Californication
Reunited with producer Rick Rubin and guitarist John Frusciante (both of whom were on board for the 1991's breakthroughBlood Sugar Sex Magik), the Chili Peppers waste no time in burying their last effort, the so-soOne Hot Minute.Californication's kickoff cut, "Around the World," swaggers around the room, reacquainting itself with old fans and welcoming new ones. FuzzyHendrixvibes and popcorn bass lines still rule the roost, along with a heaping helping of disco magic and some unexpected twists. Ten years ago, Anthony Kiedis and company wouldn't have been comfortable doing revamped new wave ("Parallel Universe") or unpretentious ballads (the acoustic "Road Trippin'"), but such material fitsCalifornication's extra-wide canvas. Except for a few meandering numbers that could have been excised, the Red Hot Chili Peppers succeed and regain their footing on the mountain of adrenalized funk.--Jason Josephes