Ritual De Lo Habitual

Perry Ferrel always sounds like he is trying to sing while both furiously masturbating and dropping a deuce at the same time, which really brings down what otherwise contains a lot of really great songs

Remember when Wayne Campbell said to Cassandra Wong after watching Crucial Taunt play for the first time, "You guys really wail"? That bonehead sentiment sums up the scope of the vision here. Each song is constructed around the myth of the transportive rawk solo, either side of which the band emit attentuated squeaks, flail lamely with all the other parts of making a song, leaning on art poses like the excruciating freeform bit halfway through Then She Did... when they run out of steam. Sadly for them, when they arrive at the climax they so desperately seek it's only ever a sad dribble in the hand and a drip or two on the tummy. A very irritating listen.

Jane’s Addiction has always been a band that I’ve liked their singles but never really dove in. This album made me realize how great of a full album band they are. This record is awesome from beginning to end, and the last four tracks really carry a lot of that weight. Even with two tracks coming back to back to make up 20+ minutes of the whole album, it really is most of the musical and emotional content of the album. Front half is for guitar-hero riffage, back half is for artistry.

This was a surprise, an excellent metal/rock album. A great mix of shorter catchy tracks and longer more progressive ones, 'three days' is amazing. 4.5, rounding up since it'll probably grow on me

Not my genre, but pleasantly surprised

Je dois dire que je n'ai pas tellement apprécié cet album. Il fut néanmoins sauvé des flammes de la nullité par son côté teenage rock à la con qui me rappela mes années collège. Vous vous demandez sûrement comment mon compagnon d'écoute eltrapeze et moi nous sommes rencontrés. Préparez-vous une infusion et laissez-moi tout vous raconter depuis le début. Le jour de la rentrée dans mon nouveau collège, il était prévu que les élèves de sixième devaient se réunir dans une salle pour savoir quelle classe leur serait attribuée. Au moment d'entrer dans celle-ci, j'aperçus une foule de nouveaux élèves attendant patiemment que la cérémonie ne commence. Soudain, une femme monta sur l'estrade vers laquelle les regards convergeaient et s'empara d'un micro : « Bonjour à tous, quand j'appellerai votre nom, vous vous avancerez. Je placerai alors le Casque Audio sur votre tête, et vous serez répartis dans vos classes. » Le Casque Audio en question était un casque audio des plus classiques, à cette différence près qu'il était très large et que des traits de visage humains apparaissaient sur sa partie supérieure, et notamment une bouche. La femme appela soudain une première élève. Une fois, le casque posé sur sa tête, des mots émanèrent de celui-ci : « Ahh, je vois… Hmmm… Oui … D'accord… Sixième shoegaze ! » La salle applaudit et l'élève s'en alla rejoindre sa classe. « Eltrapeze ?! » appela ensuite la femme au micro. Un petit bonhomme tout frêle émergea de la foule et s'avança jusqu'à l'estrade. La femme se saisit alors du Casque Audio. « Sixième trip-hop ! » s'écria celui-ci à peine posé sur le haut de sa tête. La salle applaudit à nouveau. « Tous les élèves qui ont mal tourné étaient en Sixième trip-hop... » m'indiqua un camarade situé à ma gauche. Une nouvelle élève fut appelée. Après un moment d'hésitation, le Casque Audio donna son verdict : « Hmm, j'ai trouvé… Sixième post-punk ! » Une vive douleur au crâne me fit laisser échapper un gémissement. « Qu'est-ce que tu as ? » me demanda mon camarade de gauche, l'air inquiet. « Rien… rien, ça va… » lui répondis-je la main posé sur le front. Ce fut au tour de ce dernier. « Ahhh… encore un Morrissey… Pas la moindre hésitation… Sixième jangle-pop ! » trancha le Casque Audio. « Robchimistoubijoutière ?! » appela soudain la femme au micro. Les regards se tournèrent alors vers moi. Une éternité sépara l'instant à partir duquel je me mis en route vers l'estrade et celui au terme duquel le casque fut posé sur ma tête. « Hmm… difficile, très difficile… je vois beaucoup de courage et des qualités intellectuelles aussi, il y a du talent, oh oui, et un grand désir de faire ses preuves, alors où vais-je te mettre… — Pas en post-punk, pas en post-punk... — Pas en post-punk n'est-ce pas ? Tu es sûr ? Tu as d'immenses qualités, je le vois dans ta tête… et le post-punk t'aiderait à avancer sur le chemin de la grandeur, ça ne fait aucun doute ! — S'il vous plaît, s'il vous plaît.. Pas en post-punk... — Bien, si tu es sûr de toi…. Il vaut mieux… Sixième shoegaze ! » La salle applaudit et je rejoignis mes camarade de la sixième shoegaze. Ce fut la première fois que je voyais eltrapeze. Nos premiers échanges ne se dérouleront que plus tard en classe d'option Musique Électronique Allemande & Krautrock, mais j'aborderai ceux-ci dans une critique ultérieure.

