janes addiction - strays
what has happened to rock ?
it has shaken off its miserablism of late and become a revitalising beast of blood rushes and euphoric highs, what with queens of the stoneage, audioslave and zwan all making albums well worthy of multiple listening. i cant remember a time when i have enjoyed so many high profile rock albums made by bands that have hardly touched my life before.
and, considering that this album has been made by a bunch of previously labelled has beens, who haven't released an album under the janes addiction moniker in over a decade this is very impressive.
the original band members (bar one - the bass player has been replaced by chris chaney) have returned full of melodic intent, showing the current bands with their guitars just how to make a dynamic noisy/tuneful/funky alt.rock album in 2003. the sound is huge and epic without ever becoming overblown pompous, hardly surprising considering bob ezrin was brought into to finely hone the modern sounds. this is not a album of revivalism, they have used all the new modern tricks to their maximum effect.
i never got the band first time round so i cannot say is this is better/worse than their established classic ritual de lo habitual. what i do know is that i agree with the hype that has surrounded the release of this. the sheer quality of the songs and the instrumentation matched against perry farrels unique vocals (which are on top form throughout).
so, 46 minutes of high energy driven funky rock music. sounds simple doesn't it? if only other bands could get the required components in such quantities then mainstream radio would be a far more interesting device in the corner/car.
all in all excellent album from start to finish.
put down that worn chilli peppers album and give this a spin.
you wont regret it.