Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction, in its original incarnation (the late 80s - early '90s), was one of those bands that built a huge cult following but never reached the masses. Maybe they were better for it. With Perry Farrell (vocals), Eric Avery (bass, acoustic guitar), Dave Navarro (guitar) and Stephen Perkins (drums), Jane's Addiction plied Metal, Progressive Rock and Folk with a heady dexterity. Aside from the sprawling vistas provided by Navarro's guitar, Jane's Addiction was powered by Farrell's progressive lyrics. Never one to rehash Rock clichés, Farrell expanded the lyrical horizons taking shots at the current philosophical trends with "Pigs In Zen" or tapping into those moments that everyone has but can never articulate, "Standing In The Shower...Thinking." Both songs are on the group's premier effort "Nothing's Shocking."
Jane's Addiction formed in L.A. in the mid-80s as New Wave was in its death throes and Glam Metal was riding high (thanks to MTV). A self-tiled live album hit in '87 and was followed by "Nothing's Shocking" in '88. Two years passed before the release of their last studio album with the original line-up, "Ritual De Lo Habitual." Farrell launched Lollapalooza in '91 as a traveling festival. Ironically, it turned out to be Jane Addiction's farewell tour.
Farrell started Prono For Pyros who produced two albums and are best known for the tongue-in-cheek "Pets" ("we'll make great pets" meaning the human race). Narvarro joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers. In '97 the group re-formed with the Pepper's Flea on bass for "Kettle and Whistle" which contained unreleased material and new tracks. A tour followed. The group returned again in '03 amid much hoopla (a Rolling Stone article and Spin cover) with their album "Strays." Bassist Chris Chaney was the only non-original member.
Jane's Addiction was awarded the Godlike Genius Award for Extraordinary Services to Music at the first U.S. NME Awards in L.A. At the '08 ceremony, the original line-up performed for the first time since '91. Prior to the show Avery, a longtime holdout, expresses his enthusiasm. "I must admit that it has felt really good so far in both heart and mind."
"The future is now," could have been a Jane's Addiction marketing slogan. Many of the sounds, styles and subject matter now common place are first heard here. Clearly, Jane's Addiction found an audience among musicians, especially the next generation. Navarro, Avery and Perkins are an explosive unit capable of changing on a dime to further Farrell's lyrics. Two albums show the group's brilliance, "Nothing's Shocking" and "Ritual De Lo Habitual." "Shocking" has probably the group's best known song "Jane Says" but that's just the tip. The "oh come now" slam of mass murderer Ted Bundy on "Ted, Just Admit It" is worth the price admission. "Ritual" has the fiery speed Rocker "Stop" and the acoustic based- rhythmically irresistible "Been Caught Stealing."
While "Strays" is not on a par with "Shocking" or "Ritual" but it's still a great album and worthy of all the promotion that surrounded it. Opening with the cascading guitars of "True Nature" the album segues into the accessible groove of "Just Because." It's first single material all the way. The title track ponders the ability to "always find trouble." The threadbare topic broached in "Superhero" ("want to be your superhero") is a little weak but the song still packs some punch.
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