An album I just love, from the funky shorter songs like 'Been caught stealing' to the soaring 'Three days'. Everything feels well thought out, inventive and cohesive.

Didn't think this was my cup of tea at the start… and was ready for the first three songs to be over not long after they started. Then the song “Obvious” came on and I found myself starting to like what I was hearing. "Been Caught Stealing" was great! “Three Days” was a pleasant surprise… Incredible guitars. Wow! “Then She Did” followed that and… am I a Jane’s Addiction fan? A haunting song… Where did “Of Course” come from? This is great stuff… followed by “Classic Girl”… a perfect ending. I started this listen wondering if I could make it to the end, and ended up blown away by Jane’s Addiction. Great album!

Perfect 90s album. It has a distinctive sound and feels like an addict experiencing the ecstacy and devestation of addiction.

I bought this CD the day it was released. Super excited, as their previous album, Nothing’s Shocking, was a huge favorite. Much to my dismay, my disc had the censored artwork - as you can see from the picture, this highly offensive material needed to be hidden from the youth frequenting BestBuy. This album did not disappoint. Love the opening track “Stop!” is a banger - great energy. The next three tracks are solid - especially “Ain’t No Right”, but the highlight for me was and is “Been Caught Stealing”. Our old dog Sydney loved this song too, and she always sang along to the opening. I am also a fan of “Classic Girl” which shows a soft edge for this abrasive group. Janes and this album strongly influenced the sound of rock/alternative that followed. A strong four, so I’m rounding up for the dogs.

This album was all the rage right when I was about to graduate college. I would guess most fans of music are well aware of Stop and Been Caught Stealing. After listening to this album, I'm going to say Stealing is the band's cheesy pop tune to get radio play. Look, I like the song, but for this listener, seemed out of place on this album. Album starts out just a rocking then goes deep, but maintains the banging sound. Not normally a fan of long songs, but really liked Three Days. The violin in Of Course would make Charlie Daniels proud! In Ain't No Right, loved the line about skin and bones, pointy nose, but it MFing makes me try. There are lot of great deep lyrics an a lot to like about this album. Nice range of lyrics and style of songs. Last several songs were probably my favorites. Three Days, Then She Did, Of Course and Classic girl. Have to admit, I never really got into Jane's when younger. A couple of my co-workers and my son have told me these guys are fantastic in concert. I have been getting more and more into their stuff and hopefully 2024 I see live for the first time. Really enjoyed this album 4

