Jane’s Addiction
Live in NYC
(Universal)

Jane’s Addiction have become rock and roll legends, despite only producing four studio albums since 1988. Known for their explosive, surreal performances, the band brings fans into their world once more with their 2013 live album from NYC. The 12-song record, running about 70 minutes long, features five songs from 1988’s Nothing’s Shocking, four songs from 1990’s Ritual de lo habitual, one song from 2003’s Strays, one song from 2011’s The Great Escape Artist, and one song from their self-titled 1987 album.

The album opens up with “Whores” and “Ain’t No Right,” after which Perry Farrell says “They ask me, why do I do it? Do I do it for the money? I say to them, just because.” The band then breaks into “Just Because,” the only track performed from 2003’s Strays, after which Farrell sings a couple lines from “Summer in the City” by The Lovin’ Spoonful.

The band then breaks into the seductive “Ted, Just Admit It…”, with more dialogue from Perry afterwards: “And that, to me, is the sound of sex. Let me have it no other way. Give it to me hard and fast, then slow it down and let me kiss tenderly…”

“What’s wonderful about New York is all the products that it has in the windows. We come in from Los Angeles and we’re wide-eyed children, looking in the windows, seeing all the amazing artwork and furniture and clothing that we STEAL!” After this statement from Perry, the band breaks into their popular hit, “Been Caught Stealing,” where we hear more humorous dialogue from Perry about stealing.

Perry then briefly discusses his upbringing before the band breaks into “Irresistible Force (Met the Immovable Object),” off of their latest album, 2011’s The Great Escape Artist. The mesmerizing, guitar-driven “Up the Beach” follows, before “Ocean Size,” “Mountain Song,” and “Stop!”

The highlight of the album was, unsurprisingly, the epic track, “Three Days,” where we encounter a whirlwind of euphoric sounds for almost twelve minutes. Like in most of their live shows, the band closes with their biggest hit yet, “Jane Says.”

Overall, the live tracks from Jane’s Addiction do stray a little bit from the studio versions, which fans should savor. Still, playing mostly old hits and fan favorites, the band knows how to please their fans.