10 Perfect Rock Albums From The LA Alternative Scene

Jane’s Addiction were a tour de force on the underground LA scene. During the mid ‘80s to early 90s they combined an extravagant mix of psychedelia-laced metal, with funked out rhythms, and wildly theatrical vocals.

Perry Farrell’s voice, was and is, instantly identifiable; it has a bratty, elf-like quality that screams of carefree hedonism. Dave Navarro was one of the more distinctive guitarists of the era. The Chili Peppers had Hillel Slovak channelling a Bootsy Collins inspire take on Hendrix; Faith No More, had Big Jim Martin, injecting a touch of thrash into the scene; but Dave Navarro was another level. He played everything through a metal filter, but you could hear his appreciation for hard rock, blues and psychedelia. He could wiped the floor clean, with any of the hair metal guitarists strutting along the Sunset Strip...

The heavier tracks on this album will have you yearning for the good old days of alt-rock. But, you'll be equally intrigued by the softer, more experimental numbers, like Ted Just Admit It, and Jane Says. The latter is so baffling - in its contrast to the rest of the album - that only Perry Ferrall's drug use can explain its inclusion. Nevertheless, the Rusted Root-style jingle is hella enjoyable.