Nothing's Shocking

I was talking some shit about Jane's Addiction because I think they're a mid band. This album sorta disproved that for me. I think this is their strongest album I've heard. Lots of good songs, and the others are decent enough to not skip. 3.75/5

I knew I was going to like this the moment I read the genres and descriptors for this album on RYM, and unsurprisingly, I did. Great riffs, incredibly fun and engaging songs. Definitely not the peak of music, but this is a "dumb fun" album done extremely well.

> the Beatles

I really liked it. The guitar is nice. Vocal wise it’s raw at the right amount, so it’s not jarring (well because it was tuned to pitch perfect). He can be extremely nasal but still sound not contrived…and then switch to mixed belting seamlessly. Some melodies are relatively memorable but not too repetitive. It also has some level of details I won’t be able to pick up while driving. Love summertime rolls, mountain song, ocean size, Jane says. A very pleasant listen!

I forgot how hard mountain song goes! Such a jam. The rest of the album jams pretty hard too.

Just what I like

this was fun, good ol rock n roll

A hard hitting listen with some really good ear worms. It was well sequenced and had quite a bit of musical variety. Some of the songs were duller than others, but all around this was impressive and I'll listen again in the future. 3.6/5 - > 4/5

pretty sick fun when it was rocking most of the way through, fun when they cooled it down a little for Jane Says, fun when whatever Thank You Boys is happened

4/5

Idk why this is described as indie rock.. it’s not

one of the most important bands in the alternative music movement in the late 80’s and early 90’s. fantastic debut album from the mercurial perry ferrell and the boys. unique vocals, insightful lyrics, crunchy guitars and a slid rhythm section. different, but never boring. highlights: “standing in the shower… thinking” “mountain song” “jane says”

i listened to this a lot in my teens. It still holds up

Trailblazers. One of my first alternative/punk rock albums. Love it.

Great soundscapes and some of my fav guitar work, both lead and bass. The first half is stronger than the second, as a whole its a very good album.

I thought I knew about Jane’s Addiction. I’ve seen the headlines, just like everyone else, and I’d built up an image in my head of the band as a sort of sub-Pearl Jam early 90s grungey rock outfit. Nothing worth writing home about, I thought. I was pretty disappointed when this album came up. But do you know what? I was pretty wrong. This album is much more interesting and weird than I’d given it credit for. I think I’m maybe a bit old for it (?!) but had I found it when I was a teenager I think this band would’ve been my entire personality for six months.

I’m probably overrating this, but I really enjoyed it. I knew Jane Says, but everything else here was new to me. Favorites were Ocean Size, Ted, Just Admit It…, Summertime Rolls, Idiots Rule, and Jane Says.

Jane's Addiction remains one of the best shows I've ever seen live.. given, that was a long time ago, when Perry Farrell's brain wasn't yet scrambled. Nothing Shocking features one of their most well-known songs, "Jane Says" - a stripped-down, steel-drum-accented reflection on addiction and regret. However, other tracks capture the essence of the band at their full strength. It doesn't get much more epic than the anthem of "Mountain Song", instantly recognizable by it's iconic bassline. It feels like it's kicking off the start of some kind of ritual. Farrell is certainly a unique front-man - a quasi-cult-leader vibe with a mystical, hypnotic, and always theatric delivery. The band has always brought a sort of primal energy to all their albums, and this one is no exception. Jane's remains essential listening, as an iconic band that blended psychedelic rock, funk grooves, & punk energy in a way that jolted alt rock from the 80's into the 90's.

Raw and Hard!

Great debut. Not every song is a banger, and some of the lyrics can be a bit juvenile, but sonically its hard to fault.

Nothing's shocking except this cover. 1988 had some positive releases (like Green) but it seemed hair metal was everywhere. This was a breath of fresh air. And now of course porn is everywhere (sister is not a virgin and those images are indeed everywhere on the news). Dave Navarro wasn't a porn director yet, Perry hadn't launched Lollapalooza, seemed all good. Listening today I'm rehearing my initial attraction. Dudes were talented.

This is a repeat—pretty literally—from the last Jane's Addiction review. Which, begs the question... Why include both albums on the list? Is there really a marked difference in the band? I respect this band for creating a sound and boldly showcasing odd song constructions and conventions and strange vocal melodies and harmonies and inventive rhythmic ideas. It's weird and unconventional. The themes of the songs are also pretty bold and Perry Farrell is willing to go places others wouldn't. That still holds true — not to mention in 1988. But I seriously dislike the way the band sounds. Farrell's vocals are difficult to endure, creative and expressive as they are. The double/triple layering and high wail... it's distinctive and difficult to execute, but he always struck me as a petulant whiny git. His recent exploits fighting with Navarro seem to reinforce that. And there's lots and lots of guitar, but I'm rarely awed by it, just aware that Navarro is playing a lot. So, once again, I'm awarding it a 4 though I don't ever want to hear it again. We good?

I first learned of this group when reviewing Ritual De Lo Habitual last May. That album took me by surprise, and its predecessor - this album - has nearly the same quality.

Putain, 1988. J'avais dix-huit ans, l'âge parfait pour se prendre des baffes musicales en pleine gueule. Le paysage sonore de l'époque, si on y réfléchit bien, était un sacré merdier. D'un côté, t'avais le hair metal qui paradait en spandex sur MTV, avec des solos de guitare longs comme un jour sans pain et des ballades sirupeuses à en faire crever un diabétique. De l'autre, la pop synthétique dominait les ondes, et dans les marges, une scène "indie" commençait à peine à murmurer des choses intéressantes, mais souvent avec les yeux rivés sur ses chaussures. Et puis, du coeur crasseux de Los Angeles, a déboulé cet OVNI : Jane's Addiction et leur premier véritable album "Nothing's Shocking", album qui portait bien mal son nom car tout était choquant là-dedans. Choquant de nouveauté, choquant de danger, choquant de sensualité vénéneuse. Le projet "1001 Albums" a également retenu également son successeur, l'excellent "Ritual de lo Habitual", mais pour moi, et pour beaucoup de gens de ma génération, la première vraie déflagration, la fracture sismique, c'est ce disque-là. Ce qui frappait d'emblée, c'était l'impossibilité de les ranger dans une case car ce n'était pas du punk, pas vraiment du metal, encore moins du funk, et pourtant, c'était tout ça à la fois, et bien plus encore. C'était une créature de Frankenstein musicale, un putain de bordel organisé avec une classe folle. Perry Farrell, le frontman, n'était pas un chanteur, c'était un shaman, un gourou défoncé, un prêtre païen sous acide avec sa voix de hyène haut perchée qui pouvait passer du cri strident à la complainte éthérée en une fraction de seconde. Sa présence scénique, même sur disque, était palpable. On sentait le soufre, la sueur et l'encens bon marché. À la guitare, Dave Navarro et le mec s'est imposé en un seul album comme un des derniers vrais "guitar heroes". Ses riffs étaient lourds, reptiliens, empruntant autant à Led Zeppelin qu'au post-punk le plus noisy. Il pouvait te balancer un mur de son metal avant de partir sur un solo psychédélique qui semblait s'étirer à l'infini. Le mec ne jouait pas des notes, il peignait des paysages sonores tordus et flamboyants. Et puis, il y avait cette section rythmique... Mon Dieu, cette section rythmique. Eric Avery à la basse, avec ses lignes hypnotiques, profondes, qui étaient souvent la véritable colonne vertébrale des morceaux. Prenez "Mountain Song", ce n'est pas un riff de guitare qui vous attrape, c'est cette basse monstrueuse, tribale, qui vous prend aux tripes pour ne plus vous lâcher. Et Stephen Perkins à la batterie, qui ne se contentait pas de marquer le tempo, il dansait dessus, avec des rythmiques complexes, presque tribales, qui donnaient à l'ensemble une puissance et une ampleur incroyables. Cette fusion, en 1988, c'était du jamais vu. Les Pixies étaient bizarres, mais Jane's Addiction était dangereux. Ils avaient ce côté "glam" décadent, ce vice qui suintait de chaque note. Ils parlaient de came, de partouzes, de tristesse existentielle, mais avec une sorte de beauté poétique et violente. "Jane Says", ce morceau acoustique avec son steel drum mélancolique, est devenu l'hymne officieux de toutes les âmes abîmées. C'est le genre de chanson que tu écoutes en fin de soirée, quand tout le monde est parti et qu'il ne reste que les fantômes et la fumée froide. Et comment parler de "Nothing's Shocking" sans évoquer sa pochette ? Cette sculpture de Farrell lui-même, représentant des siamoises nues, la tête en feu, assises sur un rocking-chair. Forcément, ça n'a pas plu à tout le monde. Les grandes chaînes de distribution américaines ont crié au scandale, à la pornographie, à la décadence. L'album s'est retrouvé vendu dans un emballage en papier kraft marron, comme une revue porno. Quelle meilleure publicité pour un groupe qui voulait dynamiter les conventions ? C'était un bras d'honneur magnifique à la bien-pensance américaine, un acte artistique total qui disait : "On vous emmerde, et on le fait avec style." Alors, petit aparté pour les puristes du projet qui me lisent. Oui, le grand livre a choisi également "Ritual de lo Habitual". Et c'est un choix qui se défend car c'est un album encore plus ambitieux, plus épique, avec des morceaux fleuves comme "Three Days", que le livre décrit comme leur "Stairway To Heaven". Mais "Nothing's Shocking", c'est le Big Bang. C'est l'étincelle originelle, le disque qui a posé les bases, qui a montré que tout était possible. C'est la déclaration d'intention brute, sans le vernis (relatif) du succès qui allait suivre. Et ce disque a ouvert la voie à tout ce qui allait suivre dans les années 90. Sans Jane's Addiction, pas de Lollapalooza (le festival créé par Farrell), et peut-être un son différent pour Nirvana, Pearl Jam ou Alice in Chains. Ils ont prouvé qu'on pouvait être à la fois heavy et poétique, brutal et sexy, complexe et direct. Ils ont injecté une dose massive d'art, de chaos et de décadence dans un rock qui commençait sérieusement à s'encroûter. Pour le disquaire en herbe que j'allais devenir quelques années plus tard, cet album était une pierre angulaire. Il représentait cette frange du rock américain qui n'avait peur de rien, qui osait tout, qui mélangeait les genres sans se poser de questions. Il y avait une liberté, une folie et une sincérité dans ce disque qui sont devenues rarissimes. "Nothing's Shocking" n'a rien perdu de sa puissance aujourd'hui. Il sonne toujours aussi unique, aussi viscéral. C'est un instantané parfait d'une époque charnière, le son d'un groupe en état de grâce qui s'apprêtait à changer la face du rock. Un solide 4/5, sans hésitation. Une porte d'entrée vers un monde plus tordu, plus brillant, et foutrement plus excitant.

