self-titled
[American - 1994]
The end of Jane's Addiction after the brilliant Ritual de lo Habitual [Warner Bros - 1990] and the band headlining the inaugural edition of the Perry Farrell-conceived Lollapalooza in 1991, left denizens of the Alternative Nation hungry for more of the power and majesty of the L.A. art-rock quartet. So, when not too long after Jane's demise guitarist Dave Navarro and bassist Eric Avery teamed up with drummer Mike Murphy in a new outfit—sticksman Stephen Perkins chose to join forces with Farrell in Porno for Pyros—expectations were undoubtedly high.
Released to mixed reviews and poor sales, Deconstruction's lone album deserved a much better fate for a collection of songs that, in essence, amount to a solid Jane's record without Farrell's vocals. (Avery handles singing duties throughout.) Despite being a proposition that should've lured any fan of the band, it was not to be and Navarro joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers soon thereafter while Avery laid low for over a decade.
Time has been kind to the album, however, and it could be argued to be a more satisfying than any part of the post-reunion Jane's Addiction catalog. Dark, brooding and at times rather insular, but with all the virtuosity, controlled bombast and grandeur that marked Jane's Addiction's best moments, Deconstruction is definitely worth the attention of anyone who enjoys both Van Halen and the Velvet Underground.
Released July, 1994.
