Label: Warner Bros.
Release Date: August 21, 1990
Thanks to RezZ for the link
This was the second studio album from Jane's Addiction, and compared to their previous effort in Nothing's Shocking, a bit more rock in it's step. I was a bit saddened by this, seeing as NS had more of a primal and natural edge to it. Even so, after listening to the album, i found much to love in it. this was released a year before Nirvana's Nevermind and was hailed as a harbinger of things to come, and i can see that, with that sort of tone in the music as well as a sense of freedom in what they're doing. another thing Eric Avery it seems has more of a bass presence on here, which as a guy who loves bass presence, i see that as a Big Plus
.
Something i found out when i was getting the information on this album was how it was divided into two parts, where tracks 1-5 were their more rockish oriented songs, track 6-9 are in whole a tribute to Perry Farrel's deceased friend Xiola Blue, who died at age 19 of a heroin overdose. the tracks seem to be a chronicle of her life.
In all i give this album a 9.5/10, with much of it's new ideas and the direction it showed the band going into, this is a must have for any Jane's Addiction fan and fan of music in general.
Stop!-Beginning with someone presenting the band in spanish this song then switches time signatures like clothes, only to "STOP!" at various points that make it as uncomfortable as it is exciting.
No One's Leaving - Slapping da bass, didn't know Eric Avery had it in him
. the guitar seems to surround you in a cloud of effects, even during the solo.
Ain't No Right - i feel a bit alienated listening to the beginning of the song, with Perry talking about "Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll" like it's a bad thing
. then when you think it's over, it goes to a song more their sound and feel, with funky bass, guitar and primal drums to match
Obvious - a bit calmer than the previous song, but still as intense. It seems to be a plateau song for them, where things run smooth the whole way.
Been Caught Stealing - Definately one of their biggest hits, but not my favorite JA song. nothing wrong with it, i'm just so tired of hearing that by them and ONLY that on rock radio. Even so, i think that it definately deserves a listen for anyone who wants to hear this band.
Three Days - ah, the ten minute epic. it seems that these guys have crossed into that territory. with a very slow and calm bassline from Avery from the start, it goes into a just a slow song, where you could feel the pain in Perry's voice. it starts to pick up, but still the same feeling with a bit more guitar. The solo in this song is possibly Dave Navarro's best effort, with him stepping a bit outside the ol' pentatonic scale and exploring some new territory. definately give this song a listen, you'd be denying yourself something great if you didn't.
Then She Did... - this song seems to be a bit more intimate in its approach than any of the previous ones, starting off calmed and then going into the band's massive sound, complete with violins! It then comes back to the more quiet, inward feel of before.
Of Course - i smell a bit of Middle Eastern influence! It starts with that and Perry sounding like he's half asleep, but in a good way as he keeps bringing "La La, La La, La La, La La" into the mix.
Classic Girl- The final song on the album seems to feel like the night after a huge party, waking up with a hangover and looking around to see all of your stuff either tampered with, damaged, or stolen. it's also a sense of peace and calm in the air. Even with the shift at approximately 2:45, it still holds that feeling.