album with a ton of very memorable songs. That being said I just don't think a lot of them live up to a 5 star album. Maybe the Red Hot Chilli Peppers sound just isn't my jam but I think that it is because some songs really are fantastic. Wish I could do 4.5. Fav song: Otherwise Least Fav: I Like Dirt (but its still pretty good)

The first half of the album is stellar. Peak RHCP in my opinion. The band couldn’t be any tighter and Keidis sounds great. Flea is a standout killing it on bass - you can feel it in your chest. The second half is very good, probably could have been edited a bit, but still good. A big fan of this one.

A solid piece of work by talented musicians. The rock and roll is in your face on most songs and the lyrics consistently keep you guessing as to their true meaning. There are at least 4 bangers on this album and the remaining songs still hit well.

Despite Keidis, RHCP put out a very solid collection of funk, ballads and rock. Second only to Blood Sugar Sex Magik for me.

Phew, this one kicks off with a banger! I'm a Chili Pepper fan boy, so of course I love this album. There is no better core than Chad, Flea, and John. The chemistry they share is unmatched, I could listen to them jam all day. Anthony is fine, vocals compliment the music, lyrics are often gibberish but whatever, it's all good. Overall the four of them create a groove that grabs hold of you and takes you on a funky ride.

me puso en un muy buen mood para ponerme un outfit medianamente descente, afrontar el frío y salir a cursar (a pesar de lo apestada que me encuentro en estos momentos) y eso lo valoro mucho. ps. de las mejores portadas de la historia de la música

I have an irrational love of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. In the late 80s I was in junior high school. For most boys, the nadir of their maturity. Back then the Peppers appealed to me because they were brash, goofy, and irreverent. I matured as I got older, I hope, but inside me remains a 14 boy. That’s the aspect of me that they still appeal to. It’s also why Californication (perfect middle school joke btw) is good but isn’t my favourite. It tries to be serious. I love a lot of the songs, dumb lyrics and all, but not all of them. I don’t want serious from the Peppers. Great album. Not perfect.

I don't mind RHCP. I do mind Kiedis singing though, or should I say lack of. If they were an instrumental band I think I would really love them. There is some great music here especially when the vocals (or lyrics) don't ruin it. While I didn't own the album, the singles (videos) were my introduction to the band (and their big comeback, as this album is a clear line of divide as in before/after in their work) and I remember liking most of those songs when they would pop up on TV. Listening to the album now, it's not without skips, but the good stuff is still good and I had a nice time listening to it. I genuinely thought giving it a 5, but I would be lying to myself and we wouldn't want that, would we?

It's a fine "comeback" or "reunion" with John Frusciante. Clearly, they were inspired and proud of their past. There's a lot of songs here that call-back to the early records and there's plenty to satisfy modern Chili Peppers fans.

Great in a different context

Welcome back Frusciante!

Descubrí temas que nunca habia escuchado

Californication feels less like a meticulously constructed “front-to-back masterpiece” and more like a collection of era-defining singles and emotional snapshots from a band rediscovering itself at exactly the right cultural moment.

Alt rock radio agrees that I needed to hear this before I die... at least the first half or so of the album

7.5

Undeniably playful and catchy! The music really suits the album cover's refreshing but wild pool day aesthetic. I found some of the lyrics to be mindless at times but this wasn't an egregious issue. Very cool tunes and I'd jam out if some songs ever come back on during shuffle.

they actually mention california a lot more than i thought wow

A classic album by RHCP

A really great album. It has plenty of tracks you won't want to skip, and musically it's excellent.

is that a jojos reference?

These guys are always quite hit or miss with me. Really love the more laid back sound that is present in some songs. Don’t really care for the more distorted garage alt rock sound, and those songs also all run together. This is a true 3.5 but we’ll round up

Probably the best balance of high energy and more mellow RHCP works. Californiacation is the perfect epitome of RHCP: tons of talent and glitz, but with ugliness (Anthony Kiedis can be rouggghhh) and somehow less than its sum. High highs amid a bunch of mid. I came into this with nostalgia lenses, but on merit, the further I got the more I knocked it from a 4 -> 3.5. Still a good listen though.

Classic. Already in rotation

great songs, but unfortunely has some weaker tracks after sometime

Is it RHCP's best album? Probably.

Classic from my youth

Not their best, but some great songs on this sprawling album.

Banger

pretty good

purple stain, mamaaaaacha,

A great one, I had fun

3.9/5.

