Californication is in top five comeback albums on 411mania
In the 411 Mania‘s column top 5, this week’s theme is Top 5 comeback albums and, according to Dan Marsicano, What The Hell Happened To…, News, Reviewer, Californication made it to the top. And, naturally, the explanation focuses on John.
5. Californication: by Red Hot Chili Peppers – The mid-90’s were probably the bleakest period for the funk metal band Red Hot Chili Peppers. 1995’s One Hot Minute didn’t sell as well as their previous albums and relations between new guitarist Dave Navarro and the band deteriorated. Former guitarist John Frusciante was near death from a drug addition that was eating him alive and the other band members started to sub come to the deadly temptation of heroin. Navarro left and Frusciante was brought back into the band. Songs would take a while to come out, but finally, in 1999, Californication was released and brought the band back into the spotlight. The album sold over 15 million copies worldwide and hits “Scar Tissue” and the title track would top the charts nationwide. Californication is the album that saved the band from obscurity and showed that they still had some life left in them.
And, according to Blake Lauderback, Californication would be the second album on his list.
The argument against this being a great comeback album is that its predecessor, One Hot Minute, actually sold very well, but it was not very highly regarded by the fans, or for that matter the band itself. Dave Navarro was given his walking papers shortly after its release. Californication is the first album after the return of guitar player John Frusciante, and his presence made all of the difference. Not only did Californication continue their financial success, but it put the band back on track creatively, and they are still riding that wave of greatness to this day. Plenty of can’t miss tracks including “Otherside” and the title track.
*Thanks to orangevarld for the correction.