Suite à l'annonce de robbrindegruyère de son erreur, je m'empressais de contacter Robert afin de le mettre au courant. Robert était supéfait: il avait pourtant accordé sa pleine confiance à rob, qu'il considérait jusqu'alors comme son bras droit. Je tentais d'arrondir les angles, expliquant que rob avait été pris par surprise par la mère de sa famille d'accueil. Compréhensif mais néammoins furieux, Robert décrocha son téléphone, prononça quelques mots en espagnol, et raccrocha rapidement le combiné. Je compris de suite ce qu'il venait de faire: une équipe de tueurs en série était déjà en route pour éliminer, non pas rob, mais la personne qui l'avait poussé à fauter. rob quand a lui, se voit retirer sa place de bras droit, qui me revient logiquement de droit. Si e jvous raconte cette histoire, c'est à titre préventif, pour bien vous faire comprendre qu'il ne faut pas chercher à jouer avec le générateur. Ici, la mère de famille en a payé le prix fort, mais Robert ne souhaite pas de nouveau avoir besoin d'en arriver là. A bon entendeur.

One of my favorites.

Holds up. Amazing performances, energy.

Love this album! Such a unique fusion of different influences.

As a person who existed in the US in the ‘90s and listened to the alternative rock radio stations, I of course have heard “Stop” and “Been Caught Stealing” many times before. But the rest of this album is really very good, and if “Been Caught Stealing” wasn’t generally kind of overplayed I probably would have listened to it before. I’m not sure it’s quite on par with some of my other 5-star ratings but I really have enjoyed it so there you go.

I liked this, probably will listen again. Been caught stealing is a Rock Band Classic and the longer songs all work pretty well. I’d take off half a star bc the vocals aren’t stellar and the end kinda drags. Cool album art

Can’t believe I used to not love this. What an album

No. 270/1001 Stop! 4/5 No One's Leaving 3/5 Ain't No Right 3/5 Obvious 3/5 Been Caught Stealing 3/5 Three Days 3/5 (2x) Then She Did… 3/5 (2x) Of Course 2/5 (2x) Classic Girl 3/5 Average: 2,83 Really overstayed it's welcome for me.

Ritual de lo Habitual Been Caught Stealing is the only Jane’s Addiction song I know, and it’s a great track. Other than that I don’t know much about them apart from Dave Navarro being the guitarist and the singer’s clunky pun name. Red Hot Chili Peppers I suppose are the obvious comparison, especially with the Navarro Connection, even if they aren’t completely analogous, but I did find this much more enjoyable than I generally find RHCP. Farrell is similarly not a great vocalist although in a slightly less annoying way, despite a huge preponderance of ‘Whooahs’ and ‘Yeahs’, and their tendency for slower, more drone like songs among the funk rock makes them a slightly more interesting proposition. Things Like Obvious, Three Days and Then She Did sound a little like pre Urban Hymns Verve, a more spacey vibe than hard rock or funk rock. Been Caught Stealing is the stand out for me, but the run from that song to Then She Did is good, with much more groove and feeling than the first half. Of Course is a bit of a stinker though - big DurkaDurkastan vibes. I enjoyed this, there’s some good stuff happening between the harder rock moments, and when they go for the lower tempo grooves it works pretty well, and is a lot more listenable than a lot of other early 90s US rock bands. A solid 3 - wouldn’t be averse to listening again, but I may not necessarily seek it out 👩👩👩 Playlist submission: Been Caught Stealing

Yooooo Guitar Hero 2 was my favourite in the series, and this brought me back. That one track 3 intro with the drums has me thinking about "Love is a Battlefield", which I can't help but wish I was listening to instead.

I really struggle with Perry Farrell's voice. I love hearing it on one song, but I don't really vibe with it for a whole album. That said, I still dig the bass and guitar work throughout. The division of side A and side B dealing with Perry's mother's death is interesting, and a project worth listening to, but not something I'd find myself coming back to much. This one's just a 3.5 for me.

His voice has always annoyed me. Some good tracks here though.

Solid alternative rock one of the driving incidences that much 80s and 90s music however the music was a little basic.

Cool album. Really grew into the second half.

I only knew "Been Caught Stealing". I like this song, but they others were not memorable to me. It's a bit too slow for my test. Not a bad listen though.

Has a few of the songs I like (Then she did...) but overall wasn't as good as I expected. They are definitely experimental for the 90s

Not sure how I feel about this album. There were a couple songs I enjoyed but not sure it really hit with me in the way I wanted it to.