4/5 porque el resto del disco no es taaaan bueno como californication

puros hits, los primeros 3/4 del disco son excelentes (canciones, climas, etc.). sobre el final hay muchos temas de relleno, lo cual hace que baje mi puntaje. gran disco.

I think this album makes me feel quite nostalgic towards my teenage years. There’s a reason it’s as well known as it is and it does have some very strong moments.

Good album, solid peppers… just feels too… corporate

I really enjoyed that hefty Intro. It's like getting thrown in the cold water, but it's the middle of summer, so you end up enjoying it. Another Thing that stuck out to me, was the balance between those heavy songs and those more melodramatic songs e.g. Parallel Universe vs. Scar Tissue. Then the Peppers venture into something that sounds a lot like Hip Hop or at least heavily inspired by it, with the Get on Top. They follow it up with the anthem and most popular song on this album, californication, the popularity is quite frankly understandable. But Easily is a 4/10 song...

A collection of great songs let down by the production - why does everything sound so flat? 4.5

Joya de guitarra, rock punketo? Nuevo descubrimiento 10/10

This album takes me back to the summer of 99. A great time in my life. As for the album I think I like a lot of the non singles more than the singles.

A couple of songs on the first half slapped pretty fucking hard. My engagement sort of fell off during the last. I think nostalgia and appreciation of production and mixing is carrying a lot of weight here, but for now I'm landing on (maybe a somewhat weak) 4

Ding, dang, dong, dong, deng, deng, dong, dong, ding, dang

lots of memorable tracks, overall a fun listen

Loved this album when I was discovering music in middle school, as it came out right around then and got a lot of radio play. Have listened to plenty of these songs on playlists over the years, but don’t think I’ve relistened to it as a whole since the CD days. First half of this album is awesome. It’s great song after great song. Not as much of that funky sound from early Chili Peppers, but Around the World through Porcelain is banger after banger. A few stuff on the back half of the album isn’t as memorable, but there’s a few songs that go heavy into the funk sound that are solid there. If this was shorter, I think it’s a clear 5. But it doesn’t need a lot of the excess of the last few songs. I’m leaning 4, but I love the first 8 songs of this album and that might be enough to push it over the edge. It may seem played out now, but the good songs here still rule. Kind of a definitive sound of late 90s/early 2000s alt rock.

Tres tres bien

Jammed out to this one a bunch back in the day. I remember it being John's first album back with the band after his rehab. Some pretty solid tunes on this one.

I guess if you're into the RHCPs, then this is probably a great album. It seems to be really well done and put together, but, RHCPs, to me, just aren't anything of interest. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt here and up what would have been 3 stars. Otherside is a pretty great track.

Sehr gut.

This one has a pretty big nostalgia factor for me. It came out while I was in middle school and was just massive in the U.S., and Scar Tissue, Otherside, and the title track were songs I would watch MTV for hours on end in hopes of seeing their music videos. They were also on constant radio play. I also have a bit of a core memory in that I bought this album on CD on a trip to San Diego (I’m from the Carolinas) and it was perhaps my first experience of the joy of listening to an album in the place it’s about. Years later I’d have a similar experience listening to Sufjan Stevens’ Illinois while driving through snowy central Illinois. Anyway, this album is a little bipolar in that the top tracks are absolute bangers, but there is some filler here. The album as a whole would have benefited from being 3 tracks shorter. I think if you remove dumb songs like Get On Top and I Like Dirt, this would have more classic status. That said, those singles are genuinely amazing if you set aside your pretensions about them.

Classik merci lila

Classic

The singles really carry this album and still are amazing. Other half of the songs continue to not age super well.

Ding dang dong dong ding dang dong dong ding dang

This album has classic RHCP tracks on it. But I find the production holds it back. It’s very ear fatiguing. Also even if the album is just under 1h it feels longer as the second half drags by the end. Th first half of the album is pretty solid however. Scar tissue and Otherside are my favourite tracks of the album.

Great

je l’ai pas écouté jusqu’au bout, mais c’est dla bonne musique. En vrai j’ai surtout aimé celles que je connaissais déja (scar tissue et other side). Bon album

Some real bangers and a generally fun vibe. I feel the singles stand out more then the album

Hasta el momento solo había escuchado dos canciones del album y la verdad salí gratamente sorprendida. Un sonido muy coherente a lo largo de todo el álbum, y aunque son 15 canciones no se siente larga esa casi hora de música. Gran bajo como siempre (Flea my GOAT). Vas de letras profundas a innuendos no tan sutiles y me encanta. Muy buena experiencia.

