Jane’s Addiction had come to my attention via ‘Mountain Song’ on Rage and I still regret not accepting an invitation to see them perform at the Hordern Pavilion in 1991.
There were other bands successfully pushing boundaries in this area — and this album sits amongst Faith No More’s The Real Thing, Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ Bloodsugarsexmagic and then the watershed of Nirvana’s Nevermind — but I think it deserves more attention.
One critic argues Jane’s Addiction revived interest in Led Zeppelin and I’m not sure that ever went away, but I think this album paved a way for Soundgarden’s Badmotorfinger — which is a more obvious heir.
Ritual de lo Habitual has a huge dynamic range and the track ‘Three Days’ is particularly epic.
That track also exemplifies the beautifully understated bass playing of Eric Avery, which carries most of the song.
Both Flea and John Frusciante of the Chilli Peppers have acknowledged his influence.
As someone who’d ’Been Caught Stealing’ it surprised me that a song about shoplifting could be so funky and those dogs happily barking in the opening also spoke to me.
I still get a huge rush of energy when I hear the opening chords.