I always deemed them as artsy to a fault. Music is good and his voice is perfect for it. I wouldn’t skip it now.

Hello! That was good! Not sure what I expected, knowing Jane's Addiction only by name, apparently, but it was better than that. A weird, little niche this music sits in. Dream-Sleaze? Not sure whether I will put this on ever again, but I've had a nice time. A strong 4.

A classic with all the hits. I just wish that Perry hadn't gone completely insane and canceled the shows on their tour the day before they were supposed to come to my city

not an album about drugs or for doing drugs to per se, but an album whose sounds evokes probably the kind of casual use and destitution of being in your 20s. also strange that shoegaze and art rock dont come up in what I’ve read abt this album; I got sugarcubes vibes from idiots rules, ted just admit it was like a fine tuned butthole surfers track

The title sums it up well. Nothing shocking, nothing amazing, just perfectly fine. I liked it, I probably won't listen to it anymore.

I am punked

More than anything, I credit Jane’s Addiction with bringing into the world of overwrought hair metal and shiny pop a resurgence of the cool 1970’s style of rockin’ and rollin’ that has an updated late 80’s flair which eventually just became the early 90’s sound overall. In this album, you can hear future Black Crowes, Blind Melon, most definitely Smashing Pumpkins’ first album, Gish, and a thousand scruffy grunge/alternative bands copping a Venice Beach boho style and swarming L.A.’s sunset strip. Again, the 70’s. It’s super cool for sure. The songs are good to great but I wouldn’t place this album on my all time best list. It’s more important to me for being a reset in musical culture. Highlights include: Ted, Just Admit It…, Summertime Rolls, Idiots Rule, and of course, Jane Says.

Love this album. Ted just admit it is one of their best songs. Summertime rolls fucking sucks and is the biggest gap in the album and I forget it exists cuz I always skip it. Studio version of Jane says is a little flat and lacks some of the layers of the live version but great album.

Le rock de Jane's Addiction, toujours aussi groovy, juste assez dissonant, un plaisir contagieux qui ne se dément pas – à l'avant-garde des années 1990, il me semble.

Alright! It's time for my first impression of Jane's Addiction, a band that I've heard of before and that's about it. I mean, I also knew about that on-stage incident from last year, but let's just move past that (for the review). Here's their debut album, Nothing's Shocking. It's good! This is a solid album right here. I'll start the review with the one part of this album that I'm not a big fan of... the singing. I don't hate Perry Farrell's singing, but it isn't really my thing. It works sometimes, but it can also be a bit annoying at others. It's certainly not for everyone. Fortunately, the other stuff here is great! The instrumentals are pretty cool. Whether they're more stripped down on songs like "Jane Says" or are full-energy like on "Mountain Song," there's definitely enough talent here to appreciate. The writing and theming here is quite interesting, but it definitely works and I'd say it's pretty ahead of its time. I mean, this album was released in 1988, yet it feels like it could've come out like 10 years later or something. The pacing is pretty good. I like the songs, especially the two I mentioned earlier. This album's good, and apparently its followup, Ritual de lo Habitual, is even better and is also on this list! Maybe I'll like that one even more myself. Still, Nothing's Shocking is pretty good on its own. Light 4/5.

Thoughts before listening: My favorite album by Janes Addiction. Godfathers of the alternative rock scene who came out of the 80s LA punk scene, but fully indebted to classic rock as well...especially with Perry Farrell's over the top screech and Dave Navarro's lead guitar. I am glad to have a chance to listen again today. Review: Yeah this is a classic for the music that meant the world to me growing up. It really is a mixture of the underground alternative scene and a classic rock, Led Zeppelin style sound. Especially with a song like "Mountain Song" which has become a staple of the genre. Glad to have revisited this today, and the album gets 4-stars.

Solid album. Not entirely my speed. The sound was definitely very fresh, but it just wasn't all my type of thing. Fav song: Summertime Rolls

honestly was a great workout album

Very unique album for its time. Combining many rock elements and jam like qualities, this album kicks ass

Great.

I really like Jane's Addiction, this is a great hard rock record with enough flavours to keep it really fresh and interesting through the whole run time - kind of an updated Led Zeppelin? Has rockers, has jazz breaks, has Middle Eastern inspired passages, has great acoustic tracks with steel pans - it's a good advert for taking swings and having them pay off. I am only giving it a 4 because I think Ritual De Lo Habitual is a better record

Nothing's Shocking is a solid album that helped shape late '80s alternative rock. Tracks like “Mountain Song” and “Jane Says” show off the band’s creativity, blending funk, rock, and Perry Farrell’s eccentric vocals. It’s a good record—well-produced and unique—but it doesn’t fully pull me in. I respect it more than I love it. Essential for fans of the genre, but for me, it’s just... fine.

jane's addiction comes through with their debut album, and they're starting off with a bang. with a decent amount of soft and hard rock tracks, this album, while a bit shocking at times, is a worthy debut. the lyrical content goes pretty deep and some of these songs have kick-ass riffs and fills. there's some jazzband influence as well which i honestly enjoyed. the mixing could be a bit better, and not every song is a winner, but for a debut and especially considering what's to come after all this... it's pretty good for what it is!

Hard to fit this into 1988 - way ahead of it's time. Clear influence on 90s grunge. Perry maybe a dick but the band can really play. Mountain Song and Jane Says Re two quite different and quite brilliant songs. Loved the bass playing and of course the guitar work is outstanding.

sex is violent !!! I did not enjoy this at first... then I settled in and it really grew on me. It's groovy, its screams, and it's got well written lyrics. Summertime Rolls is a good good song.

Spent most of my life not liking Jane's Addiction. Turns out I really liked the overall album. Little jammy for my tastes, but when it rocks out, it's really good.

I think this was a really cool rock album with horns, flute, and a general psychedelic vibe. My favorite song was Ted, just admit it

the perfect marriage between the decadent, bombastic 80s rock and the cynical, brooding 90s rock yet to come this isn't completely to my taste (perry farrell's voice is... a lot), but "ted, just admit it..." is phenomenal and it's easy to listen to this record and understand how it felt big and important for people

Going to actually lean 4 with this. It’s like a 3.5 for me but I really like this vocalist with this sound, it creates a pretty unique effect that consistently worked for me all the way through

I didn't realize this came out in 1988; it's such a 90's album that I guess was pretty ahead of its time. It's more than proto-grunge, it's straight up grunge but it's unique in the genre. Perry Farrell has a divisive voice, but I always though it fit perfectly with Jane's Addiction's heavier tracks, which most of this album is. Even in "Jane Says" I think it works, works great even. Dave Navarro's guitar work is just right. He's got enough of a funk feel in his playing that it fits with the syncopated drum and bass work without sounding just like someone through an electric guitar at an 80's band. I know he's a weirdo (and so is Farrell) but I've always liked his playing in any band he's been in. I like that "Standing in the Shower Thinking" is like the alpha version of "Been Caught Stealing", which is basically the same song but better and cleaned up. I think a lot of people attribute that particular style, sort of a weird grunge/ska/funk mashup, to Jane's Addiction in general. It's less funk than RHCP while still having a good groove, and Farrell is a better singer than Kiedis. That's not really all of them though; immediately following is "Summertime Rolls" which drags on a bit like "Ted Just Admit It" but it displays the range of the band well. "Mountain Song" is what I really like about the band in general; heavy ass groove with Farrell going nuts on the mic - it's where his voice really matches up with everything else going on. I think Jane's Addiction is underrated as a formative band of the grunge era, maybe because Perry Farrell is an egomaniac and Navarro was probably better known for being the "worst" guitarist for the Chili Peppers and being on reality TV. I've liked this album for a long time before realizing how old it actually is, and that makes it even more impressive for me.