Funky. Always a fun listen.

Love this album… not much more to say

I love the Chili’s albums and this one is no exception. Perhaps not there best but entertaining no less. Good - I already have this album in my music collection.

First half is excellent, hit after hit. The middle handful are pretty weak. If this were shorter and cut a few of the poor tracks out, it would be a 5.

At one point this was one of my favorite albums (along with the foo fighters self titled album). While it is still an absolute gem, has not had the staying power as other albums… 4.3

So much better than Blood Sugar Sex Magick. Some catchy tunes, really solid album. 7/10 Quite Likeable

Doesn't smoke like Blood Sugar Sex Magic but still pretty good.

Rock on, RHCP! no idea what this guy is saying half the time but this album still slaps. 8/10

1, 7, 9, 12, 13, 18 좋다 !!! 문외한이어도 즐겁다

ok

objectively really good, but it definitely gets boring after a bit

- you can really tell Frusciante reaaaally gets inspiration from Hendrix - love Flea’s base playing, super dominant, as if he’s the main guy - Frusciante and Flea play off each other so well

bing bang bong bong bang bing bong bong bing bang I am ashamed that I enjoy this album

The hits are really good but the rest is also solid. Could see myself day drinking to this

Gillar de soft grejerna, men när det blir för mycket rhcp blir det lite tonårigt

Giving it a five, would be californication

Good.

It's funny going from Alice In Chains, to Q-Tip, to this. In terms of rock, Alice In Chains is way better. In terms of the "rapping", obviously Q-Tip is better. The writing of Californication is like white middle school kid trying to put together raps. They're doing it....but the writing isn't exactly impressive. Ok ok let's be fair, because after all, in 1992 Red Hot chili Peppers won the Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance with Give It Away over Alice In Chains' Dirt. I say this sarcastically. It's also unfair because I actually do like RHCP, even though Anthony Kiedis is a pedo....which makes the track Purple Stain particularly disgusting, which it's a pretty gross track regardless. This album was actually huge. Around the World, Otherside, Scar Tissue, Californication were, and still are, huge songs that pretty much everyone knows. They kind of unlocked the code to make extremely catchy rock music, and it's all on this album and it's almost to a fault. Good album and fun to listen to but for some reason I tend to naturally look down on RHCP's sound as if they aren't real rock music. I'm not sure why this is, but I definitely put them in different category from Alice In Chains. It just feels more on the funk side than the rock side, which is fine, and at times it borders on psychedelic, so I can't discredit it.....except for Purple Stain. That song is gross.

General thoughts: Having already gotten BSSM, this will be my point of comparison. Californication is less funky and much less metal; it's more harmonic and pop-ish. It's a considerate shift from their previous style, with more backing choruses, a greater focus on melodies, and less sexual lyrics. There is a clear signature sound; you can easily pinpoint what songs are from the BSSM era and which are from Californication. I value that. Lyrically, it improved, and that's because they were pretty disastrous before; they still lack sense, unity, and cadence, but sometimes they do provide imagery. The production is weird and sounds cheap, like hearing it through a radio. That said, I liked Rick Rubin's production of BSSM. I'm not sure if the production values changed from one album to the other. The resulting product has this nostalgic vibe that really makes you think, "Hey, this is the 2000s". RHCP has had this effect on me, in which the songs seem like the perfect recipe to rate it higher, the setlist is solid and steady, songs are catchy, and the instrumentation is always good, but there's always something on a higher level that makes me want to rate it lower as a whole. Last time, it was the lyrics; this time, it's the production. As with BSSM, it makes me question what is the best way of rating an album. Finally, kudos to 'Savior' which, strangely enough, has some kind of Pink Floyd vibes lol. Outstanding song(s): Right on Time, Around the World, Road Trippin' Weakest song(s): I Like Dirt Cover: Somehow like a fever dream Real rating: 4.03

I had a RHCP phase but I only listened to the hits. I was in middle school and me and my friend Faisal would listen to pandora radio stations in study hall. This album is the one I think of when I think of the peppers. The thing I like most about the group is that they felt like a real band. They had the look, the musical chops, and the edgy lyrics that appealed to a young person. I think a lot of the criticism is unwarranted by people who don't understand the concept of a metaphor and imagery. I don't like the rapping but it's liimited enough on this album that I can tolerate it. Ultimately, this is what I wanted, a band that was unapologetically west coast.

