The Great Escape Artist
Capitol
**
There had to be a few moments where the remaining members of Jane's Addiction wondered if recording their first album in eight years was worth it.
The founding bassist Eric Avery left the band, as he reportedly didn't feel like entering the recording studio again. His replacement, Guns N' Roses Duff McKagan, didn't stick around too long either, as he was unhappy with the electronic direction the group were heading in.
But with the drummer Stephen Perkins, the trio soldiered on and hired TV on the Radio's Dave Sitek to complete the tracks; the end result is more of a wasted opportunity than a complete waste of time. You can see why McKagan headed for the exit, as most of the songs on The Great Escape Artist are underpinned by lush electronics.
Now, this would have been great if the band were wholeheartedly committed. Instead, they exhibit stage fright with Curiosity Kills and Irresistible Force sounding like scraps of great ideas but never fleshed out.
The band doesn't throw it all away, though. Underground is anchored by a dirty groove and the driving finale End to Lies is vintage-era Jane's Addiction with prog-rock elements. Let's hope the group don't take another eight years before returning, as The Great Escape Artist sounds like unfinished business.
