The Great Escape Artist - Jane's Addiction
Metascore
55 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 26 Critics

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. PopMatters
    Oct 28, 2011
    30
    With Costey's 21st century modern rock production, everything on this album is blown up a dense roar that in its attempt to overwhelm with volume cannot obscure how dull the songs really are.
  2. The A.V. Club
    Oct 18, 2011
    0
    Great Escape is a bold, erratic, pathetic attempt to recontextualize Jane's for the 21st century.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.2 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. JediCheeseBoy
    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 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
    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 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
    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 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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