First half of this album is fire. Classic Chili Peppers for the new millennium. Everybody is firing on all cylinders with great California songwriting. Then it just kind of gets weird and falls flat.

Lots of bangers but not so good at the end

Red and hot like a chili pepper

Not a lot of albums that can transport you to both a time and a place, but this one sure can. RHCP was above my pay-grade in 1999, but I’ll never forget watching the “Californication” music on VH1/MTV (channels that my sheltered self wasn’t supposed to watch). At least half of this album went on to dominate the Alt Rock airwaves for the next 20 years, as well as my iPod.

rhcp are soooooo fuckin good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! highway beachy vibess

great album, even if im tired of the band

Yes, this is one for me. Listened to this a lot when younger. Arguably the first half is better with all the bangers

No solo marcó al rock sino que también a una generación, culminando los 90´s y abriendo los 00´s con toda la energía de los red hot, letras "profundas" y un bajo muy pero muy marcado que te energiza

Unfortunately I do enjoy quite a bit of this album

I had this album. I remember opening it up inside my moms van and loading it into my discman in the mall parking lot. This album rocks.

Some noisy tracks towards the end, otherwise a great record feat. Californication und Road Trippin'.

Never realized that so many hits by RHCP were on this album. Overall, a cool experience, no real misses.

Awesomeness

i wore this cd out as a kid. tbh the sound quality is kinda shitty overall, as with a lot of albums from this era (especially ones with rick rubin's signature on them). kiedis remains the weak link, his lyrics remain pretty juvenile for the most part and he can't help but reference california all the time, but his voice sounds better than before. frusciante's guitar work here is extremely simple, probably because he had to essentially relearn the instrument after taking a few years off to do heroin. honestly though the songs feel like they're built around his reduced capacities so it works. flea and chad smith do what you expect them to do. overall one of their best albums.

Summer of 99, I was hired by a music store to work in the stocking department. I don't know why they hired a teenager, all of my coworkers were in their 20s, but to this day it's probably the most fun I've had at a job. One of the best parts of the job was the constant exposure to music, discovering new artists, getting lots of free stuff including concert tickets, and being around people who loved music and loved to party. Music was so integral in this job even though I was just putting CDs in inventory and stocking the shelves. In the storeroom, we would take turns playing music (aside from Howard Stern in the morning). Sometimes that meant popping in an album, but often it mean just selecting the radio station for an hour. For that summer, Californication was inescapable; either someone would put on the full album or one of the few radio stations we'd switch between would play no less than one song from it each hour. I was into metal and punk at the time. Anything "soft" was lame to me, and unless it was butt rock, anything mainstream was rejected without much consideration to whether it was actually good or not. RHCP definitely fell into the mainstream, rock for the masses, weak stuff, and this was especially true if you looked at their radio hits from this album, of which there were many. I mean, shoot, it starts with four in a row. So, I was programmed to dislike the album AND I had to hear it. all. the. time. It was inevitable I would come to despise it. But even 17 year old me could recognize it was "good" at least by popularity standards. I have to admit than"Scar Tissue" was a song I liked until it was overplayed, and if I hadn't been overexposed to the other singles as well, I probably wouldn't have minded them as much. Some years ago I heard one of these songs, I think it was "Otherside" but it's irrelevant what it was. What I knew is that adult, post-punk phase me liked it. I decided to revisit the album since I knew it was beyond popular in the day and part of the zeitgeist of the time. Would it hold up? And would I be surprised to find that once I got my head out of my own ass that I actually enjoyed it? A longer, more complicated answer would be that the Red Hot Chili Peppers are a problematic band. But, I'm not going to do what many reviewers on this site do and bring the character of the band members into my evaluation of this album. The question remains whether this album should be as critically acclaimed as it is or not. I do remember my relisten years ago and thinking to myself that I understood why it was so popular, and thought overall it was pretty solid. Now, I approach it with a slightly more critical ear but also with all those feelings associated with it still kind of lingering. They won't affect my judgment, but they will influence how I kind of nitpick this one. The short answer is yeah, all bullshit aside, this album is pretty strong. Like most albums that are about an hour or longer, it's a little long in the tooth. Some of the songs sound very similar. But that's not what's keeping this from being a five-star album. Anthony Kiedis really brings this album down. It's not just his juvenile lyrics, it's sometimes the way he sings, or when he tries to sing eloquently and not do that rap rock thing, he just isn't very good at it. He also has a very repetitive style, so even if the guitar riffs aren't similar to other songs, the vocal melodies are. Aside from a couple gems, the non-radio hits are just okay. So when you couple that with the lead singer leaving a lot to be desired, I could easily see this falling to 3 stars for the average listener, assuming they don't have predisposed opinions about RHCP. All in all, because I understand how big this album was at the time and how central it was to the musical landscape, at least in the US, I get why this is on the list, and I think it's mostly quite good. If you strip some of the fluff, it's easily 4 stars for me.