Same year as pixies is super interesting. Pretty sure Pearl Jam, nirvana, blind melon and most 90s alt acts are just Jane’s addiction cover bands? Also who knew Jane was gonna be talked about!

Something is shocking: Dave Navarro has made not one but two albums that I like a lot. Despite them having a lot of the trappings of indulgent rock music I usually don’t like. Dave Navarro, for God’s sake!

4/5. A heavy rock album that brings back that sense of late 70's and 80's rock. I do not like it when artists take up the exact sound of other bands but I think they sound unique enough that I could differentiate between their sound and their influence. Each song is pretty banging, including the slower and more spacey ones, but there are some I would skip just because it doesn't keep my interest long enough. This was a well-made album front to back but not perfect. The main downside are the lyrics which do not provide much substance here. Best Song: Mountain Song, Ocean Size, Jane Says

This is like Alice in Chains and Violent Femmes rolled into one. I love it.

Learned about these guys after Nirvana, so in the timeline of my memories I lump them with 90s alt rock. Then i remember they started in the 80s and it blows me away. They’re not 90s alt rock; they helped inspire 90s alt rock.

Knew of this band, but never listened to them. Was expecting something different from ‘hard rock’. This was eclectic and I liked it.

4/5

Fortunate to have caught one of their very last shows last month before they imploded. And what a great show it was!!

This is pretty good. From that era where the 90's bands still sounded like 80's bands but a lot darker. Was pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable this is. It may not make the circle of an all time favorite for me, but I added a few tracks to playlists and would happily give this more spins

At the time, I thought that this album was a bit overrated, and listening to it again a couple of times now confirms that. I also can't see the need for both this and Ritual de lo Habitual to be in the 1001. But it is a good album and so gets 4⭐

Very solid and ahead of its time.

Is the guy running this doing these things on purpose? Foo Fighters right after Dave Grohl news and then Jane's Addiction right after their fight? Would be a crazy coincidence if it's not intentional. Never really listened to JA, but it reminds me a bit of Alice in Chains, just a little less metal and a little more alternative. They still have some fairly punchy basslines, but the album as a whole is a bit lighter in tone. Good album.

I'm actually liking this a lot more than I expected to. The worst part of it is Farrells voice, but I suppose it works on some songs. Bumping this up because I was never bored at all and really liked some of the lesser known songs as well as the hits.

A cool genre mix here. A few songs are just ok though.

4.1 1x catchup 9/24/24

Genuinely enjoyed this album.

### **Album Review: "Nothing's Shocking" by Jane's Addiction** Released in 1988, "Nothing's Shocking" marked Jane's Addiction's first major-label album and became a cornerstone of alternative rock in the late 80s and early 90s. Fusing elements of punk, metal, funk, and psychedelia, the band — led by frontman Perry Farrell — delivered a raw, eclectic, and provocative sound that was both groundbreaking and controversial. ## **Lyrics and Themes** "Nothing's Shocking" is a provocative exploration of societal taboos and personal introspection. Perry Farrell's lyrics are often surreal, juxtaposing mundane life with hallucinatory visions. His words capture a sense of rebellion and dissatisfaction, often touching on controversial topics such as sex, drugs, and social norms. 1. **"Ocean Size"** — The opening track presents a theme of longing for freedom, using the ocean as a metaphor for the vastness and power of liberation. Lyrics like “Wish I was ocean size / No one moves you, man / No one tries” reflect a desire to transcend limitations and societal constraints. 2. **"Had a Dad"** — This track takes on a more personal tone, delving into themes of loss and abandonment. Farrell’s vocals convey both anger and confusion, mirroring the disillusionment of discovering that paternal authority (or even divine authority) may not be as infallible as once believed. 3. **"Ted, Just Admit It..."** — Arguably one of the most controversial songs on the album, "Ted, Just Admit It..." tackles the topic of media sensationalism and society’s obsession with violence. Inspired by serial killer Ted Bundy, the lyrics critically examine the voyeuristic nature of modern culture: “Sex is violent / Love is violent.” 4. **"Jane Says"** — This song stands out for its simplicity and emotional weight. A semi-autobiographical narrative about a woman named Jane who struggles with addiction and dreams of escaping her troubles. The repetitive chorus of “Jane says / I'm done with Sergio / He treats me like a ragdoll” resonates with a raw honesty, encapsulating both the tragedy and resilience in the face of hardship. 5. **"Pigs in Zen"** — The final track explores a mix of cynicism and defiance, with lyrics reflecting a disdain for superficiality and hypocrisy. The titular "pigs in zen" symbolize the blissfully ignorant, those who are content in their ignorance while the world around them is chaotic. ### **Pros:** - The lyrics are bold, introspective, and often confront uncomfortable topics. - Uses metaphor and narrative effectively to convey a range of emotions and ideas. - Offers a critique of societal norms and personal struggles, making it both thought-provoking and relevant. ### **Cons:** - Some lyrics can be seen as too obscure or indulgent, potentially alienating listeners who prefer straightforward messaging. - The frequent use of controversial and graphic imagery may limit its appeal to a broader audience. ## **Musical Style and Composition** Musically, "Nothing's Shocking" is a dynamic fusion of genres. The band seamlessly blends hard rock, funk, psychedelia, and punk, creating a unique sound that helped define the alternative rock genre. The album's structure is deliberate, balancing aggressive tracks with more melodic and introspective ones. 1. **Guitar Work**: Dave Navarro’s guitar playing is central to the album’s sound. His style is marked by a combination of heavy riffing, intricate solos, and melodic passages. Tracks like "Ocean Size" and "Mountain Song" feature aggressive, distorted riffs that capture a raw, primal energy, while songs like "Summertime Rolls" showcase a more delicate and ethereal side, characterized by clean, shimmering chords. 2. **Bass and Drums**: Eric Avery's bass lines are a driving force on the album, offering a dark, pulsating rhythm that gives the music its distinct groove. His bass work on "Ted, Just Admit It..." is particularly noteworthy, providing a hypnotic undercurrent that complements Stephen Perkins’ dynamic drumming style. Perkins’ percussion ranges from tight, rhythmic patterns to more free-form, experimental beats, as heard in "Up the Beach." 3. **Vocals**: Perry Farrell’s vocals are another defining element of the album. His voice oscillates between a nasally croon and a high-pitched wail, capturing both vulnerability and aggression. Tracks like "Jane Says" feature a more subdued and emotional delivery, while "Standing in the Shower... Thinking" showcases his manic energy. 4. **Production**: Produced by Dave Jerden and Perry Farrell, the album’s production is deliberately raw, maintaining a live, almost unpolished feel that enhances its intensity. The use of dynamic range — from the quiet, contemplative moments in "Summertime Rolls" to the explosive crescendos in "Mountain Song" — adds depth and emotional weight to the album. ### **Pros:** - Innovative blending of genres, creating a unique sound that stood out in the late 80s music scene. - Excellent musicianship, particularly Navarro’s guitar work and Avery’s bass lines, which add complexity and texture to the music. - Raw production enhances the album's visceral impact and authenticity. ### **Cons:** - The unpolished production may feel dated or underwhelming to listeners accustomed to more polished soundscapes. - Perry Farrell's vocal style can be polarizing; some might find it too unconventional or abrasive. ## **Influence and Legacy** "Nothing's Shocking" was a seminal release that paved the way for the alternative rock explosion of the 1990s. It challenged the prevailing norms of both mainstream rock and the underground scene, blending disparate styles in a way that was both accessible and avant-garde. 1. **Cultural Impact**: Jane’s Addiction emerged from the Los Angeles rock scene as a band that defied categorization. "Nothing's Shocking" stood apart from the glam metal that dominated the Sunset Strip, offering a darker, more experimental take on rock music. Its success helped lay the groundwork for bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden, who would go on to define the grunge movement and reshape the rock genre. 2. **Musical Influence**: The album’s eclectic mix of styles influenced numerous artists across different genres. The integration of funk rhythms, punk attitude, metal aggression, and psychedelic textures can be heard in later works by bands such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Faith No More, and Smashing Pumpkins. Jane’s Addiction's willingness to explore unconventional song structures and sonic experimentation opened the door for more adventurous approaches in rock music. 3. **Visual Aesthetic**: Beyond its music, "Nothing's Shocking" also made an impact with its provocative album cover — featuring nude conjoined female sculptures with their hair on fire, designed by Perry Farrell himself. This sparked controversy, leading some retailers to refuse to stock the album. The cover art reinforced the band's image as fearless provocateurs willing to challenge social taboos, a stance that resonated with disaffected youth. ### **Pros:** - Played a significant role in the development of the alternative rock genre and influenced numerous artists. - Helped break down the barriers between mainstream and underground music scenes. - Provocative imagery and lyrics added to the band’s mystique and cultural relevance. ### **Cons:** - The album's experimental and genre-blending approach may have limited its immediate commercial appeal. - Controversial themes and artwork faced backlash and censorship, hindering its initial reach. ## **Themes and Artistic Vision** "Nothing's Shocking" is thematically cohesive, focusing on the idea of breaking societal norms and confronting uncomfortable truths. The album's title itself reflects this ethos — nothing should be shocking, and yet, everything is. Jane’s Addiction embraces paradox and contradiction, urging listeners to look beyond appearances and question their assumptions. 1. **Rebellion Against Conformity**: The album consistently pushes against the idea of societal norms and conventions. Tracks like "Had a Dad" and "Pigs in Zen" express dissatisfaction with established structures, whether they be parental, religious, or societal. 2. **Exploration of Personal and Social Dark Sides**: Many songs delve into the darker aspects of human experience, from addiction and abuse to existential questioning. "Ted, Just Admit It..." and "Jane Says" confront the pain and confusion that accompany these issues, creating a stark contrast between the beauty of the music and the darkness of the themes. 3. **Sexual and Artistic Freedom**: "Nothing's Shocking" is unabashedly sexual and provocative, using both its lyrics and album artwork to push the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in mainstream music at the time. This theme of artistic freedom is woven throughout the album, highlighting the band’s commitment to authenticity and self-expression. ### **Pros:** - Cohesive thematic vision that challenges social norms and conventions. - Bold exploration of controversial and often neglected topics. - Encourages listeners to confront uncomfortable truths and question their assumptions. ### **Cons:** - The focus on taboo topics may alienate more conservative listeners. - The confrontational approach might be perceived as gimmicky or gratuitous by some. ## **Production and Sound Quality** The production of "Nothing's Shocking" was handled by Dave Jerden, known for his work with bands like Talking Heads and The Rolling Stones. Jerden’s approach to the album was to maintain a balance between rawness and clarity, capturing the band’s dynamic energy while still making the music accessible. 1. **Dynamic Range**: One of the strengths of the production is its use of dynamic range. Tracks like "Summertime Rolls" feature a build-up from soft, melodic passages to more intense crescendos, providing a sense of progression and movement. This dynamic approach gives the album a sense of depth and emotional weight. 2. **Instrumentation and Mix**: The mix highlights each instrument effectively, allowing Navarro's guitar work, Avery's bass lines, and Perkins' drumming to shine without overshadowing each other. The bass and drums are prominent in the mix, giving the music a solid foundation, while the guitar and vocals are layered to add texture and complexity. 3. **Lo-Fi Aesthetic**: The album's sound retains a lo-fi aesthetic that aligns with the band's raw and unpolished image. This approach may not appeal to all listeners, but it complements the album's thematic focus on authenticity and rebellion against the polished production of 80s rock. ### **Pros:** - Effective use of dynamic range adds depth and emotion to the music. - Clear instrumentation and mix allow each band member's contribution to stand out. - Lo-fi production complements the band's raw and unfiltered style. ### **Cons:** - The raw production style may feel dated to contemporary listeners used to more polished soundscapes. - Some tracks could benefit from a more refined production approach to enhance clarity and impact. ## **Conclusion: Pros and Cons of "Nothing's Shocking"** ### **Pros:** - **Lyrically Provocative**: The album challenges societal norms, explores dark themes, and offers introspective narratives, making it thought-provoking and relevant. - **Musically Innovative**: A genre-blending mix of rock, funk, punk, and psychedelia that helped define the sound of alternative rock. - **Cultural Impact**: Paved the way for the alternative rock explosion of the 90s, influencing numerous bands and reshaping the genre. - **Bold Artistic Vision**: A cohesive thematic focus on breaking taboos and embracing artistic freedom. ### **Cons:** - **Polarizing Style**: The unconventional vocal style and raw production may not appeal to all listeners. - **Controversial Content**: Lyrics and artwork may limit its appeal due to their provocative and taboo nature. - **Dated Production**: The lo-fi aesthetic might feel outdated to those accustomed to modern production techniques. ## **Final Verdict** "Nothing's Shocking" is a landmark album that pushed boundaries both musically and culturally. Its influence on the development of alternative rock is undeniable, and its bold exploration of provocative themes remains compelling. While it may not appeal to everyone, its innovation, passion, and raw authenticity make it a vital listen for fans of rock music and a testament to Jane's Addiction's enduring legacy.

