Many figured that
the Red Hot Chili Peppers
' days as undisputed alternative kings were numbered after their lackluster 1995 release
One Hot Minute
, but like the great phoenix rising from the ashes, this legendary and influential outfit returned back to greatness with 1999's
Californication
. An obvious reason for their rebirth is the reappearance of guitarist
John Frusciante
(replacing
Dave Navarro
), who left
the Peppers
in 1992 and disappeared into a haze of hard drugs before cleaning up and returning to the fold in 1998.
Frusciante
was a main reason for such past band classics as 1989's
Mother's Milk
and 1991's
Blood Sugar Sex Magik
, and proves once and for all to be the quintessential
RHCP
guitarist.
Anthony Kiedis
' vocals have improved dramatically as well, while the rhythm section of bassist
Flea
and drummer
Chad Smith
remains one of
rock
's best. The quartet's trademark
punk
-
funk
can be sampled on such tracks as
"Around the World,"
"I Like Dirt,"
and
"Parallel Universe,"
but the more
pop
-oriented material proves to be a pleasant surprise --
"Scar Tissue,"
"Otherside,"
"Easily,"
"Purple Stain"
all contain strong melodies and instantly memorable choruses. And like their 1992 introspective hit
"Under the Bridge,"
there are even a few mellow moments --
"Porcelain,"
"Road Trippin',"
and the title track. With the instrumentalists' interplay at an all-time telepathic high and
Kiedis
peaking as a vocalist,
is a bona fide
Chili Peppers
classic. ~ Greg Prato