10 Greatest Comebacks In Rock History
9. Californication - Red Hot Chili Peppers
It was practically a miracle that the Red Hot Chili Peppers were even able to break the mainstream in the early '90s. Even though most rock music was being imported from the city of Seattle, these funk bros from California were able to break through with Blood Sugar Sex Magik fueled by the verbal spit of Anthony Kiedis and the amazing licks coming off of John Frusciante's fretboard. However, things took a turn for the worse when Frusciante decided to call it quits.
Determined to soldier on without their guitar legend, The Peppers recruited Jane's Addiction guitar slinger Dave Navarro, but the magic was not gelling anymore. Things may have looked dismal, but once Frusciante found sobriety, the band struck back in full force on Californication. As opposed to the more somber affair on the band's previous One Hot Minute, this entire record sounds like healing, as the band are willing to part with their demons if it means they can continue playing the music they love.
Even though the record is a bit on the long side at 15 tracks, there isn't a boring moment in sight, with Frusciante roaring back to life with a balance of melodic phrasing and funky grooves. The Peppers seemed done for by the end of the millennium, but Californication proved that the allure of their West Coast magic is evergreen.