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Zero 7
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
Strays
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 19 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 28 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Capitol
Release Date: 22 July 2003
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Alternative, Rock
Summary
A reunited Jane's Addiction (sans bassist Eric Avery) is back with their first studio recording in 13 years.
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Playlouder
It really is like they've never been away; their glee and enthusiasm can be heard coursing through every bar.
Read Full Review >Entertainment Weekly
An ambitious, exuberant effort that moves through hard-rock cave stomps into swaggering funk and loopy folk, ''Strays'' sounds like the work of a committed band intent on hanging around longer than the current Lollapalooza life span.
Read Full Review >PopMatters
Perhaps a sign of the group's growth as artists, perhaps merely a hint of the changing times, Strays is an expertly crafted rock album, noticeably lacking much of Jane's earlier alternative sensibilities.
Read Full Review >Q Magazine
This is a band consolidating their talents rather than simply showcasing them. [Aug 2003, p.108]
Uncut
Nothing too shocking, then, but their old magic surges through: you won't be disappointed. [Sep 2003, p.112]
Rolling Stone
Jane's Addiction have finally come up with music that can stand alongside their previous albums.
Read Full Review >Alternative Press
Better than anyone could have predicted. [Sep 2003, p.112]
Mojo
They sound great on it. [Aug 2003, p.90]
Filter
What was once so fresh is now a little tired. [#6, p.80]
Stylus Magazine
It's good in its own right, but perhaps you're better off listening to it in isolation from the rest of their canon. It's not quite there, but it is definitely a good record.
Read Full Review >ShakingThrough.net
Bereft of the force of ideas, the swelling of potential, it largely settles for a pleasant, high-calorie buzz of guitar heroics and sonic familiarity.
Read Full Review >Austin Chronicle
The songs rock -- and ferociously -- but that's pretty much all they do.
Read Full Review >Dot Music
New frontiers for rock aren't exactly broached, but then that was hardly the point.
Read Full Review >All Music Guide
The power of Jane's Addiction is undiminished by Strays (this is still a band creating music unlike any other artist), but the imagination, bravado, and songwriting smarts apparent from previous classics is sadly missing.
Read Full Review >The Onion (A.V. Club)
Strays masterfully re-creates the surface of Jane's Addiction's sound, but in the process neglects to capture the band's vulnerability, its many idiosyncrasies, or even the all-important sense that Farrell has much left to say.
Read Full Review >Pitchfork
Strays lacks what what made the band great in the first place: believable songs and lyrics.
Read Full Review >Blender
Too much of Strays settles for the pedestrian. [Aug 2003, p.126]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 9.2 (out of 10) based on 28 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Mike gave it a10:
This is the best album in years. Sadly without Eric, but still brilliant.
jyo_tirmaya d gave it an8:
Yeah! This album rocks real good. Perry comes up with good strong lyrics and the music is fresh and rejuvenated. Why does Perry Farrell keep wandering off to solo projects or Porno for Pyros? Just get a new bass player to replace the replaceable Eric Avery and stay with Jane's.
Joris V gave it a10:
Every -once huge- band with a comeback album will get tons of critisism thrown over them like rubbish, but those reviewers aren't listening to the songs, the music "in se" anymore. All -and I mean all- songs are kick ass songs that with amazing vocals, riffs and uplifting drums. Sorry I have to say but this is slightly better, IMHO, than Ritual de lo Habitual. Most rockbands can only dream of being capable of writing such strong songs. My favourites: The Riches, Just Because, Hypersonic and The Price I Pay... and then there's that hauntingly beautiful psychedelic bridge in True Nature. Chapeau! A 9,5
Andy gave it a 10:
I think it's generally wrong to judge a band on the basis of their previous work. So, granted, it may not be quite on the same level as Nothing's Shocking or Ritual de lo Habitual...but it's still the best rock album of the year - and better than many from other years as well. Even though it's been more than a decade since they made a CD, they've still got it.
Krunk Purplemonster gave it a 9:
Jane's is, was, and always will be a righteous band. I give it a 9 because something has to differentiate it from the stuff I've been listening to for 12 years, which are all easy 10's. This one will withstand the test of time, too, but it's only a few months old right now. Powerful songs, great riffs, amazing drums, props to cool chris on bass now, and although perry's voice has aged and the screams are lacking the ability to soar like they once did, and despite the fact that someone decided not to make perry's vocals so echoey and bouncing off of everything like they used to (bad move) - the spirit is still exactly where it was in 88. fucked-up, nuts, and like a genius, gifted child on acid. speaking of acid, the only other drawback for me was that while i'm glad they boys aren't h-addicts anymore, there's a definite lack of the original albums' "drugged-out" quality - which actually gave it an edge. still, these guys have progressed and matured and blossomed into this - and this rocks.
astridd gave it a 10:
I wasn't even going to buy this album because I didn't want to be disappointed but as soon as I listened to it in the music shop i HAD to get it. All the pple who say it isn't as good as their old stuff can get fucked. Who wants a band to keep sounding the same?? Pple who say it "lacks sublety" and the lyrics are shallow are just wankers trying to sound like they know about music when they know fuck all. The lyrics and music are as good as ever only more current for today. what more can u ask for? I'm in love with Janes!!
Sy DIEleanora gave it a 10:
This album is the only album that is out there right now, that can helped the lost and confused( the weak), and its not just me its you too,(including Janes Addiction for 13 years) and if you cant hear what they are saying, well then you dont get it. read into it, and you will find that this is one of the best albums ever created. Bob Ezrin can I boink you in the butt? If you love me dont answer that. The words are brilliant, its whatever you want it to mean, as long as it means something positive. Its time to live in the moment people. Thats what it means to me, take all your bullshit music and thoughts and put it to the side. No 14 yr old rapper or country girl can tell me what I dont already know, Im only 30. I thought that was a pretty good review Perry......You friend from Mountain Aire.
