Summary:The alternative rock group returns with its first album since 2003's Strays, with Dave Sitek joining the three original members on the Rich Costey-produced release.
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Record Label:Capitol
Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative Metal, Heavy Metal, Dance-Rock, College Rock
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.
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.
Where are the very positive reviews from USA Today, NME, MOJO, All Music Guide and Billboard? It's a pretty solid album. It's a new sound butWhere are the very positive reviews from USA Today, NME, MOJO, All Music Guide and Billboard? It's a pretty solid album. It's a new sound but it's genuine and has great atmosphere. Reminds me of when The Smashing Pumpkins released Adore.…Expand
This album follows the "All killer no filler" motto. I can listen to this album straight through with no skipping tracks. Perry's voice soundsThis album follows the "All killer no filler" motto. I can listen to this album straight through with no skipping tracks. Perry's voice sounds stellar and has not gotten worse with age and his lyrics and melodies are very dominant on this album. Dave Navarro lays down the guitar and shines especially in "Underground" and "End to the Lies". His performance is great. Perkins always steps it up another level with the drumming and it is no exception on this album. The technology used on this record makes it modern and bring Jane's Addiction towards the future.…Expand
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.…Expand
I have been a fan of Jane's for a few years. They got me through my last years of college. Rituio and Nothin's Shocking are absoluteI have been a fan of Jane's for a few years. They got me through my last years of college. Rituio and Nothin's Shocking are absolute masterpieces. Strays has it's own place. There were some great songs on that album, but the album did not feel like a complete thought. TGEA on the other hand is patient, melodic, sleazy, at times harsh and has a great flow from start to finish. The song structure may not be as daring as they were in the past, but the band members have been saying that they are not trying to recapture their sound. Instead they were aiming to make something entirely new and I think they succeeded. I hope you enjoy this album as much as I do.…Collapse
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 !!!…Expand
I've never been an enormous Jane's fan but I've always liked them. I was looking forward to this album particurlaly because I didn't knowI've never been an enormous Jane's fan but I've always liked them. I was looking forward to this album particurlaly because I didn't know which direction they would move in. I thought that the album came out strong with underground and the overall tone of the album was solid and interesting. I definitely liked a some of the other songs but if I was making a Jane's playlist nothing after Underground would have made it. I must tip my cap to the live disk, great treat.…Expand
This is a perfectly serviceable Jane's Addiction record.
Acknowledging new Jane's could never meet the level of "Nothing's Shocking" (orThis is a perfectly serviceable Jane's Addiction record.
Acknowledging new Jane's could never meet the level of "Nothing's Shocking" (or could it??) and setting the expectation bar low, (seriously, did you ever watch "Married To Rock"?), I'd say the failure of this record is that it lacks a "oh, damn! I gotta crank this up!" moment. Nothing to be ashamed of I suppose. But is will soon fade in memory.…Expand
