Jane’s Addiction Defies Expectations With “The Great Escape Artist”

(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

“ It could be about escaping to the outdoors or escaping the expectations of old Jane's fans with another great record.
” Lead Singer Perry Farrell It’s almost impossible to find someone who hasn’t heard of Jane’s Addiction.  They’re the first band to pave the way for alternative music and started the music festival Lollapalooza.

Now after waiting eight years to release their next album, The Great Escape Artist, Jane’s Addiction effortlessly falls back into the swing of things and goes far above fans expectations.

Through lineup changes, internal drama and a hiatus for almost a decade, it was looking bleak to Jane’s Addiction fans for any new music. Thankfully, they can all breathe a sigh of relief as The Great Escape Artist quenches the thirst and desire of a classically perfect rock album.

Though this album is different than what Jane’s Addiction followers remember from the ’90s, the real test of time among musical artists is the ability to be ever changing with the current music scene. The album sounds like the love child of Muse and Led Zepplin with a taste of early Jane’s Addiction flair.

“Underground” offers a strong opening to the highly anticipated album.  Perry Farrell’s vocals are classic Jane’s Addiction, but it’s hard not to get lost in the punching, dark and impressive guitar riffs from Dave Navarro . With help from TV on the Radio‘s Dave Sitek as well as founding member Stephen Perkins, the musical start of the album leaves you gasping for more.

Next is lead single “End To The Lies“, a psychedelic track that sounds like it was pulled straight from a U2 record and written perfectly to show off Navarro’s musical genius.

“Curiosity Kills” and “Irresistible Force” push the musical journey to new heights by profiling the bass work of Sitek. It’s hard to believe he’s only been working with Jane’s Addiction since January.  “I’ll Hit You Back” is a softer track, starting off guitar heavy but not overshadowing the underlying electronic feel that evolves as the second verse and bridge hit.

“Ultimate Reason” is straight out of an Egyptian action movie, almost as if it was written exclusively to soundtrack the next big screen hit. “Twisted Tales” and “Splash A Little Water On It“, though filled with Navarro’s epic solos, don’t hold the punch the previous tracks do, instead just letting us coast along until the album’s end.

The album ends with “Broken People” and “Words Right Out Of My Mouth“, two strong contenders for an album finish.  Just when you thought you’ve heard it all, Jane’s Addiction keeps you on your musical toes.  Farrell’s view on a hidden happiness among people becomes apparent as he sings “welcome to this world, welcome to the aching world, a wonderful world of broken people” telling us all that no matter how perfect we feel on the outside, there’s always something broken inside.

All in all, Jane’s Addiction‘s The Great Escape Artist is a prime example of a great comeback, mixing a bit of old school Jane with a modern twist and delivering it fresh to alternative fans around the world.

Jane’s Addiction – The Great Escape Artist
Street Date – October 18, 2011
Follow: Twitter | Facebook | Official Site
Buy:  Amazon | iTunes

Track Listing:

1.  Underground
2.  End To The Lies
3.  Curiosity Kills
4.  Irresistible Force
5.  I’ll Hit You Back
6.  Twisted Tales
7.  Ultimate Reason
8.  Splash A Little Water On It
9.  Broken People
10.  Words Right Out Of My Mouth