A bunch of whiny Californian nonces faffing about

Meh. I've tried several times to explore Jane's Addiction's catalogue and I'm always left thinking "okay". This album changed nothing. Don't get the hype at all.

This opens with “Stop”. If only. Simon: I know you hate Thom Yorke’s voice, but surely Perry’s is more annoying?

so irritating, so boring, so shit

Who is Jane and why is she addicted to making such bad music. Besides the two hits the rest sounds like it was written on heroin.

As much as I resent Jane’s Addiction for making Dave Navarro famous, this is a good album.

Made me have flashbacks to going out to the utility trails in my suburb and drinking liquor stolen from my parents with other bad kids

Really enjoyed this. Good combo of upbeat hard rock tracks and slower proggier tracks. Great bass lines and guitar work, will reward multiple listens.

Excellent. Have always enjoyed this.

I can't objectively rate this album since this is was what I listened to in 1990. A lot. One thing that stands out is how satisfying it is play through the whole album in one sitting, it has a good arc. And Three Days improved with time.

This must be “albums my ex wife liked” week.

I bought this album the week it was released. I saw Jane's Addiction at one of the last shows they performed as part of their initial run (Sydny Hordern Pavillion, June 1991), which was, frankly awesome. On stage relations were clearly frosty, but not yet to the point of fists thrown. I loved this album at the time because it heralded change. Metal in the 80s was mostly spandex-clad, poodle-haired posturing and bloat, smeared with two-handed tapping guitar solos and banshee wailing, simultaneously homoerotic and sexist. The two bands that blasted onto the scene to clean house were Guns 'n Roses, with their street-smart grittiness and Jane's Addiction, who presented with a much more bohemian approach. Both were obsessed with sex and drugs, but Jane's seemed much more interested in blowing open the doors of perception than Guns more self-destructive quest to get trashed. Jane's were a real call back to the promise of Led Zep -- a bit more mystical, artier, expansive. It was fresh and exciting and dangerous and different and sexy and free from a restrictive morality; "Ain't no wrong, ain't no right. There's only pleasure and pain". Farrell had a genuinely free (and amoral) artistic sensibility. It was different and dangerous and unpredictable, which was enthralling at the time. And you didn't feel stupid while you were listening to it. Farrell is a charismatic and mesmerizing front man, despite his idiosyncratic and sometimes bizarre vocal style. He is objectively a terrible singer, but it works within context. God knows how many takes they had to do to comp together something in tune. But the band is awesome, and Dave Navarro is one of the last true guitar heroes. He was never better than on this record, and there is some astounding lead playing (notably on Three Days). The rhythm section is solid and dynamic and the whole album is arranged with light and shade and space in way you don't hear much. This album was a surprise hit, and was one of the records that helped crack the damn between the alternative scene and the mainstream, with Nevermind finally bringing it crashing down a year after this. Jane's split a few weeks before the release of Nevermind, but their influence (and Farrell's key role in establishing Lollapalooza Festival) makes this an important album and a key moment of the underground breaking into the mainstream. It was exciting at the time, but, in retrospect, I'm not convinced it was an entirely good thing for music. I miss the days when there really was an alternative music scene, before 'alternative' was just another generic marketing label. I really love this record, and have listened to it a lot over the years. But... Perry Farrell is an arsehole. He has a track record of exploiting the artistic input of others (especially younger collaborators) and taking credit for their input. It's true of bandmates, collaborators and 'muses' (a term commonly used to belittle women's artistic contributions). And worse, his active encouragement of the use of dangerous drugs was incredibly destructive. Dave Navarro and Casey Niccoli have both spoken about how lucky they were to survive the drug habits that Farrell encouraged. Xiola Blue, the subject of Three Days to whom this album is dedicated, died at the age of 19 as a result of a drug overdose. Farrell has been open about their sex and drug experiences together (again, the subject of Three Days), when she was a vulnerable teenager and possibly underage. This is deplorable behaviour, potentially contributing to this young woman's premature death. And, looking at Farrell these days, it is hard to see him as a poster child for the benefits of long-term heavy drug use; he seems out of it, incoherent and unable to work with others. I am increasingly uncomfortable with the appalling behaviour of artists. I'm not sure whether it is worse when they celebrate their philosophy openly in their art (Jane's Addiction, Led Zep, Marilyn Manson) or when they hide behind a mask of faux sensitivity (R. Kelly, Ryan Adams). With some artists, I can't get over the ick factor (Marilyn Manson is probably the most extreme example), while I feel that other albums are still listenable, although I wonder when the hammer will finally fall (Led Zep, Jane's). So I am still rating this with 5 stars, using the Ike & Tina Turner rubric. Just because Perry Farrell, like Ike Turner, is an irredeemable figure, this does not prevent me from enjoying the contributions of his collaborators (Navarro, Perkins, Avery, Niccoli, and others), which are still compelling and amazing (like Tina Turner).