Same jams on this one. Still holds up. 3.5+

One of THE classic rock albums that I've never got around to listening to in full. I actually enjoyed this more than I thought. The fact that this is their debut album is also incredible. The sound is familiar but also very original.

Evolved sound from 80s glam metal. Nice thanks.

Sitä hyvää kasari alt-rockia!

Good 90s rock. Jane Says is one of the best recorded songs of the time, and I enjoy Perry Farrell's vocals.

Can't go wrong with Jane's Addiction. Great album start to finish. Brings back a lot of memories.

A strong 4-4.5 but there's a few duds on here keeping this from being a full 5/5.

jane says

Jane's Addiction's Nothing's Shocking, released in 1988, is a pivotal album that laid the groundwork for modern alternative rock. The album bursts with power and energy, seamlessly blending punk, metal, and psychedelic rock into a sound that was groundbreaking for its time. Perry Farrell's emotive and intriguing vocals give the album a distinctive edge, moving effortlessly from haunting whispers to intense wails. Jane Says stands out as a sweet and catchy song, featuring poignant lyrics about addiction and longing that have resonated with listeners for decades. The album's raw energy and innovative approach are evident in tracks like Ocean Size and Mountain Song, which showcase the band's ability to fuse aggression with melody. While some tracks verge on overindulgence, the overall impact is one of bold creativity and ambition. Nothing's Shocking challenged musical conventions and inspired countless artists in the alternative scene. Its fearless exploration of themes and sounds helped redefine what rock music could be. Even decades after its release, the album remains a powerful influence, continuing to captivate new generations with its intensity and authenticity. NUMBER OF BANGERS - 6 STAND OUT TRACK - Jane Says

Classic

cool

I've kept this on rotation for a week now and every time I hear it, I really enjoy it. They nail the dark and moody, they nail the rhythm section and I love how it's produced. It's also a huge influence on what came next - the alternative transition from 80s hair metal to 90s/00s post-punk that doesn't have to veer into punk or grunge. It's another pleasant surprise and welcome discovery. It's probably a 4.5 but I'm feeling a little generous and will definitely be adding this to my collection.

Wasn’t as good as the last JA album, but still a fun romp.

Can't say I could pick Jane's Addiction out of a lineup before listening to this album but I liked it, and might actually recognize them now at Thursday night trivia at the local.

Bueno

Great album full of original psychedelic aesthetics and bangers that didn't have much competition. In fact their only competition sonically was early Chili peppers and still they were quite different. This one is one I'm familiar with but have to revisit more, great times.

Jane's Addiction received less mainstream attention than some of their contemporaries but the music was almost just as good. In a sense it fits, the more abrasive and cutting sound that they had painted them as underground icons - sort of like Sonic Youth? It's a testament to the variety of GOOD music from the late '80s to the '90s. Standouts are Had a Dad, Ted, Just Admit It... Jane Says, and Pigs in Zen.

I have always liked Farrell’s voice and Navarro can flat out play. They were ahead of their time so giving them a bump in ratings to a 4.

If this was made in a vacuum then I would give it a 3. However it was not and therefore will be receiving a 4. This is because this was such a unique sound when it came out. It changed the course of music and pushed it towards grunge and away from crappy, worthless pop and the hair metal. Personally I really don’t mind Farrell’s voice I know that can be a sore spot for some people. Dave Navarro is an absolute baller on the six string which was awesome to listen to. Also I loved the drums, they really helped propel the album along.

Enjoyed this, will listen again

This and the previous Jane's Addiction are pretty interchangeable. The singles are good, with the other songs not quite rising to that level.

Solid record. Very good highs and mostly very consistentin quality all through out.

Was surprised about how much I loved this, I guess because it was given the ‘rock / metal’ category, really liked it though. ‘Thank you boys’ was great, a little bit of jazz in the middle!

