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With the release of 1991's Blood Sugar Sex Magik, the Red Hot Chili Peppers became one of rock music's elite. Before that album, the band were little more than a moderately successful funk/rock group, influenced by Sly Stone, James Brown and George Clinton, but not really influencing anyone in their own right. Until Blood Sugar. Now they're one of the bands to watch. How long they'll remain in that particular spotlight depends on the quality of their music, and Californication, their newest offering, indicates they may have lost their footing. By now, you've likely heard the radio staple Scar Tissue. Along with Otherside, these two tracks stand easily as the two best on the album. The problem with Californication is a little hard to define. The presence of guitarist John Frusciante, who hasn't played with the band since Blood Sugar Sex Magik, should have helped, but really doesn't. Which is odd indeed, considering his playing has never been better. In fact, all the band members are in top form, from the excellent rhythm section comprised of virtuoso bassist Flea and drummer Chad Smith, to the distinctive vocal stylings of lead singer Anthony Kiedis. So what's wrong? Listening to Californication, I couldn't help but think that the Chili Peppers are no longer in the mood for the style of driving, funky hard rock exemplified on Blood Sugar Sex Magik. They have grown more mature...more sombre. They've dealt with the death of a band member from a heroin overdose, and the heroin addictions of Kiedis and, more heavily, Frusciante. Overnight, they went from relative commercial success to pop superstars, a role it seems the bandmembers, with the possible exception of Flea, have grown tired of, and which Kiedis especially never seemed to embrace. They've dealt with the critical trashing of their 1995 album One Hot Minute. And, as importantly as any of the aforementioned, they're getting older, and presumably, wiser and more introspective. That's why emotionally-charged, solemn tracks like Scar Tissue and Otherside work, and attempts at the funky material that the Chili Peppers used to have so much fun with, don't. The Chili Peppers may, and probably will, get back into the right mood for the funk/metal fusion they're noted for, but listening to Californication, it sounds like at the moment, that wasn't something they cared enough about. Attempts at it on Californication simply make the album suffer.
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