Love this album. It's a great sophomore effort for an amazing band.

Exceptional. Album moves though various sounds along the way.

I very much loved this album. It has that 90s sound/production that I'm a sucker for. It was interesting, it went hard, it had lots of variety in sound. I think I'd probably give it a 4.5 but I'll actually just round up to 5. I'd give the album art a 1/5 though.

What a rad album! I've been a fan of Jane's Addiction for a long time, and I can't really decide if I like this album more than Nothing Shocking. But then when I think about it, I can't really tell a difference. The sound and power of this band is unmistakable. They're incredible. What I love is how this is varied and unique they're sound is. It reminds me most of Bad Brains with how out there it is with the guitar solos and raw energy. But its more like Bad Brains meets Joy Division meets Guns and Roses. The bass is so raw, heavy and driving. Sometimes is almost overbearing. And then Dave Navarro's guitars are also loud, full of static and kind of over the top. But its played in this minor key and not really utilizing the blues scales, so it doesn't sound like really any blues or hair metal guitarists. Perry's voice is what always sets this band apart. Piercing, striking. Somewhere between yelling and crooning. With great storytelling. I think finally what makes this band / sound / album unique is then how they layer in other genres and sounds and effects. Sometimes they're playing bo diddley rhythms, while other times they're incorporating sitars and eastern instruments. Despite what this band means now, and the fact that Perry Farrell literally punched Dave Navarro in the face 3 weeks ago, this band rocks and this album is brilliant.

Loved this when it was released. Still do 30+ years later.

Toght

a classic

This truly is an incredible album. It's a shame Perry is the biggest asshole in the world and also cannot sing anymore

Absolutely incredible album that was one of the defining statements of early hard alternative rock. The singles "Stop" and "Been Caught Stealing" were radio staples. But the album is much deeper than that. Clearly a defining moment in the movement from hair metal to grungy alt rock.

Ich kenne weder Album noch Band. Egal, jetzt bin ich einer hörenswerten Platte reicher. Klirrender und cooler Sound mit hörenswerten Gitarrensoli

Still as fresh and exciting as it was when it was the only thing played at all the cool parties the year it came out! Intimate and epic, and always keeping you guessing, even when you’ve heard it hundreds of times.

An almost perfect album. Two huge hits, that I love, and they may be the weakest / worse songs on the album. Three Days is a masterpiece followed by another in Then She Did.

I was familiar with the singles from this album but never listened to anything else. The second half of this album is really awesome and changed my opinion of this band entirely.

8/14/24. Jane's Addiction is quiety one of my favorite bands of all time! I credit them for creating that alternative rock sound I love, and Dave is a very underrated guitar player. The songs, and this album particularly, takes me to a great place.

Love Jane's Addiction, I always tended to like Nothing's Shocking a bit more than this one, but relistening to it really helped me appreciate it more. It takes the best parts of the previous album, builds on them, and incorporates so many more influences. Fantastic album from a fantastic band.