#216. Why, when stuff like this existed in the 80s, did shit like Guns n Roses and Poison and Ratt get popular instead? This is way better in every way. 4/5: would recommend.

Good

I enjoyed up the beach as the opening track and it lead really well into ocean’s size. It was then a bit 😴😴 but summertime rolls and Jane says worked well to break it up. Overall this was good shit.

I was looking forward to this album since this band is cited as an influence for a lot of my favorite alt rock bands. Overall it was a pretty fun listen, not as heavy or as dark as I was expecting but still a fun alt rock album nonetheless

this is good, GOOD !

Ik vind sommige nummers van Jane's Addiction echt heel erg vet. Het is vaak behoorlijk funky qua bas en drums. De zang van Perry Farrell is een instrument op zich en mixt harmonieus met de rest van de sound. En Dave Navarro mag helemaal los gaan op zijn gitaar. Alleen zitten er altijd een paar wazige, trage nummers tussen, een soort intermezzo's. Dus qua album is het voor mij geen perfecte luisterervaring, ondanks dat het dat wel zou kunnen zijn. En daarom kom ik wederom, net als het vorige album, niet op een 5 uit.

cool ocean size had a dad ted just admit it... summertime rolls mountain song idiots rule

Not as good as rituel but classic jane

It's cool these guys were making this kind of music in the late 80's, pre grunge explosion. Unfortunately, they get kind of lost in the shuffle afterwards. 3.5/5

Ritual gets all the attention, but this is the better album.

Such a mature sound for a debut album. Ahead of it's time and surely very influential on other bands. The sound here is like a stepping stone from LA metal to alternative rock which the grunge scene would then kick on from, a few years later. 'Jane Says' is just brilliant and I love the inclusion of steel drums. 'Ocean Size', 'Ted Just Admit It', 'Standing in the Shower Thinking', 'Mountain Song', 'Idiots Rule' & 'Pig's in Zen' are also great songs. This album rocks. 4- stars.

Amazing sound & distortion paired with hard driving trippy delight. Put some sprinkles on it and you have an orgasmic creation. Listened twice. Had a Dad is over the top and has a raw edgy sound but not out of control.

Janes Addiction is a sleazy dive bar with sticky floors personified. This album had something for everyone. Mountain Song is the epitome of rock while Jane Says is pleasantly pop (by the way, she got clean and has a great life). Summertime Rolls is sheer trippy floating in the ether weirdness. Toss in some punk and jazz, it’s all there. I have a lot of love for this album and its artistic value. Nothing Shocking was the perfect primer for the grunge movement that followed in the early 90’s.

Man, these guitar tones are so fantastic and aggro but the vocals really wear your ears out after a while. That said, it's a hell of an album.

Low 4

This album had a major, some might say Ocean Sized, impact on me when I first heard it. The opening bass notes on Up The Beach are so nicely complimented by Navarro's full chords and descending lines that sets a mood that is almost contemplative. Whereas Ocean Sized is tidal and crashing initially and then shifts like waves between the bombastic and the gentle. I was immediately hooked. The release timing was fortuitous. It hit me right around the time I was shifting from totally entrenched goth/new wave tastes and branching out to more punk and metal listening habits. It was a perfect transition album at a transitional time. And, I also encountered it when it came out. In other words, I had only it and the live album to understand Jane's Addiction as a band. I could not look across their body of work and judge them holistically. (An important note since, for me, this is a band that has had a significant and rapid decline in the quality of their music). I was also young enough that what I would judge as a lyric misfire now did not rankle me at all. Back then I might've even thought they were cool. For a year or two, this was a perfect record for me. Even in the most cliche ways: snowboarding to Mountain Song, seeing them play as my first stadium concert, defending them from their detractors. I was a Jane's Addiction fan. Let's be real, it's those memories and a bit of nostalgia that has me wanting to push this rating up to 5 stars. Listening today, I would only give it 3.5 stars with all the dumb lyrics presenting an edginess that just sounds a little silly over 35 years later.

Interesting, fun, too much "screaming" or repetitive at times.

Definitely have to think about this album in the context of when it was released. In the late 80s, they changed the game and ushered in Alternative scene. This was way groovier/funkier than I was expecting.

Yeah...I slept on them for way, way, way too long. That's on me. Won't happen again. Favorite track: Mountain Song

The title is inaccurate, because for a 90s kid like me it is incredibly shocking that it took me this long to give this album a proper listen. Better late than never!

Ah the good 90s stuff.

Music for the apocalypse. I picture myself, on horseback shrieking ‘coming down the mountain!!!!’ As I take my axe to the heads of conservatives and republicans alike in the aftermath of WWIII

Very good album. Fun, rock music festival vibe. These guys really fit into a nice little unique corner of late 80s early 90s rock.

Vraiment pas dégueu, on regrettera simplement la pochette qui m'a fait réduire ma fenêtre google chrome en urgence plus d'une fois au milieu de l'open space.

3 tres bon albums d'affilé, est-ce que quelqu'un a des nouvelles de Robert ?!

I guess I can understand why most people prefer their follow-up, but this most recent relisten has only confirmed for me that I definitely like this one more. Perry sounds great and the band is killer, but more notably, it has a particular weirdness to it that really vibes with me. Kind of like Minutemen or Camper Van Beethoven, they float between a few different musical worlds, and even if a couple of songs aren't the absolute strongest, it's never uninteresting. "Jane Says", "Mountain Song, "Ocean Size", "Summertime Rolls", and "Pigs in Zen" are the biggest standouts in my book. High 4 stars that I can easily see growing to 4.5 one day. 4/5

Love them

Jane Says makes the album.

I had not heard this album or band before. This sound was very different from the other albums I’ve listened to so far from this website. But I liked it. Not many songs stood out to me as favorites so I’ll listen again to see if I like it more. Anyways I did like: Summertime Rolls, and Pigs in Zen. Thank you boys was only a one minute song so I regarded that as my skip song. They are hard rock so I can see myself getting into their music, will listen again!

My ex was clearly cooler than I was. She had this album. She would sing parts of it to me. "Sex is violent", "The water is so fucking hot, standing in the shower, thinking." But cute, you know? Enh. I guess you had to be there, but this was one of those ways she would always crack me up -- come up behind me when I was working and sing in my ear, "Standing in the shower, pissing on myself." As for the album, these guys were doing their thing way before their time. This album kinda rules.

Spoiler: actually quite a lot is shocking. I had a blast.

This album holds up. I can't imagine listening to it a lot, but it was pretty enjoyable and original. Would probably give 3.5 stars if possible (due to re-listening probability), but will round it up to 4.

This album unfortunately just floats on by until "Mountain Song". I think that Jane's Addiction suffered from being ahead of the time with the 1990's grunge ubiquity but they couldn't shake off enough of the 1980's stadium rock sound that I personally feel like they desperately needed to get rid of. So many songs on this record have that HUGE stadium sound and they don't really say anything or do anything special. Then you hear "Mountain Song", which actually capitalizes on that stadium sound and sounds great! It's unfortunate but to me it's like this album was trying to figure out their sound and the big stadium rock flavor only really worked for me on this track. And then you get "Jane Says", (which I erroneously have credited as a "90's song") an amazing anthemic grunge rock tune that is so cool that it can use steel drums as a focal point and no one can question their use. I really really love this song. The lyrics are poetic and incredibly raw and sad. I love Perry's vocal performance on this. I can't help but feel so much sadness for this strung out girl when he sings this so straightforward in the second verse: "Jane says I'm going away to Spain when I get my money saved gonna start tomorrow I'm gonna kick tomorrow I'm gonna kick tomorrow" I've never had any serious drug problems in my life but I can imagine this is what it is like- looking at yourself and in this constant cycle of saying "I can fix this. Let's start tomorrow", and never "today". Every year of my life (since I was 26) I've made a playlist of every song that I was listening to and particularly enjoying, and this song has been a rare constant- with maybe 3 or 4 appearances across those 8 playlists. Timeless album cover. I remember seeing it in CD stores as a kid. I feel like this is a 3 but I want to give it a 4. I've been fickle before about rating albums on this list before and to me really only 2 songs stand out on this album (this record has 2/4 of their really great songs, with the other two- "Been Caught Stealin'" and "Stop!" on the album "Ritual de lo Habitual"). Is that enough to give it a 4? I feel like giving a 3 to the album that has these two monumental songs on it would be a disservice to my music tastes, so I think it's OK to give it a 4. Tough vote.

OMG I really enjoyed this album. Highlight for me was Ted…just admit it. There is an amazing remix/mash up version on the ‘natural born killers’ soundtrack. What a great album!

okay this fucking rules. i had only heard “Been Caught Stealing” before this and thought, yeah it’s fine. but this was rad. noisy, anarchic, fun, a wee bit psychedelic in that brown, slightly nasty butthole surfers/ early flaming lips kinda way. a little bit pixies, a little bit chili peppers, maybe a *tiny* bit sonic youth? all in all super fun.

