lambchops's Full Review: Ritual de lo Habitual by Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction was both punk and hard rock all rolled up into one odd package. The band rocked it's way through the 1980's and fertilized the seed that was to become alternative and grunge music in the 1990's.
The band first gained popularity in the mid 1980's on the streets of Los Angeles (they hailed from Hollywood). The motley crew was made up of four guys. Eric Avery was on bass, Perry Farrell twitched his way through the vocals, Dave Navarro was on guitars, and Stephen Perkins set the pace on drums. From the beginning, it was clear that Jane's Addiction was influenced by Iggy Pop and his Stooges, The Doors, and even the glam David Bowie. With rock roots like that, it would seem imminent that the band would find a way into the mainstream via punk kids. Sure enough, that's what happened.
Jane's Addiction released their self-titled debut in 1987. There were other lesser known recordings before hand, but this is the easiest place in which to start the story. This album held an early version of my favorite from them "Jane Says" in addition to fan favorite "Pigs in Zen". In addition, they recorded a homage to the Rolling Stones in the form of "Sympathy for the Devil.
The band's second album finally found some mainstream audience, but was also deemed a bit abrasive as a result of the nude sculpture on the cover and the punk attitude. Nothing's Shocking spent alot of time on the charts, but never found much following beyond the eclectic college radio stations and their followers. It wasn't until 1990's Ritual de lo Habitual that the guys from Hollywood gained a big following. The album eventually went gold and it produced a number of successful tracks.
But alas, all good things must come to an end. The band split and Farrell started the wonderfully successful Lollapalooza tour while Navarro became the lead guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. In 1997, a new lineup merged to record the live Kettle Whistle that included only two new songs. What fans are left with is a three-album legacy that includes most notably the aforementioned Ritual de lo Habitual.
The song I first heard from this album was "Been Caught Stealing". It was rather shocking to my ears at that point in time considering I was still listening to my men of Bon Jovi among other hair bands. But, this is just the musical variety that America needed in 1990. The funk-metal combination was groovy and infectious. After a few listens I was hooked. Now, it seems as though I was never without Jane's Addiction. This track is situated smack in the middle of the album. It's also got a great sense of humor. I've got to say that not many bands can incorporate a barking dog into their song. Farrell's voice leans directly toward the punk attitude. The bass and guitars are both funky and rock at the same time. This is classic alternative, classic rock, and classic Jane's Addiction.
The first track is also one of the favorites on the album. Entitled "Stop," is definitely punk-metal. It's one of my favorite tracks on the album as a result of it's spastic rhythms and punk beats. If a person who appreciates these genres has never heard the band, this song is a very appropriate place in which to be acquainted. Navaro's guitars make it very clear that he's around the industry to stay. Farrell's vocals are typical for the band. This song will remain an alternative rock classic along side of Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit and Pearl Jam's Jeremy.
Also a classic is the 9th (and last) track of the album appropriately titled "Classic Girl". The mellow guitars and tone of this song echo of earlier classics from the band like "Jane Says". The guitar-driven track augmented by Farrell's odd voice and attitude is great. The song picks up in real rock style. This is a must-listen for alt-rock fans everywhere. It's sad that this is the last song in the entire career of the original, and amazingly talented quartet.
Two songs on the album are hard-rocking punk anthems. "Three Days" and "There She Did..." are undeniably wonderful. The guitar line in the beginning of "Three Days" is reminiscent of what made the best Seattle bands the best. These are very likely some of the songs that led those bands to record the kind of music they ended up becoming famous for. The speaking in the background of the track reminds me of the speaking utilized by newer Metallica tracks and White Zombie. "There She Did..." also deserves a mention. It's very much in the same vein as the last mentioned song. It's slower and less spastic than some of the other band's tracks. Although, the style is definitely that of the alternative music I like the most. Farrell's voice is about as tender as it could be (somethat that seems almost impossible I realize). Avery's bass line sounds very much like what became known later as stereotypical grunge. Brilliant.
There are only a total of nine tracks on this album, so it's pretty easy to say something about each. "No One's Leaving" has a superb bass line. The attitude is definitely punk in that one. "Ain't No Right" has a funky drum line unlike anything else I've ever heard. It fact, the obvious influence to this track is...um...drugs. That's another thing that the band was well known for. I also hear noises that led to later bands like Queensryche and other harder rocking bands. It's "Obvious" that the third track has some odd influences. I feel a bit of Caribbean groove among other things in that one. It's not my favorite, but definitely more listenable than the vast majority of most other bands out there today. The eighth track is "Of Course". I don't know what to say about the Middle Eastern vibe to the song except that it's a welcomed change. This track shows that Jane's Addiction has more in them than just heavy punk-metal guitars. It actually sounds more like something that could have been produced by Farrell later in his career with Porno For Pyros or even by Led Zeppelin.
Jane's Addiction is some of the earliest alternative rock out there. This album is a classic to be shelved next to other alternative rock classics from some of the bands mentioned above. Don't miss out on this one. There are a few downsides. It's a very short album with only nine tracks. Also, it marks the end of the band's short career. It would seem with all of this praise I have for the album that I would be able to give it five stars. Alas, I cannot. If they had stuck around for a few more years Jane's Addiction would have given me the album I wanted. This wasn't quite it. It was somehow lacking. I would give it 4 1/2 stars. Instead, I will give it just four.
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