This album has dated so well. Their full on opening set follwed by a chilled acoustic set really hits it's stride. There are better songs on Nothing's Shocking, but this feels like they're really evolving. Shame they fell apart for a few years after this album as another couple of albums straight after this would have been great.

Good

This is awesome

Wonderful album. I don't think I ever owned it but I did somehow know it pretty well, and it holds up after all these years. I Liked 5 out of 9 tracks, but really the whole album is solid.

So so good. I am going to listen to this again right now

At this moment, you should be with us, feeling like we do. . . Great album. Three Days is one of my all time favorite songs. Most of the others are great, too.

Hell fucking yeah. This album is exactly my niche sound that I crave. Grunge, punk, metal, hard rock, alternative, emo...all here in spades. And I cannot get enough of it. This is my first time listening to the entire album, and it will not be close to my last. Favorite track: Been Caught Stealing

As time goes on, this band becomes more and more underrated.

Still a great album, even if Nothing's Shocking is better.

A truly unique album. Strong from start to finish. The soundscapes created are truly unique. Jane's Addiction were able to achieve something that many bands strive their whole career. An album that everyone should have in their collection.

Honestly, I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. From reputation, I’d kind of associated Jane’s Addiction with the early Funk-Metal scene, and I’ve listened to enough RHCP to kinda put me off that for a lifetime, but this ended up being more much eclectic and affecting than anything the Chilli Peppers ever did. It was the one-two ending punch of the fun and gypsy-folk like Of Course and the gorgeous little pop of Classic Girl that really clinched it for me. I’m excited to check out more Jane’s Addiction

Love it

Rad

Love this album, happy memories of the early 90s, still sounds fresh and energetic.

Really enjoyed this.

One of the definitive albums of the ‘90s for me.

This is another great album that reminds me of high school. 5/5

Enjoyable

Nice, laid-back, very fun

Back in the day I wasn't a fan of Jane's Addiction because I thought their hits had kind of a grating sound - mostly because Perry Farrell's vocals are slightly off key. So I was shocked (pun intended) by the fact that Nothing's Shocking sounded so good. Well, this album shows there are two Jane's Addictions. The first half of the album has that grating sound, and I realized it's not just Perry's vocals, but even Dave Navarro's guitar sound has this metallic edge that bothers me a little (which is a shame, because he is an awesome guitarist). But then the second half of the album (starting with Three Days) is the band that blew me away on Nothing's Shocking (and boy can you hear the Led Zep influence on this album). Still, I'll give them their due - even the grating sound of the first half doesn't take away from the fact that every song is a banger and again shows Jane's Addiction was ahead of the curve - grunge before grunge broke through in 1991. The second half is an easy 5. I'd go with a 4 for the first half, mainly to take a point away for the grating sound. But since the songs are so good, I'm going to round the 4.5 average up to a 5.

Ah memories

Epic album. Not a wasted moment

pretty rad

I never listened to them much beyond the tracks that were so overplayed on the radio back in the day. It was the overplaying that turned me off of them, but it turns out I like their sound on this album a lot.

I could have been listening to this album for 33 years and yesterday was my first time. I will never be able to change this, but I will have to move forward. I blame my parents, really, who takes responsibility for their own actions any more anyway. The first side is terrific. The second side made me cry. That is magic.

Awesome album. Saw them live on this tour and they blew me away. Absolutely awesome live and on record.

Hell, I'll give five stars for the guitar player alone. The rest of the band is impeccable but that guitar is what made this album. My favorite is Three Days. You don't even realize the song is almost 11 minutes.long.

All killer no filler

whoopee i love this album :) makes me think of zachy :)

What an album, so much energy from start to finish, some of their best songs and then Three Days which is one of my favourite songs of all time, shame I can only give 5 stars, want more!

