2008 Woodie Awards
Jane's Addiction's 'Strays' far enough to still be different, recommended
Michael Muin
Issue date: 8/28/03 Section: Features
- Page 1 of 2 next >
You'd think rock fans would tire of this story: band struggles, band hits it big, band flames out on grade-A drugs, band triumphantly reunites years later to critical acclaim and broad fan appeal.
Returning with just their third studio album and first in 13 years, alt-rockers Jane's Addiction deviate slightly from the kingdom of freaks with their latest release, 'Strays.'
Jane's emerged in the late '80s like an earsplitting banshee with an eclectic style and unique sound to match. Frontman Perry Farrell was once the dreadlocked, tattooed freak when only bikers got tattoos and Rastafarians had dreadlocks.
Now, the current incarnation of Jane's is the stream-lined, safer, more marketable, distinctly contemporary version of the band. Farrell even lost the locks. Surprisingly, what results is a solid, more appealing tour de force of soaring guitar solos, along with Farrell's high-pitched yelp.
With producer Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd's 'The Wall'), Jane's has managed to create one of those big American rock albums with a deft addition of electronics that hits at a little psychedelic, a little funk, a little punk and a whole lot of energy.
Much of the album is spent creating this sonic-rising thunderstorm. The opening tune, 'True Nature,' sets the tone as Farrell proudly pronounces 'Here we go,' and Dave Navarro's crunching metal-funk chords hit as ferocious as a caged beast released, serving as a perfect return of the band.
Farrell's echoed vocals carry the title track, 'Strays,' while Navarro punctuates the ultra-funky 'Wrong Girl' with his Red Hot Chili Peppers-influenced riffage.
The middle third of the album catches fire with the standout track, 'The Riches.' The song combines an explosive riff, heavy basslines and an idyllic coda ebbing and flowing beneath a lyric about making oneself available to life's pleasures and pains when Farrell howls, "Ready or not, man/ I'm coming in/ Into the lifeSinto the life of riches!"
It's perhaps weak lyrics like these where the music loses substance.
Returning with just their third studio album and first in 13 years, alt-rockers Jane's Addiction deviate slightly from the kingdom of freaks with their latest release, 'Strays.'
Jane's emerged in the late '80s like an earsplitting banshee with an eclectic style and unique sound to match. Frontman Perry Farrell was once the dreadlocked, tattooed freak when only bikers got tattoos and Rastafarians had dreadlocks.
Now, the current incarnation of Jane's is the stream-lined, safer, more marketable, distinctly contemporary version of the band. Farrell even lost the locks. Surprisingly, what results is a solid, more appealing tour de force of soaring guitar solos, along with Farrell's high-pitched yelp.
With producer Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd's 'The Wall'), Jane's has managed to create one of those big American rock albums with a deft addition of electronics that hits at a little psychedelic, a little funk, a little punk and a whole lot of energy.
Much of the album is spent creating this sonic-rising thunderstorm. The opening tune, 'True Nature,' sets the tone as Farrell proudly pronounces 'Here we go,' and Dave Navarro's crunching metal-funk chords hit as ferocious as a caged beast released, serving as a perfect return of the band.
Farrell's echoed vocals carry the title track, 'Strays,' while Navarro punctuates the ultra-funky 'Wrong Girl' with his Red Hot Chili Peppers-influenced riffage.
The middle third of the album catches fire with the standout track, 'The Riches.' The song combines an explosive riff, heavy basslines and an idyllic coda ebbing and flowing beneath a lyric about making oneself available to life's pleasures and pains when Farrell howls, "Ready or not, man/ I'm coming in/ Into the lifeSinto the life of riches!"
It's perhaps weak lyrics like these where the music loses substance.