I listened to this album so much in high school I still adore lots of these songs, tho I wish they SOUNDED better Even so, Summertime Rolls is one of my all time favourites, and I think Jane Says, Ocean Size, and Ted, Just Admit It are all fucking awesome tracks 4 Stars!

It’s a great album just not my cup of tea

Coole plaat

This album was one of the first for me to expand out past popular music and what my parents listened to. Summertime Rolls, The Mountain Song and Jane Says are some of my earliest influential “alternative” songs.

Killer album. It simply rocks, but they also hit a pretty wide variety of influences and styles within the framework of alternative. The production elevates it as well.

Didn't even give this album a listen through so blind album, not artist. I know the hit Jane Says, but the rest of the album holds up surprisingly. I enjoyed the listen and the deep tracks. It's funny cause this album was released in the 80s, and kinda has that 80s hair metal vibe but with 90s twist and spice thrown in.

mi a fasz az amúgy hogy lehet, hogy sohasem hallotam még róluk? ronda ass akcentus

Enjoyed it

Oh no.. This is exactly my genre, alt-y rock. I was very excited when I heard the first song. But gosh I dislike the lead's voice. Just imagine Summertime Rolls with the same instruments, but with a less... cocky voice. But ahh, I still enjoy it. The instrumentals are top-notch. It's hard to rate this, honestly, since I really like it but still get frustrated by it?

Vet, raar, en virtuoos

What would the 90s music scene have been without Jane's Addiction? They coined the term 'alternative' to describe their particular style of indie rock, a term that would be regularly used to describe the scene that followed. Their members were closely intertwined with the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. And their festival, Lollapalooza, brought many 90s artists to early fame. Jane's Addiction is another staple of my youth though I'm less familiar with this album. I prefer Ritual de lo Habitual but there are some amazing songs here too, including Mountain Song and Jane Says.

Great debut album. Not as hard rock as I expected.

Funtimes.

Pretty solid front to back, a few songs pushed this into 4 territory

1988. Same year as appetite for destruction. Jane's was well ahead of their time. It's not as strong as Ritual de lo Habitual - their masterpiece - but still cooks.

There was nothing like Janes Addiction when this album dropped in the late eighties. Even today this is a rock record that stands out for being different.

This came out a couple years before I went to college and was still a huge item on the music scene there. I'm on the fence 30 years later: it doesn't sound like anything else and still rocks pretty hard. There's a goofy dumbness to some the lyrics though.

Definitely not my genre, but very good indeed

Ocean Size was cool. Standing in the Shower... Thinking is also cool. I'm just happy this album didnt make me cry this morning.

4.5

Good rocky noise, never really got into them at the time, will give a deeper listen.

Pretty much on par with this era of sorta grungy alt rock. Quite literally nothing shocking to me.

This is one of those albums that I definitely see as good but I probably won't come back to very often. It is just a combination of not my preferred genre and the music being, to me, not mindblowing. It was still a really enjoyable listen but I probably will be unlikely to come back to it. Still like a 8.5/10

liked it more than i expected to!

String but annoying voice

Stellar guitar and drum work but not as good as ritual

Most of this album isn’t for me, but objectively it is a 4 star album.

This album was pretty good, I thought Dave Navarro on the guitar was very talented! Especially during the solo on the second song and beyond. Even if I didn't like the vocals as much there was something for me to look forward to in each of the songs. I found myself very excited for what he was gonna do on each new track on the album. Usually when there's a song longer than 5 minutes on an album I kind of side eye it but they're pretty solid here!

A surprising back end, I love the slowdown songs, but the opening is weaker than I'd like.

I listen to this often. Such a good album.

Venga, un 4.

Love the sound, but the songs themselves do not hook me

Interesting, not too bad

I was expecting to hate this but it's kind of a bop.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that Dave Navarro plays guitar for Jane’s Addiction, having previously seen him on TV, so I already kind of had an idea where this album was going but even then there were moments that really stood out. The album kicks off with a very distorted ‘Up the Beach’ acting as a grand opening for the album, it’s a very cool intro which leads into a slightly less distorted ‘Ocean Size’ giving this album a strong opening and it doesn’t let down from there as the following ‘Had a Dad’ is an infectious rock song. Both the guitar and the drums stand tall with a key guitar moment in the middle and the end, it’s simply a fantastic song. Dave has some other key moments such as ‘Standing in the Shower…Thinking’ as he shreds the guitar. Also on the final track ‘Pigs in Zen’ he creates so much depth with a long low notes shredding into a high pitched finale. I also have to mention ‘Jane Says’ considering it’s their most popular song I’m guessing solely based off the laid back instrumental and the standout vocals, not my favourite on here so I do find it a little hard to see how it’s their most popular but still a good song nonetheless. Really enjoyed this listen, not an incredible album but a very good one that I will be returning to.

While I still like most of this record, there is some strong rock and roll here, there are a few songs (Ted, Just Admit It…) that are maybe trying a bit hard, and that’s ok, but I don’t enjoy them. I think enough songs (Ocean Size, Had A Dad,…) buoy the record and make it worth noting. At the time, it felt new and different and very cool.

I liked this one a bit more than Ritual De Lo Habitual. Seemed a little more even throughout and I didn't dislike half of it. Would listen to this one again.

massa o.fado, já tinha curtido

I’ve always been reluctant to admit that Jane’s Addiction is good. But it is.

Ik kende dit nog niet. Helemaal niks mis mee, mist alleen een nummer wat ik keer op keer zou willen luisteren.

Not shocking but surprising that this album is from the 1980s because the sound of it fresher than that. I am certain that this is the link between 1980s hair metal and 1990s alternative rock. The album sounds raw, well played, the musicians are obviously very talented. It was a bit monotonous after a while but I am giving it a generous 4 because of the cultural importance of it.

I liked this more when I was younger. It's not bad though. The live version of Jane Says found on Kettle Whistle is much better to me. A fairly important record that is fairly good. Some songs hit, some miss. A somewhat generous 4 from me.

1st song has a really good instrumental - voice is a bit odd? Track 2 also has really fun percussion and guitar work, and it's that screaming that's not quite screaming that's actually enjoyable Didn't really enjoy song 3, just too long. Also apparently it's about Ted Bundy, fucking lol Really enjoyed the use of various instruments further down the album, like the steel drums and what I think was the violin.

Like this a lot more than Ritual De Lo Habitual

A bit like a more diverse Motley Crüe. LA metal/hard rock sound but with a bit more groovy rhythm section and some experimental songs. Dave Navarro is a tasteful lead guitarist in small doses. Can’t really stand the lead vocals though. Standout track is Standing in the Shower Thinking and Mountain Song

A lot going on in this album leading to good results. Starts with heavy distortion and grungy. Moves a little more prog-y. Middle of the record is more rock and roll, times when there's horns accompanying ("Idiots Rule"). Acoustic guitar-driven "Jane Says" is the standout.

Still a banger.

I liked but didn’t this one. the first song was cool it reminded me of RHCP’s “warped” from One Hot Minute. Dave Navarro has some cool big feedback guitar sounds. Pretty solid rock band I probably would’ve liked this more in middle school when I was really into other 90’s funk rock (chili peppers, fishbone, faith no more, living colour etc). I feel like maybe the sound is better than the song writing on half of this. There’s definitely some filler (“thank you boys”) on here. 3.5

ok

I listened to Jane's Addition intensely for a period in my twenties, then hardly at all since. It was good to re-discover them. Ocean Size is a great song

I’ve never heard this album before but the sound is so intriguing to me. The first thing I heard was some 70s psychedelic rock, similar to Pink Floyd or Led Zeppelin. Then I started to get some 80s hair metal, a genre I grew up on, for better or for worse (mainly better). But then you get a taste of grunge, which surprised me most of all given the time frame of this album. Overall it was a solid album, one that I’d come back to occasionally, but because it surprised me so much I have to bump the rating up.

IM DONE WITH SERGIO Haaland has scored 5 goals in a UCL game today jeez SEX IS VIOLENT Holy shit I'm really liking this album so far, kinda surprised how up there it is Yeah I mean, is it as good as the past two albums or some of the other 4's I have? Nah, but its better than a few of them and I'll ride with the 3.75 to 4 on this baddie....

Brilliant album.

Excellent bridge between 80’s rock and 90’s grunge.

Another album I knew the singles of but hadn't listened to in full. Solid rock music overall and some fun lyrics. Nothing jumped out at me super hard, and nothing I would deem bad. Fun and funky guitar work, and solid bass lines.

