Jane's Addiction - Nothing's Shocking

Jane’s Addiction is the symbol of alternative rock through the late 80s and early 90s and Nothing’s Shocking is their Led Zeppelin IV – a masterpiece which encompassed all the skills of the band and defined their roots and musical style. Namely, this record revolves around a lot of funk and metal – inspired mainly by Dave Navarro and Perry Farrell. However, neither of the two singles released received the credit or fame like they deserve.

Opening with Up The Beach, it provides a silent and overdriven guitar extended guitar chords to follow – reminding me of the 70s psychadelic and prog rock. Some beautiful phrases of guitar mixed with the occasical Farrell lyric present an ideal opening track showing what Jane’s Addiction is – at least musically at first.

Ocean Size is like Up The Beach, even with a similar title, at first.  Soft soothing acoustic guitar arpeggios until the rock gods come crashing down – with heavy percussion, lyrics and guitar riffs. Throughout the song, Farrell contrasts it with Navarro’s acoustic guitar track to his typical metal inspired solos. A beautifully wriiten song with contrasting styles through the song – typical of Jane’s Addiction.

Following we have Had A Dad and we are introduced to the funk metal that Jane’s Addiction is known for. Fast tempo,  with a catchy riff and goes right into guitar solos early on in the track. Lyrically, it is why I love Farrell and Jane’s Addiction with pauses in the track for the occasional yelp or caw.

Ted, Just Admit It… is slower with a ‘cool’ bassline and Farrell uses very strange sounds instead of those usual English words in the beginning of the track. Reminding me of funk jazz with a rock theme to it, we have very unique guitar licks with no real structure and is in real contrast to the repeated lyric ‘Nothing Shocking’ much like the album cover – two naked Siamese twins which is, well quite shocking to the normal human, but of course we are talking about Jane’s Addiction here.

Setting the tone for the album, it follows with several other tracks of similar style before we reach Mountain Song, the first single of the album, although the video clip was not initially released due to explicit content. A strong and catchy bassline, which really shows what alternative rock is and should be – hard rock and punk inspired music and uses some very good melody and the guitar effects make it even better – with overdrive and some short delay, I could listen to the track all day.

Idiots Rule follows and uses some more funk inspired guitar solo introductions with trumpet, and this really does make it alternative with extra and unneccesary instruments, well at least we thought that before. A strong bassline with a hint of slap makes it unnoticed due to the other instruments present but listen with good equipment, it makes it so much better.

Jane Says – the other single on the album, opens with the acoustic chord progression mixed with Farrell’s unique voice and this follows through the whole track making in more contrast and showing that Jane’s Addiction is more that fret-bashing and funk-metal solos. Although Farrell’s voice is so powerful that it almost takes over instead of the guitar.

Closing with Pig’s in Zen makes a good album an amazing album. Metal inspired riffs with short licks make it a great song to rock out to and even though Farrell’s lyrics are quite overpowering, the fantastic bassline and guitar takes over – just like all rock bands should. Cannot wait for February, 2010 – Soundwave is gonna go off!!!!
8/10
Upcoming review… I’m leaning towards The Get Up Kids or another minor act on the Lineup. Any requests?