Standouts: Parallel Universe, Otherside, Raod Trippin, Fat Dance Lowlights: Porcelian - just too weird Already knew Scar Tissue and Californication, knew chorus of Otherside Slow songs weren’t as strong, amazing guitar, same vibe throughout album

Really fun, rocky, smooth, soul,funk

Quite easy to listen, huge in charts, but not the most interesting record RHCP Made.

Wow what a musical potpourri of funkiness mixed w punk and hard rock sensibilities

No. 142 Great album. So many hits.

Good album, bad cover.

One of my favorite bands. Unfortunately this album is heavily front-loaded and the back half kind of drags. Still, some all-time great RHCP songs here so this gets a 4.

Around the World // Scar Tissue // Otherside // Californication // Easily // Road Trippin’ 3.5/5

It’s inane babbling but it is funky

baNGER

О том что эта группа существует и какая-то очень известна я узнал только в общаге, но песни я часто слышал и до этого, безымянно звучащими из окружающего пространства, как будто саундтрек времени

Олдскулы не свело. By the way нравится больше.

Вторая половина альбома чутка филлерная, но в целом норм, как будто раньше альбом казался более дурацким

Ощущение, что в 90-00-х именно рок-группы были настоящими поп-звездами, что некоторые клипы аж доходили до нашего нальчикского «Форт Мажора». Было приятно послушать группу, которая определила, наверное, целое поколение. Лайк, подписка

"I went into this album like ""man, I don't really listen to the RHCP, I'm gonna trudge through this"" but I was happily surprised. This album was a fun listen. The delivery of the lyrics was one of my favorite parts, super rhythmic and catchy. I liked this more than I thought I would. Good for you, Chilis"

- tuttu albumi, raidat 1-6 aivan 5/5 kampetta, sen jälkeen taso pikkasen tippuu - loputkaan biisit ei siis ole erityisen huonoja mutta alku on sen verran tiukka että ihme olis jos sama energia säilyis koko levyn - hyvä platta tulee aika ajoin kuunneltua

I really like this album, not just from listening to it now, but from listening to it when I was younger. Overall, pretty nice songs throughout the album, with a few of them being great even. I even really like Easily, which I don't recall listening to in the past.

Absolutely love most of it. Amazing instrumentals, grooves, vocals, it makes my head bob. The album is a bit overlong, I felt like some of the late songs weren't quite as strong.

Banger, but loses it at the end

I did like some of these songs when it came out. And it was everywhere. Surprised how much I remember it and like it. It takes until track 8 until I don't recognise one. Impressive for an album I never had myself. Could have dropped a few tracks from the second half. 4 Heard before? Yes Owned: No 52/223 (23%) Will I get: No

Love this album, I've heard most of it before. I found that once I was like 3/4 of the way through it sounded very samey. I love RHCP but I tend to jump around eras a little.

