Jane's Addiction - 'Strays' (Capitol)
4/5
By: Toby L
Open shirts, anyone?
Oh no, you simply can't ignore a return from Jane's Addiction. The questionable wardrobes, the ringing air of campness. Oh, and a deluge of hammering, jazzy-rock fuelled heists, and a whine from frontman Perry Farrell that still extends beyond all eras as a timeless, warbling asset in itself.
You'd have trouble believing it too, but after all the drug-problems (yes, ironic with a name such as theirs, we know...), inter-band changes of direction and long gaps of inactivity, 'Strays' forms the basis of Farrell, Navarro and co's most engaging, rounded record for a considerable spell.
Employing the tricks of their honed trade, 'Strays' spans the sassy, sketchy rock 'n' roll grooves and pouts that defined ebullient live-performances and classic-work of the past ('Suffer Some', for instance, complete with a perplexing, gospel-esque break-down), whilst adding a sheen and refined edge that allows the diligent four-piece to commence battle with the contemporaries (recent top-20 single, 'Just Because').
And, thus, it's this remaining true to their primary, most-renowned tact that results in such a robust and embracing collection of somersaulting, engrossing and well-crafted, sheer compositions. From a melancholy, dwindling 'Price I Pay', with its eventual lock-you-in bass-growl, and the upward-escalating monument of 'Superhero', through to the joyous 'Wrong Girl', all serve as paramount, intoxicating - yet, simultaneously, challenging - examples of alt-ramblings executed and pieced together to their most vivid, melodic and grabbing effect.
Jane's Addiction in the 00's. Not quite as fearsome a prospect as some had anticipated. Rewardingly for all.
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