I really like Dave Navarro here. He lets a lot of riffs breathe and it makes it feel so much heavier than it could have if they did the normal funk rock thing. It’s a great mix of heavy and joyful, musically at least. I also like how just generally weird it is, vocally and instrumentally. Perry’s got a unique vocal timbre and cadence and his goofy vocalizations add a lot to the overall vibes. The bass throughout is killer. I read a quote from Nick Oliveri, bassist for Kyuss/Mondo Generator/some QotSA, where he praised how active the bass was. Glad I did so I could specifically listen for it. 1988 as the release date surprised me. When I listen for it, I can imagine this coming off the back of glam, but without knowing I would easily believe this came out 10 years later. Guaranteed will listen to more Jane’s Addiction.

3.5/5

7/10 it’s fun, but metal isn’t particularly my cup of tea

There are some really good songs on here, but I can't ever get into Jane's Addiction. Just not my cup of tea

A perfect example of the west coast alternative rock sound from the late 80s to 90s. The album is great and after listening to this album I can see why Jane's Addiction's guitarist Dave Navarro joined Red Hot Chili Peppers. I'm not that familiar with the band except a song here and there so this was an interesting listen.

Man forstår nå hvorfor man har band som Turnstile osv. De henter jo inspo fra disse greiene her. Band som er brutalt gode på riff, og jams. Når de henter med seg blåserekke på "idiots rule" er det vanskelig for meg å ikke la nakken få en treningsøkt. Det hørtes nærmest seksuelt ut... Eller kanskje det bare er albumet som gjør hjernen min skitten..

Wasn't shocking

James Addiction (milk)

Gave major turnstile vibes. I really enjoyed the album. I love it

Nice rock material.

First time actually listening to Jane's Addiction. Good stuff.

Excellent album, really good alternative, angst feel to it. enjoyed it

It’s been a good while since I’ve listened to any Jane’s Addiction. Been Caught Stealing was always a great song to dance to in clubs back when I had the energy for those kinds of shenanigans. Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Had A Dad, Jane Says I really needed an album like this today: high energy, feel good, alt rock. I’m not even going to try to pretend to have no situational bias here - we had an overnight leak and a good deal of water damage. An extremely stressful morning was made slightly less awful through having this album on, so straight away I’m getting positive energy from it. I do enjoy the vocals from Jane’s Addiction, with Perry Farrell kind of shouting but not quite, and still with plenty of melody. Overall, a good album that made my day slightly less terrible.

Noisy. Good. A couple of really good songs. 4 out of 5.

first listen rough mixing but definitely an assortment of styles

Très bon!

Musically, ‘Nothing’s Shocking’ generally rocks, but Perry Farrell’s vocals add a somewhat zany and cartoony element to proceedings with lyrics that are both cringe but disconcerting at the same time. End result: I never know if I should be taking Janes Addiction seriously or not, and it irks me.

Great album all the way through. I never really listened to this one before (outside of the radio hits) as it came out when I was a bit too young. I had some of their later albums though.

Not really my kind of thing but it does what it sets out to do very well making it a fun and authentic listen. A few duds but Jane Says is a classic track. I think I'll be generous and give it a 4 for being influential and a great album cover, worth a listen for sure.

I'd never actively listened to Jane's Addiction before, but this is a pretty nice album. Good guitar and bass, engaging songs.

Great album

For some reason, I never really checked out this band, but this is a pretty good album. The energy it oozes reminds me a bit of Turnstile, who must have been strongly influenced by this band.

I love hearing music that is unique, music that's unlike anything I've ever heard before. This was that for me. Such a fantastic mish-mash of genres. So much fun to hear the random instruments they bring in on various songs. The syncopation, the instruments separating and coming back together, the whole glorious cacophony - I'm no music critic, I barely know anything, but this album really tickled me. I'll need to come back to it.

Good and chill

I'm a big fan of Ritual de lo Habitual but had never bothered listening to the album that came before. There were glimmers of light on Nothing's Shocking but mostly I heard a band that hadn't quite found what they wanted to be yet (or at least what I wanted them to be). More spoodly hard rock than the theatrical circus that was to come.

This is my second Jane’s Addiction album. I didn’t take to this quite as much as Ritual De Lo Habitual on the first listen, but it has grown on me more as I listen again. Good stuff!

All over the place, definitely hard to call this album anything specific. But good and the type of music that I feel opened doors towards the modern melded sound. Also - shredded way harder than I expected.

This album really peaked in the middle, with banger after banger, but the beginning and end felt a little same-y. Still very good though, glad to have finally listened to a full album by Jane's Addiction

Començament de l'época daurada del rock alternatiu, amb un dels seus millors exemples. Rock intel.ligent i expansiu, amb passatges tan intrincats com bonics. Segurament el millor disc d'un dels grans estendarts del génere

It was a jam except for a few songs that were a bit to shock and vulgar for me.

I liked this a lot. Dave Navarro’s guitar playing was incredible. The vocals were sitting in the mix so well melodically. Definitely earned my respect. The lyrics however can be a bit twisted and strange, but that is a personal take and that is the only gripe I have.

Fantastic start to finish

Definitely an album I want to revisit. Jane's Addiction is one of those groups I've always liked but have never listened to their whole discography. Loved the feel of this record though.

A little heavier in the guitar than I normally listen to but the album does have good dynamic swings that aleviate some of the really heavy aspects that don't generally appeal to me. The drumming on this album is absolutely incredible and drives the music with incredible energy. Generally the songs are very good. I enjoyed this album much more than I expected to. It has elements that i find difficult; heavy metal style guitars, high pitched vocals, but somehow the whole works for me. 4 stars

Yeah, Janes Addiction. Enjoyed clocking the PWEI sample of the yelp in Ocean Size for Get the Girl Kill the Baddies. What a yelp Perry has on him. Not that familiar with Jane Says, must not have been that big over here, always immediately think of Been Caught Stealing. I don't listen to JA much but I like what they are.

酣畅淋漓但随时崩溃、歇斯底里又惴惴不安

Loved the tone of the lead guitar and how it often seemed to come out of no where and serve you with a fat riff

Mix che regala poca pacca a un album che di pacca ne ha bisogno. Chitarre distorte mescolate con la voce, tutto compresso. "Ted, just admit it" pezzone, crescendo di follia. Chitarra un po' ripetitiva, bei giri di basso.

4.25

Mostly into the popular songs but still enjoyed

I liked this!

Its very good

Still holds up today.

Jane says she had a dad who would sing a mountain song while standing in the shower... thinking about pigs in zen. She would say Ted, just admit it... idiots rule. Summertime rolls up the beach as an ocean sized thumbs up is given to this album. Thank you boys. In other words, as good enough of a wake up call as a cup of coffee. Favorites: Up the Beach, Ocean Size, Ted, Just Admit It..., Summertime Rolls, Mountain Song, Jane Says.

Really cool album with a lot of variety and ferocity. I can see where all my favorite bands get their influences from, right here. There wasn't a bad song on here and I definitely want to explore more of their records soon.

Jane Says was a Camp Wahanowin staple for every Cafe D'Fwago performance. But honestly I have always listened to Ritual de lo Habitual a whole lot more.

Yoooo fam dope record

This album has a lot going for it. Of course, this album is solid alternative rock. Jane’s Addiction is largely responsible for brining alternative rock into the mainstream but what we hear is something more complex. We get sounds from earlier glam and underground rock moving forward through and past hair metal. The band also has its experimental moments and incorporate elements of jazz and a lot of funk. I would’ve liked to have heard this album when it came out because I’m sure it sounded new at the time and we didn’t have some of the more cringeworthy aspects of alternative at the time. It’s truly a great album though.

Much like when I got Ritual De Lo Habitual on this list, I like this album, though I still don't see myself ever putting on a Janes Addiction album of my own volition. This album certainly feels more revolutionary than the works that came after it by this band. It definitely doesn't sound like an album from 1988, and was clearly highly influential in its time. I had no idea that Jane Says was made this early. I always thought it was mid-90s from the way it sounds 4/5

Surprised by the amount of pretty awesome guitar solos here. Mountain Song and Jane Says are all time great songs, but the rest of the album is absolutely solid. If I were to have one knock, a lot of the songs sound quite similar.

This is actually one of those bands that I have grown to appreciate much more thanks to this 1001 generator. I was pleasantly surprised by Ritual, but Nothing's Shocking is even better. Perry has an amazing voice, and this album is timeless and transcendent. It's crazy that this was released in 1988.

Good guitar. 7/10

This is noisy in a way that only screaming guitars can be. It's aggressive, but in places the guitars sound almost shoegazey. Jane Says is a great listen, with the somewhat surprising steel drums. Can't go unnoticed that quite a lot of the guitar work is overwrought to the point of being distracting. Their place in history is cemented as taking rock away from rock and pop away from pop.

Huh. Did NOT know Jane's Addiction sounded like this other than their one or two singles that still play on the radio. I enjoyed this a lot and will be checking out their other albums.

I'd heard of the band but never a song so I wasn't sure what to expect. They were definitely ahead of their time since this reminds me of 90s alt rock but this was released in the 80s. Clearly they knew what was coming and anticipated it before everyone else. I will definitely be listening to this again. 4.5/5

There are some awesome sounding songs on this album. I've never given it a true listen, and I should really revisit it more often.

