Read Review of Nothing's Shocking by Jane's Addiction
Review Summary
About the Author
Jane's Addiction: Everything and Nothing's Shocking
Apr 28 '04
Pros Some truly classic songs, great collaboration...
Cons A few strange, forgettable offerings...
The Bottom Line While not perfect, Nothing's Shocking is still one of the most influential albums of it's era. Decent stuff here.
Full Review
In the 1980’s, rock bands and artists struggled (often in vain) to break out of the mold and attract a sizable audience. More often than not uncommon rockers were pushed aside or just altogether ignored. But there were a select few that bucked the trends—Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Cult, The Jesus and Mary Chain, and Sonic Youth to name a few. Though there is another strange entity that came to prominence in the latter years of the decade.
Jane’s Addiction rose from obscurity with a flair for erotic drugged-up drama. The LA band was impossible to ignore; from provocative cover art to on-stage antics they aimed to separate themselves from the cattle. The combination of crazed eclectic Perry Farrell (vocals), guitarist Dave Navarro, bassist Eric Avery, and drummer Stephen Perkins shocked and entertained those who saw their live shows. But had it not been for the band’s music we wouldn’t still be talking about Jane’s Addiction today.
The band’s first album, a live self-titled debut, was recorded at the Roxy and released independently in 1987. That rather average recording caught the attention of a variety of major labels and Jane’s Addiction soon ended up signing to Warner Bros. The resulting first studio album was 1988’s Nothing’s Shocking which in turn landed on the Billboard Top 200 and spent 35 weeks on the charts. And while I don’t like it quite as much as followup Ritual de lo Habitual, I still am obligated to offer up credit where it is due.
Zero thought is really necessary in deeming Nothing’s Shocking a watershed album, but I do have to defend my opinion that this is by no means flawless (nor is any full-length effort from Jane’s Addiction). There are moments that certainly smack of brilliance, but on the whole I can’t help but feel a bit cheated by the whole experience. Though I suppose being cheated by Jane’s Addiction is about a zillion times better than being entertained by Creed (damn I suck for my jokes about Crud). Had it not been for the popularity and subsequent influence of Jane’s Addiction many other bands wouldn’t have ever been given a chance to thrive. The Smashing Pumpkins, Tool, and Alice in Chains to name a few are clear outgrowths of the direction of this experimental proto-alt-metal rock band. Plus, the whole Seattle grunge movement (or whatever the not-so-cliché term of the moment it) has owes a debt of gratitude to the innovation of Jane’s Addiction.
Fortunately for listeners Nothing’s Shocking offers up some mean rock n’ roll. It is abrasive, crazy, and weird but you know what? It’s also on the whole rather invigorating and entertaining. The only real downfall to Nothing’s Shocking is that it is sometimes so chaotic and abrasive that I nearly lose interest. This is the kind of album that is worth taking the time to stick out the occasional bad moment.
The most excellent songs are unforgettable. They are the kinds of things that you can’t get out of your head. It is as though some invisible omnipotent force grabs my hand and makes me hit repeat and listen again (and again and again…). The band’s unique blend of alternative, metal, and progressive is most successful on classics Mountain Song and Jane Says. While my personal favorite of the entire Jane’s Addiction song library happens to be Jane Says, it is Mountain Song that is probably technically their best. With one of the most distinctive bass lines in rock history, the track charges across the stereo with incredible energy and style. Play this one loud—it’s better that way!
Jane Says is on the other hand one of the most unique acoustic rock tracks out there. For this reason (among others) it is my favorite from Jane’s Addiction. It’s a trippy set chock full of kettle drums, acoustic guitars, and Farrell’s distinctive nasal yelp. The low-key arrangement is distinctive amongst the otherwise harder rocking selections. You’ve heard it, you’ve loved it—plus, it was released again in 1997 live in support of odds n’ sods album Kettle Whistle.
The list of songs I honestly and completely love is long—from album opener Up the Beach through the bombastic ender Pigs in Zen there is much about Nothing’s Shocking to love. Up the Beach is one of the more dramatic/progressive offerings while Pigs in Zen is one of the more exuberant. There is something here for most every listener. I even must say I really enjoy Ted, Just Admit It--a song about serial killer Ted Bundy. The album is serious and adventurous at the same time it is ridiculous. Other highlights are killer anthem Ocean Size, the lighter and more upbeat Standing in the Shower…Thinking, and lastly the theatrical movement Summertime Rolls.
But as I said earlier, not everything is perfect. Had a Dad is exceptionally harsh and while I can’t help but love Navarro’s guitar work Farrell’s vocals are drowned out by the overly thick arrangement. It just doesn’t go anywhere or appeal to my tastes. Idiots Rule includes a great fantastic trumpet, but the song again lacks momentum and in the end I find myself just plain bored. Finally, I’m mystified by the inclusion of Thank You Boys. There are no other skits or snippets, so this lounge-act styled thing-a-ma-bob is absolutely misplaced.
On the whole, Nothing’s Shocking is an excellent though not flawless album. It is a necessary addition to any rock collection (as is Ritual de lo Habitual for many of the same reasons). Most recently, Jane’s Addiction reformed with the original member (sans Avery who refused the invitation) to release 2003’s Strays. While that album isn’t as powerful as the band’s previous efforts it is still a refreshing piece of Jane’s Addiction pie.
Enjoy it for what it’s worth.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Track Listing:
01. Up the Beach
02. Ocean Size
03. Had a Dad
04. Ted, Just Admit It
05. Standing in the Shower…Thinking
06. Summertime Rolls
07. Mountain Song
08. Idiots Rule
09. Jane Says
10. Thank You Boys
11. Pigs in Zen
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