Janes Addiction -strays

[karkus30]

Homogeneous - composed of parts that are identical.

Now, if your old enough, you will remember the first Yoghurts to arrive on British shores, then you can probably remember the way they used to be. These Yoghurts had big, juicy, pieces of fruit in them, surrounded by a slightly bitter, tangy, creamy sauce. This made for an interesting tasting mouthful because of the variety of textures. Later versions turned into a mono coloured, smooth concoction, which was inferior to the original product, but preserved the flavour, albeit in a less interesting way.

This is what you have with the new JA album, all the bits are there, including the guitar mastery of Dave Navarro, each song is impeccably crafted, theirs not a duff one on the album.

Great, you might think, but its not, its bland, it lacks any outstanding moments, all the songs just run into one another.
If this had been a Stereophonics album, I would have been happy, amazed that they could create such great music, but its not, its Janes Addiction and so we should get more, more bite, more attitude.

IMO they took a look at the success of the Chillies new album and went for a similar format, its almost musak dont upset the record buying public, become corporate. Its coffee table music, it has the signs of Rock and Roll, but somebodies neutred and speyed it, taken away the bark and the teeth.

If this had been the Stereophonics I would have given them 4/5, but its not and I want more, a disappointed 3/5, because they have sold out.

Bring back the Fruit boys, I know how I like my Yoghurt.

[cheeseywang]

Gee Mr K, you use your tongue purdier than a $10 whore.

I can see where you're coming from. I probably like it better for not having either of the previous albums. Considered in it's own right it's a great album without a duff track on it. This in itself makes it remarkable these days. This will probably be their breakout / crossover album. It's getting almost non stop play in the car at the moment - not only because it's good, but also because my son likes house and trance music and I'm trying to educate him. He'll thank me one day...

[karkus30]

Thanks for the comment, see, I knew Id make money some day

It had constant play in my car for about 2 days, thats around 12 hours so its seen several plays.

I really wanted to like it, Ritual is one of my favourite albums and a return to that quirky stuff would have been great.
Thing is you can play it again and again and..........but nothing jumps out, or even annoys, it just is what it is. Its the Toyota Corolla of albums, but I dont want a Toyota.

I loved Jane's when they first appeared. I still believe 'Nothing's Shocking' to be one of the best rock albums ever made. It's just an eternal shame that a few months after it's release the rock phenomena (*sarcasm*) that were Guns N Roses overshadowed Jane's, who were ironically one of the bands that paved the way for the likes of GnR to even get a record deal, let alone sell any of them.

Another irony is that, other than having delivered two classic albums, the main reason Jane's were held in such high regard was their decision to quit just as they'd hit their peak, commercially at least.

I recall being at their last ever show. It was an amazing experience, one of the best rock shows I've ever attended.

That they're now back, some 13 years after the release of Ritual, does tend to suggest there's financial motivation behind the re-formation (did Eric Avery make enough money in the meantime not to want to be a part of it? Was he the one member that stuck to their principles?).

Still, an average Jane's Addiction album is far better than most rock band's defining moments, and 'Strays' is far, far better than just an average album. As I see it, the problem is that Jane's (of all people) should have changed and evolved over the past decade, 'Strays' seems more like them trying to filter the best of 'Nothing's Shocking' and 'Ritual' and blend it into a 'dummies guide' to what Jane's Addiction really are. Maybe that shows just how far ahead of their time they were 10 years ago, but also shows that they can now merely claim to be contemporary, rather than visionary.

Whilst I agree with Karkus for the most part, I would rather anyone bought this album than anything the Stereophonics might fart out every other year (their new single makes me laugh, it reminds me of The Littlest Hobo theme music!).

[kevenh]

Just supporting what's been written above really!

The 1st few times I played Strays my biggest emotion was "I must play 'Nothings Shocking' asap!"

But it is a grower, well I can at least play Strays now and enjoy it on its own merit...

[karkus30]

Originally posted by juboy

Whilst I agree with Karkus for the most part, I would rather anyone bought this album than anything the Stereophonics might fart out every other year (their new single makes me laugh, it reminds me of The Littlest Hobo theme music!).

Juboy, you can take that as a given. I actually bought a Stereophonics album once.............shudder, although they have had some good singles. Bartender and the thief and Local boy in the Photograph.

Originally posted by juboy
...............(their new single makes me laugh, it reminds me of The Littlest Hobo theme music!).

Good its not just me who picked up on that then

Not being a massive fan...has the new album got any tracks in the style of "been caught stealing", I love that track even if the lyrics are a bit cheesy the guitar work is excellent, and the music track in general

[tomson]

I enjoyed the first listening of this a lot, but the more I listened to it the more it started to grate. There are a few really good track - nothing quite as outstanding as anything they've done before - but still damn fine tracks, and still better than Porno for Pyros managed to be. Its certainly left me hankering for a play of their older stuff as its been years since i've listened to any.

As I understand it, the producer, Bob Ezrin?? made the band cut down on their excesses i.e keep the songs under 5 mins. It's a different approach, but I wanted something new. not a rehash. And as for the implication that the re-union was done for money, Perry Farrell must have made millions just off the back of Lollapalooza. I don't think the rest of the band are short of a bob or two either. Additionally the album kills off any other kind of band in their genre. One average Janes Addiction album is better than the rest of the scen can produce.

[Gambit]

I liked this but I too found it a little homogenised to begin with. I ususally like albums where it takes me a while to appreciate each song as different (Saves the Day, anyone - classic album) so I'd think I'll grow to love this.