"Three Days"

Jane's Addiction broke out of the cluttered mid '80s rock scene at a time when hair metal was king and song writing and musicianship took a back seat to teased out hair and leather. Originality was a commodity at the time and Jane's had plenty of it. Led by dynamic frontman Perry Farrell, Jane's Addiction produced two highly remarkable albums for Warner Bros before calling it quits in the early '90s.

Their first major label collection Nothing's Shocking was released in '88 and is probably most notable for "Jane Says," a song that I disliked then and can still pretty much do without now. Which isn't to say that it is a bad song. "Jane Says" while incredibly listenable just isn't the band's most ambitious track. The album also features the explosive "Mountain Song" and "Had a Dad."

Ritual De Lo Habitual followed in '90 and with it Jane's staked their claim as one of the most adventurous bands in rock. The collection which opens with the neo-punk "Stop," contains eight other tracks that are all at once exciting, innovative and vital. The most important track though, and perhaps the one that defines Jane's most as a band is "Three Days," a 10 and a half minute plus cut that plays like a highly erotic session of lovemaking between two passionate lovers.

"Three Days" opens with a pair of spoken voices (both Perry Farrell) echoing each other from either end of the stereo spectrum. Eric A's bass enters next delivering a repetitive, hypnotic line that sets the mood and drives the opening sections of the track. Dave Navarro's chimey guitars follow, filling the sonic space, overdubbed lines adding depth to the already "heavy" environment.

In the minutes that follow the band creates a series of moods, highs and lows and a wonderful crescendo driven by Stephen Perkin's rhythmic drumming. But no one member really dictates how things should go. The music is organic and develops in a natural and logical way. Farrell's vocal, quiet and plaintive at times, loud and raucous at others, navigates its way through the track, showcasing his dynamic talent, all while painting vivid images on the canvas that his bandmates have provided. Rumor has it that the basic track for "Three Days" was recorded last and in one take, some of the members not even on speaking terms at the session, and this makes the track all the more remarkable.

The band broke up shortly after Ritual, but reunited in the following years (minus Eric A). The latest reunion produced last year's satisfying Strays, but no matter what Jane's does in the future, "Three Days" will always remain the high water mark of their innovative career.