I am not an avid fan of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Though I like my music their sound is not always been for me. This is the first album from them that I have really got into, and I have to say that I am impressed.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are a four piece funk/rock band. Lead vocals from Anthony Kiedis, guitar John Frusciante and bassist Flea and drummer Chad Smith. This album, their seventh is very much a mixture of sounds, some such as ‘Get on Top’ which has a real upbeat funk feel to another variation of rock. Both are equally good, though I have to say I still prefer the later. The album also is written by the band and shows some great little touches. Though not perfect it is developing and the vocals have improved. Some tracks sound and carry a very depressing message behind them. An example of this is ‘Otherside’ and there are the usual drugs rock and roll thing going on in ‘Parallel Universe’
The whole album seems to be based around the theme of California. More to the point the whole fascination and the belief in dreams there and how they are never going to come true. The word California comes up in the lyrics in about five or six songs as well as the title of the album and one of the tracks. ‘It’s understood Hollywood sells Californication’, ‘We all stay good, cause we all live in Hollywood’ speaks volumes about the fake dreams and feelings about the west coast. Interesting how scathing they are though I have to agree
with them.
1. Around the World This opening song has a great intro and a great way to sign in for the new album. Ends well but does slip back in the middle. Good lyrics showing real life examples and good drumming throughout. Overall a good song and a good way to start off.
‘I know, I know for sure, that life is beautiful around the world’
2. Parallel Universe Quicker and louder than the first song. I like this, great music. Has a really good chorus, which is one of the best on the album where the guitars come alive. The parallel universe is the world of drugs and the strange results of them.
‘I swear it’s everywhere, it’s everything’
3. Scar Tissue The first single off the album and possible one of the most heard track off the album. Not one of my first favorites, this is a very quiet and slower tempo song. Catchy chorus and the whole song has a nice feeling to it.
‘With the birds I’ll share this lonely view’
4. Otherside Another slower song and one of the darker tracks. The lyrics are very depressing with the line ‘slitting my throat is all I ever’ amongst them. Nice song despite what is behind it and easy to listen to.
‘Stranger things could never change my mind, I’ve got to take it on the otherside’
5. Get on Top Great song again as this picks up the pace and is much better in my opinion. The song has a great speed and just a great way of flowing through from start to finish. Not the deepest or most lyrically song, still great though.
‘Compilations of a mastermind, last temptation of my mind’
6. Californication The title track and still one of the best on here. This was the song that finally tempted me to splash out on this, and I like this. Again a slow and acoustic song but is powerful and loud in its own right. The moral behind the song is the fake world of Hollywood and all the hype behind it.
‘It’s understood that Hollywood sells Californication’
7. Easily Good song that is again a quicker version. The guitars are much easier to spot and it lasts all the way through. Good lyrics as well – ‘the story of a woman on the morning of a war – remind me if you will exactly what we are fighting for’ and ‘you think it’s almost over – but it’s only on the rise’. Nice song
‘Easily, lets get carried away’
8. Porcelain Not my favourite song on the album. This is too slow and just does not do anything. The quietest song on the album, one of the advantages that is it also quite short. Only the vocals can be heard at times, not the best.
‘Porcelain, are you wasting away in your skin’
9. Emit Remmus Another great chorus where the guitars really sound like they are working. Nice song including the chorus, strong bass and guitars all the way through.
‘London in the summer time, cuss me out and it’ll feel all right’
10. I Like Dirt An interesting title, which comprises the chorus as well and a very good song though. Upbeat and up tempo which has a really good feel to it. Simple song that has a great feel to it and nice and easy to listen to.
‘I Like dirt, I like dirt’
11. This Velvet Glove Another soft and acoustic introduction the verses are generally quiet though still have an electric guitar overlay on them. The chorus picks up a with a quicker sound and a great contrast. Overall a quality song both with music and lyrics.
‘Your solar eyes are like nothing I have ever seen’
12. Savior Strange song this, broken up with a bit of a twist on the vocals. There is a sort of second part to this song as it changes tone a bit and gets lighter about halfway through but the chorus is more vocal and not a bad song though not my favourite.
‘Dusting off your savior forgiving any behavior’
13. Purple Stain Another strong funk sound to the track, great bass playing and sounds great. Especially good on the catchy chorus, and again this song plays on the morals of Hollywood with the line ‘knock on wood we all stay good, cause we all live in Hollywood’
‘It’s way out there, but I don’t care, cause this is what I want to wear’
14. Right on Time Short but sweet song and one of my favourites overall, and a good song towards the end of the album. More rock style from them and this is another great quality song. Like ‘Purple Stain’ a catchy song.
‘Plain and simple pain, I want to but I cant complain’
15.Road Trippin’ Nice end to the album, smooth and relaxing with another acoustic number. Nice vocals and though not one of the most memorable songs on the album a nice touch to finish a good album.
‘Road trippin’ with my favourite allies, fully loaded we got snacks and supplies’
Overall this has some great moments, full of some great bass and other guitars smooth vocals and some well-written lyrics. A great sound and I recommend this to people who may be into this style of funk rock. Great album.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
You absolutely sold this album to me. You evaluated each track with great depth and gave me a great sense of what this album is all about. You deserve exceptional, I loved it. I'd love it if you could write a review on the upcoming coldplay album coming out in june i'd like to see what you make of it. Thanks Alot.
Following a string of unsatisfactory replacements (including former Jane's Addiction alum ... more
Dave Navarro),Californication--the band's seventh album--saw them reunited with both errant guitarist John Frusciante (hauled out of a long and debilitating heroi...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Following a string of unsatisfactory replacements (including former Jane's Addiction alum ... more
Dave Navarro), Californication--the band's seventh album--saw them reunited with both errant guitarist John Frusciante (hauled out of a long and debilitating hero...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Following a string of unsatisfactory replacements (including former Jane's Addiction alum ... more
Dave Navarro), this album--the band's seventh--saw them reunited with both errant guitarist John Frusciante (hauled out of a long and debilitating heroin addictio...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: Contains some stunnning songs, great guitar riffs, thumping bass and drums combine excellently with great vocals and lyrics. Disadvantages: There are a couple of weak songs which mean only four stars not five
Mar 29th, 2002
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