FK

I like the parts where they sang about California. I was a big fan of the Blood Sugar-era Chili Peppers. And I really liked this album when it first came out too. I guess that makes it obvious that I'm a big John Frusciante fan. I truly think he's one of the great underrated guitarists of our time, with his energetic and inventive playing bringing Hendrix vibes to the Chilis' funky chaos. This feels like a transitional album. They never really hit the highs of Blood Sugar Sex Magik again, but on this album they came close. They brought a nice blend of that earlier chaos with their newer, more mellow sound. I'm not the biggest fan of the direction they ended up going over the next few albums, but here, throughout Californication, they hit a sweet spot. Songs like "Get on Top", "I Like Dirt", "Purple Stain" and "Right on Time" bring back the funky bass-slapping madness of that Blood Sugar sound. But everything else is leaning far more towards their new sound: quieter, smoother and more mature. Both sides of the Chillis work well, but this album is at its best when they blend both styles in the same song. "Around the World" is the best example of that. It kicks things off with an incredible intro bursting with all the energy and chaos of the old Chillis. The verses are familiar territory with Kiedis' faux rapping swirling around Frusciante's tinny funk chords and Flea's incredible bass lines. But then the chorus shifts to a more accessible, smoother melody, the sound the band would lean into over the next few albums. Frusciante's fantastic guitar work is the key to the brilliance of the best songs on the album. "Scar Tissue" is uplifting, bright and full of laid-back California coolness. It's also one of the all-time classic riffs: simple, catchy and instantly recognisable. "Road Trippin'" is absolutely gorgeous. The fingerpicking, the minor to major key changes, the shift into jazz chords in the bridge, all augment the vocal harmonies, the subtle background orchestration and the overall melody of the song itself. A proper classic. And "Savior" is the most underrated song on the album. Switching between quiet acoustic moments and louder, more aggressive chord strumming that make way for sweeping, epic guitar solos bursting with a gorgeous tone. Three highlights of the album that couldn't exist without Frusciante's amazing guitar textures. Even though there are albums in between, Californication somehow feels like the sequel to Blood Sugar Sex Magik. And while it's not as clever or inventive as its predecessor, it has moments to rival it. Together, those two albums capture the Chilis at their peak, thanks in a large part to the genius of John Frusciante.

Maybe because it's such an overplayed record, but I feel a bit numb listening to it. It's definitely one of the best albums in this genre with tremendous staying power.

I forgot how much I enjoy Red Hot Chili Peppers. Definitely heard a lot of them in my childhood. Remember far more of the lyrics than I was expecting.

Another great bassist with Flea in this one. A couple of songs like Porcelain had a different sound than what I'm used to hearing from them, which was kind of cool to hear them mix it up a bit. Overall just a very fun band that got me moving in the morning and reminded me of early childhood.

Some albums almost feel like cheating rating them well because the artist in question is just good. This is one of them lmao. The first song, Around The World, pulls a Crazy Train on you by promising a completely different song with its opening before delivering something else entirely.

You know what? It's fine. I liked Scar Tissue and Otherside, but it suffers the safe problem as BSSM. It's just too long. Just as good though.

Jake: Greg: Annie:

I wasn’t sure of my expectations going into this, having never listened to the RHCP other than their singles. However, I really enjoyed this. The singles, of course, are great - “Otherside” and “Scar Tissue” are exceptional - but the album tracks hold up against what are now considered classics. Some of Flea’s bass lines are astonishing in their intricacy. Are the lyrics a bit bonkers (see: “microcosm”, as an example) - sure. Especially when I came to the conclusion the word “microcosm” could be found in the same song as “salty cheese” (it’s “salty cheeks”, apparently). But it works.

Anything Chad Smith is good!

This was everywhere in 99. I must’ve heard scar tissue a hundred times that summer. A banger of an album but about 15 minutes too long.

Good stuff. Nice tight playing.

Great album. So many hits.

I remember listening to this as a teenager and it’s still as good. The Peppers are somewhat overrated imo but there’s good stuff on this.

Har aldri vært en stor fan av bandet, men denne skiva er jo dritbra!

Klarer ikke å hate det. Mye nostalgi.

Love the album. A few misses but overall I can jam out to the entire thing.

This album is crazy good! I think about ten of these songs have been radio staples in Australia for a long time. Ten hit singles is unheard of right!! Couldn't give it five stars cos I'm not a truly massive fan of the peppers but this album is extraordinary

Very solid album. I marked 4 of the big tracks: Around the World, Scar Tissue, Otherside, Californication. But I enjoyed the whole thing. It is a little softer than their earlier work (e.g. Suck My Kiss) but it's solid nonetheless.

Great band! Already knew the most famous tracks but the others were also really good

fun

Why does this have some of the best songs of all time and some of the most boring songs of all time. Probably the most annoying band I’m a fan of Best Song: Otherside Rating: 8.5/10 Stars: 4/5

Starts off very strong with the monumental hits like "Scar Tissue" and "Otherside", but sadly (and mainly due to Kiedis being annoying as hell), a lot of the other songs on this album don't quite live up to the hype. Contextually I can see why this album would be looked back on fondly, but over time it doesn't hold up as well. Still, it's fairly enjoyable despite Kiedis being dumb.

Epitome of RHCP. Exactly what I would expect from them. Classic California sounds that makes me feel like I am in LA.

i miss summer

Sólido

Albúm emblemático com grandes bangers, no entanto tem outras músicas que não puxam tanto.

El que más me gusta de ellos.