The Great Escape Artist
by Jane's Addiction
  • Record Label: Capitol
  • Release Date: Oct 18, 2011
Metascore
55

Mixed or average reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 26
  3. Negative: 2 out of 26
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  1. Q Magazine
    Dec 15, 2011
    60
    Imagination and maturity abound, energy less so, although it bodes well for the next album. [Dec. 2001 p. 127]
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  2. The New York Times
    Oct 24, 2011
    60
    The sound is brand-name familiar but all too settled; the songs place their hard-rock hooks neatly but without the original band's startling ups and downs.
  3. Consequence
    Oct 19, 2011
    60
    The classic Jane's rough edges have been smoothed out and coated in electronic confections, but there is a darker, grinding groove beneath that sonic sheen.
  5. Uncut
    Oct 18, 2011
    60
    Too much of this lacks the urgent life of previous outings. [Nov 2011, p.89]
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  6. Boston Globe
    Oct 18, 2011
    60
    The Great Escape Artist does not dampen Jane's Addiction's legacy, but doesn't advance it either.
  7. The Observer (UK)
    Oct 17, 2011
    60
    There's nothing here to match the wildly brilliant ambition of their late-80s/early-90s peak, but "Underground" packs a hefty punch, while frenetic closer "Words Right Out of My Mouth" sounds like an ornithophobic Stooges.
  8. Drowned In Sound
    Oct 14, 2011
    60
    This is a somewhat underwhelming effort, once again pushing any idea of recapturing that lost magic even further towards the back of their cabinet of curiosities.
  9. Spin
    Oct 13, 2011
    60
    For their previous temporary-reunion album, 2003's Strays, these dark alt gods created a superslick din seemingly designed for radio, but definitely not your heart.
  10. The Boston Phoenix
    Oct 25, 2011
    50
    This is a mixed bag.
  11. Los Angeles Times
    Oct 18, 2011
    50
    While the interplay remains incendiary, the textures freshly incandescent, there isn't much in the way of memorable choruses or hooks.
  12. Rolling Stone
    Oct 18, 2011
    50
    Perry Farrell strives for a Radiohead vibe that leaves guitarist Dave Navarro confused (though he gets his on "Words Right Out of Mouth").
  13. Pitchfork
    Oct 17, 2011
    50
    The Great Escape Artist's intricate, heavily lacquered production--courtesy of Muse-man Rich Costey--has the effect of making Jane's Addiction sound like an anonymous assemblage of oversaturated recording tracks.
  14. Slant Magazine
    Oct 17, 2011
    50
    The overwhelming impression given by The Great Escape Artist is that they never actually tried.
  15. BBC Music
    Oct 14, 2011
    50
    Perfectly serviceable, but this band missed their chance to make a third great album decades ago.
  16. Under The Radar
    Nov 3, 2011
    40
    The Great Escape rarely moves past generic dance-floor thump and sway. [Oct 2011, p.100]
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  17. NOW Magazine
    Oct 27, 2011
    40
    Sadly, Jane's Addiction lost the fire ages ago and are now sleepwalking through the ashes.
  18. musicOMH.com
    Oct 17, 2011
    40
    The Great Escape Artist is the least cohesive of all Jane's Addiction's albums.
  19. The Independent (UK)
    Oct 14, 2011
    40
    They may talk it up as a brave new step forward, but their first album in over eight years can't really be viewed as other than a retrograde move for Jane's Addiction.
  20. Clash Music
    Oct 13, 2011
    40
    The Great Escape Artist is one-paced, bloodless, and frequently blighted by Dave Navarro's ersatz Edge-isms.

Awards & Rankings

99
#99 Most Discussed Album of 2011

User Reviews

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User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 21
  3. Negative: 2 out of 21
  1. JediCheeseBoy
    Oct 27, 2011
    9
    Let's start with what this isn't. It's not Nothing Shocking, it's not Ritual de lo Habitual, It's not Strays. If you want to listen to aLet's start with what this isn't. It's not Nothing Shocking, it's not Ritual de lo Habitual, It's not Strays. If you want to listen to a Jane's album like those then listen to those albums. It's also not Jane's best album, in fact it probably their fourth best studio album after those mentioned above. So what is it? This is definitely a Jane's Addiction album, it is different to what has gone before, an evolution and an experiment in a slightly new more mellow direction but clearly identifiable as Jane's Addiction. Perry, Dave and Steve are still creating unique, interesting and moving music that is better than almost everything else out there.… Full Review »
  2. jyo_tirmaya
    Jul 13, 2012
    7
    For die-hard fans only -- of which I am one. I saw Jane's Addiction after smoking a joint with some friends back in November, 1988 whenFor die-hard fans only -- of which I am one. I saw Jane's Addiction after smoking a joint with some friends back in November, 1988 when Nothing's Shocking came out. We paid $3 per ticket! They scared me at first (paranoid reaction to how Perry was garbed in "dressed-to-KILL" garb), and the show was a raw punk rock performance with mohawks slam dancing and crowd surfing galore. How can I turn my back on a group like that. And then when "Ritual..." came out - WOW - what a hard-soft core alternative album. This album satiates my desire for a new Jane's album and I like it very much. I hear the critics and I agree with most of them that this is not their best work, but hey, they're like in their 50s now so give them a break... Just love Jane's Addiction and the culture and the philosophy behind it all !!!… Full Review »
  3. Suplexmachine
    Jun 25, 2012
    10
    Metacritic won't include positive reviews by NME, or other publications like USA Today, so I've decide to help balance out the playing fieldMetacritic won't include positive reviews by NME, or other publications like USA Today, so I've decide to help balance out the playing field for those of you who base your music listening decisions off...of all things...review scores (yuck). The Great Escape Artist is Jane's for the modern day. They're older, wiser, richer, less adventurous, and happy. This happens in life once you succeed. Because of this, their music is not as dangerous or erratic as it once was. However, it is still layered with superb instrumentals and vocals that easily get the job done. It took me until my fourth spin of the album until it clicked, and now I love it. The only song I don't enjoy is "Word Right Out of My Mouth" simply because it is generic and boring; unlike Jane's. Strong cuts include "Underground" which sounds like it's straight out of their 1990 back catalog, "Irresistible Force" which is the most melodic and beautiful track on the album, and "Twisted Tales" as the 2011 Jane's anthem for the kids. Eric Avery may be gone, but Navarro took over handling most musical writing and has emerged victorious. This is exactly how I imagined Jane's of 2011 would be, and certainly not bad for a 52 year-old Perry Farrell.… Full Review »
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