Ya casi tenía decidido ponerle 03 pero justo comenzó a sonar Jane Says, la canción de Jane's addiction que más me gusta. Sube a 4 por esa canción.

3.5

Very cool album. Couple of absolute bangers, couple of haunting ballads, fun listen.

Coming Down the Mountain and Jane Says are classics for me. Jane's addiction feel a little one note to me, but it's a good thing they've got going. Probably a 3.5 for me.

If you like grunge, you'll dig this. Jane's Addiction have always been one of the forgotten grunge bands, overshadowed by Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, etc. But they have a really fun vibe, a little less dark than the others.

I love this band. I love that their music is simple and complex at the same time. It's off the beaten bath. I was a huge fan of Mountain Song and Jane Says in high school.

Another GREAT album by Janes Addiction! This one predates the whole grunge movement. There’s no grunge influences here. Certainly some psychedelic and flamenco ones though. “Mountain Song” is a straight up rock banger!

Much more interesting than I remember tbh.

Con la referencia del otro disco de Jane's Addiction y viendo que este era anterior, pensé que me iba a gustar todavía menos… Pero no, de hecho creo que es muy superior al otro y solamente este debería estar en la lista. Llega a las 4 estrellas aunque no será el disco que marque mi vida ni nada por el estilo; simplemente tiene buenos momentos en bajos, percusiones y guitarras… La voz a veces fastidia pero a veces me gsuta.

JANE SAYSSSSS

Very thoroughly enjoyed listening to this. It's got plenty of interesting things going on, not shying away from adding some unconventional instruments into the mix. Loved it! Solid 4.5/5

Fav songs: - Had a Dad - Standing In The Shower... Thinking - Summertime Rolls - Pigs in Zen

The singer screams like a cross between David Bowie and Robert ,singing lyrics of urban desolation. Somehow disorganised, the record consists of different genres: heavy metal attacks, mystical psychedelics, the hyper-distorted melodramatic blues in Led Zepplin style. (7/10) LT: Jane Says, Ocean Size

this was good - it has melody

I’ve given this album a few tries over the years, and I think this time it’s clicked with me the most. Still not the all time classic a lot people see it as, but there aren’t any duds on here, and actually a few amazing songs (like “Jane Says,” an all time great tune IMO)

Liked this a lot, feels (and looks) like a very 90s alt-rock album even though it was recorded in the 80s.

This has gone a long way towards rekindling my long lost love of heavier rock. I like this a lot.

I love how heavy yet sweet this album is. "Jane Says" is actually one of my new favorite songs now. It's just so harsh and sentimental. The whole album sounds great!

I first got into Jane's Addiction right before "Been Caught Stealing" came out. "Mountain Song" and "Ocean Size" just... wow. "Pigs In Zen" at the time I really dug, but I can see it being a little cringe-y now. Most of the songs still hold up for me, Perry Farrell is one of the amazing vocalists from the 90s where it's just... wow. I know most people like the one song, but most of this album is really solid for me. It's interesting to hear the band compositions and see how different they are from the songs credited just to Farrell. Most people talk about Farrell, but can I take a moment to mention how stunning Navarro is in this stuff? I think it's a crime that he did not gel as much with Red Hot Chili Peppers that he could have, he could have taken them to another level. This album really sets up the next album to be their peak, but I think of it more as a one-two punch. Really enjoyed coming back to this, it had been a while (although Pigs In Zen I may skip next time around...).

Awesome classic. Jane Says, Had a Dad and Mountain Song. Never listened as closely as RDLH but really enjoyed it. But will RDLH be included as well?

More interesting than expected, less squelchy grunge

Surprisingly diverse for this era of hard rock

Pretty rad. Not shocking at all.

4/5. Better than GnR, and a lot of the funk rock at the time, but it is kinda responsible for ushering it in so… 😬

Need to listen again. Enjoyed the songs I listened to but didnt finish the album

Very heavy album...heavier than my usual fare. Having said that there are some very good songs here...Ocean Song, Ted Just Admit It, Jane Says, Summertime Rolls and of course Mountain Song. A really good album with very good guitar playing and some absolutely superb drumming. 4 stars

It's a good album, but many of the songs sound similar to me.

Bit hard but not bad

Dobre, szalone pierdolnięcie. Czwóreczka się należy

This is a 4-star album, because the 5-star one would be Ritual De Lo Habitual.

Vorläufer wirklich guter Musik. Aber eben Vorläufer

Venga, un 4.

Made me realise I liked them more than I thought

Loved the first seven tracks, but found it less likeable from Idiots Rule onwards. Nevertheless, I would recommend.

J'ai bien aimé aussi, ca déménage. les chansons sont assez bien structuré et l'album s'écoute bien. Ce porte bien pour plusiuers activitées. seulement pas une musqiue d'ambiance. Je connaissais le groupe de nom mais m'y était jamais attardé. C'est une bonne representation de ce courant musicale. 4

Classic from high school for me. Let’s go!!! Lol

JAAANE SAAAYS

Never connected with Jane's Addiction's style, but I respect the ability to bring some weirdness to the mainstream scene! Mountain Song does a lot of heavy lifting bringing this 3-star up to a 4.

Solid 4.4. Great CD album

Gewoon een vet album. Niets meer, niets minder.

decent stuff!

One of the albums that gets a lot of credit for being a precursor influence on the 90's grunge scene. The writing on this album takes the popular sounds from classic punk, glam rock and power metal to a darker place, but not quite as bleak as a lot of the genre gets known for. There's not single bad song on the record (although Thank You Boys is more of a bit than a song - it's still a nice little diddy). and the band really mixed up the tones and feelings they wanted to portray. There's a song for every mood, but it's so well done that it doesn't feel choppy or out of place. And the songs just keep getting better as the album goes. A must listen for hard rock, grunge or alternative fans. Songs I Already Knew: Mountain Song, Jane Says Favorite Song: Mountain Song Favorite Discovery: Idiots Rule Least Favorite: Ocean Size

I've heard this band name before, perhaps they had a song on Guitar Hero? Anyway, this album was great. I was worried it would threaten classics week, but I feel like it's good enough to fit in. Some great grunge-y rock. I loved the opener, which I immediately recognized as sampled in the opener to Death Grip's Exmilitary. No big hits that I knew, but this one felt great. Favorite tracks: Up the Beach, Idiots Rule, Jane Says, Summertime Rolls, Ocean Size. Album art: Hubba hubba, am I right? No, this is actually more scary than it is raunchy. Their heads are on fire, they're conjoined. I like this cover though, especially the cow-skin framing. Reminds me of Freddie Gibbs and Madlib's Pinata. 4/5

Great LA late 80s rock vibes. Good guitar, lyrics. Some songs got lost in the mix but solid album.

Jane says - 4 stars

Solid album. One of the few albums that I enjoyed even more 25+ years after I first listened to it.

oeh ja dit is hem. goeie muziek en TETTECOVER

lekkere rock en roll hoor baby!

This was great, not listened to this artist before will check out more of their stuff Jane says and summertime rolls where highlights

I've heard various songs by Jane's Addiction on the radio (my peak radio years were the 90's) but never gave anything a full play-through. I enjoyed most of the songs but skipped through a few (the end of Ted, Just Admit It.. couldn't hang onto that one). Good grungy processed fuzzy guitars and drums, and Perry Farrell grinding away on top of it.

This is the link that gets us from 80s metal to 90s alternative. I only knew Mountain Song and Jane Says but this album could easily be could be on regular rotation.

Classic Jane

A fucking classic.

y’all this is kinda a vibe like driving down the free way and ready to disassemble the patriarchy even tho it’s a man singing. the last like quarter got me confused but i love thank u boys

This is pre grunge and I love it.

No me pregunten por qué no le pongo 5 estrellas porque no lo sé. Chulada de disquito.

Not a massive fan of Farrell’s vocals but it’s obvious these guys are extremely talented musicians.

Wow... the album cover is strange and inappropriate, but, I like their sound.

I did not expect to like this as much as I did. On the spectrum of music I listen to, this exists right at the limit of how far I will venture into loud/aggressive sounding rock. It's actually difficult for me to categorize this sound.

I was surprised that this album was from the 80s! It was a couple days ago, so I don't really remember it more specifically.

Nothing's Shocking is a fitting title. Standout Tracks: Ted, Just Admit It..., Summertime Rolls, Jane Says, Thank You Boys, Pigs In Zen

A classic

exactly, nothing shocking

It's okay, especially the guitar work but it didn't really capture my attention.

rock """alternativo""" mesclado com hard rock, né. não eh bom não. mas eh menos pior que o outro deles que passou por aqui. na melhor das hipóteses, mediano. pior que eles devem ter sido gigantes na gringa, né. graças a deus nasci brasileiro.