This is Jane's Addictions Magnum Opus. First half of the album is where this cult band rocks with the best, and especially Dave Navarro showcases his talent. The Second half is the part of this album that has to grow on you. There really is no bad song on this album. 4,5*

Classic album from Jane's Addiction. Been Caught Stealing is the highlight but the entire album just drips with angst. The CD version I have has the white cover. Jane's Addiction label didn't allow them to release the cover they wanted.

Exquisitely edgy. Classic not just because of the kicky, kinetic tunes (starting with the nonpareil "Been Caught Stealin'") but because of the smolderly burners that come mostly later in the record ("Three Days," "Then She Did," "Of Course," "Classic Girl" but also "Obvious"). An – perhaps the – essential 90s record.

this record sounds like what cocaine would feel like. no skips album.

The genuine article, the full-on real deal and likely the best-ever farewell album – this is the way to go out on top and full credit to JA for staying out, too, and not sullying their legacy with numerous farewell tours and other indignities. The article is not be topped for energy and dynamism – has there ever been a more kinetic song than "Been Caught Stealing"? – for belief and credibility, and the simple cool factor. Its variety is underrated too. The slow burns of side 2 mixing Stones and Zeppelin vibes in a wholly original blend. PF is the archetypal post-punk singer, not shying away from the big, dramatic gestures of classic rock and fully embracing the "fuck it" attitude of punk. This was a landmark achievement not just for the '90s – perhaps the best record of the decade coming in the first year – but for all of rock history. Just fucking great. And they gave us Lollapalooza besides.

Señores y señoras Nosotros tenemos más influencia con sus hijos que tú tiene, pero los queremos Creado y regado de Los Angeles, Juana's Addicción Outstanding album. Pretty much perfect. 5/5

Great album

Great album, although I personally prefer Nothing’s Shocking.

Another classic, but a softer jammier album than it was in my memory

For the 17 year old me who got to hear this when it first came out, this was life changing. Released a full year before Nirvana's Nevermind it was one of the fires that led to the inferno of alternative music breaking through.

I definitely prefer Nothing’s Shocking but this is still a fantastic album. Three Days and Then She Did… are incredible

So sick. You can almost smell the sweat and pheromones that went into making this album. It's a monolithic middle finger raised above a roaring and youthful crowd. Yet despite its explosive energy and grit, it's mixed unbelievably well; I feel like I never lost track of a single instrument even during the album's most chaotic moments. I feel like I'm going to listen to this album a lot, weaving through gridlocks on the 101, going on grocery strike missions, staring down the leaf-blower-wielding gardener as I angrily scrub the dishes. I wish I knew more about rock music history so I could place it in dialogue with its inspirations and the things that it inspired. I'm hearing tons of Led Zeppelin for sure, in Dave Navarro's guitar tones and comping style, Perry Farrell's singing, the unconventional scales and time signatures, the strings, the riff-driven breakdowns, and so many other elements. Also, similar to many Led Zeppelin records, this album is extremely eclectic in terms of tone and genre, but still feels coherent as a single work. The first few songs kind of run the gamut, jumping between hard rock, funk, metal, grunge, and I'm sure many other rock genres that I'm less familiar with. "Been Caught Stealing" is one of the most 90s-sounding things I've ever heard; something about that swing, that bass groove, and that reverb carbon dates it nearly to the month. But that song's somehow on the same album as "Of Course", which is a Klezmer song? And all of it is followed by "Classic Girl", which is a perfect beautiful comedown after our frenetic tour de force. It's a testament to the talent in the band that they are able to chisel an original and cohesive sound out of so many distinct influences.

This is primo. The top grade Gen X mainline critical. A near perfect album from the cover art to every lyric. You can reject him for the unique voice or the words, but honestly who besides Cobain and Vetter caught the zeitgeist better than this? Top stuff.

If God exists they probably sound like Perry Farrell. Best album of the early 90's.

Big nostalgia bump for this album - takes me right back to uni. Love the different moods encompassed - very different from the rest of the alt rock field - whimsical, dreamy at times, naïve. Fave track - "Been Caught Stealin'" is a bop. The payoff to "Then She Did..." still gives me chills every time....