Geffen may have made their millions out of big hit bands such as Nirvana and Guns 'n' Roses, but alongside the bitter Warrior Soul, Jane's addiction were one of the labels bravest signings, a hugely successful cult band that signified all that was right with alternative metal during their reign. Whilst there may have been hordes of pathetic imitation bands, poor funk-metal combo's and irritating groups attempting weirdness, Jane's Addiction, just like Faith No More, warrior Soul, Last Crack and I Love You just had that special something, but were only one of a few bands, including Faith No More, to rise above the oppressive scene at the time.
This is the band's second record, a wonderful, strange, sweeping and eerie opus of funky grunge, seedy rock, art gloom and twisted, sexual anarchy, mainly in the form of twiggy frontman Perry Farrell, flanked by his dandy army of glam punks and drop-outs, who when fused together somehow came up with this stomping and wildly unpredictable work.
There's no real bracket to put this band in, the music, always incredibly catchy and accessible is yet still so distant, whether it's in the form of jazz-funk cavorting of 'Standing In The Shower Thinking' and 'Idiots Rule', or the breathtaking wheeze of 'Summerime Rolls', there's no pin-pointing what lurks behind the bands idea or concept except to say that it's a myriad of stark angels, perverse love triangles, brooding paranoia and drug-induced psychosis, yet it never gets angry or dirty, but remains a hazy layer in the mind, despite occasionally being a frenetic noise, this always remains a freakish pleasure, pulling in an audience from wherever.
'Nothings Shocking' DID shock when it hit the racks, the record wrapped in a rubbery black sleeve hiding the nude, Siamese twin sculpture of the real cover within, but look beyond the facade and explore the truly hidden depths of this record and you'll find a wonderfully intelligent and at times awkward record that remains one of rocks most dazzling yet still underrated pieces of work.
forget the money-makers on Geffen's roster, it was always this kind of rock 'n' roll that the kids craved most.
8.5/10
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