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This month marks 22 years since the release of Californication, the seventh studio album by Red hot chili peppers. The record hit stores on the 8th of June 1999.
1998 marked the return of John Frusciante who had departed from RHCP in 1992 during the group’s tour of Japan.
Frusciante had previously played on the 1989 album mother’s milk and 1991’s Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magik, but left the band abruptly midway through touring.
The Peppers recorded their sixth album, One Hot Minute, in 1995 without Frusciante, replacing him with Dave Navarro on guitar. But the record was a miss fire and it received mixed reviews. Meanwhile, Frusciante had developed a serious drug addiction and had taken up painting and had temporarily quit music altogether.
However, in 1998 Frusciante got sober and re-joined the group. Solidifying the band’s iconic line-up once more.
The band’s line-up consisted of Anthony Kiedis (vocals), Flea (Bass guitar), Chad Smith (Drums), and the before mentioned John Frusciante on guitar, for Califonication.
RCHP had some serious ground to make up after the commercial failure of One Hot Minute. They needed to get this one right to get back on track. And they certainly did.
Singles from the album, Scar tissue, Around The World, Otherside and Californication, let the world know that Red Hot Chili Peppers were back once again.
Californication picks up where Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magik left off. Singles like Give It Away and Under The Bridge, were the hits that transformed the group into superstars back in 1991.
Flea’s legendary bass playing, Smith’s heavy drumming, Frusciante’s inventive riffs, and Kiedis’ wacky lyrics, all contributed to this iconic album’s unique sound.
The lesser-known tracks on the album also pack a punch. Easily, Purple Stain, and Road Trippin, are all great songs that give me a strong sense of nostalgia.
My personal favourite track is Get On Top. The intense drumming and aggressive lyrics make sure that the song stands out.
A lot of the songs themselves are about the individual struggles that the band members had gone through in recent years. The Album was produced by Rick Rubin and the recording took place at Cello Studios in Los Angeles.
Californication proved to be one of, if not the best Red Hot Chili Peppers album. The record went onto to sell 15 million copies worldwide and reached number 3 on the Billboard hot 100 chart.
Californication proved to be the band’s biggest selling album.
Joe Strong