Jane’s Addiction–Live In NYC’ CD/DVD (Out Now via Capitol / UMC)
Jane’s Addiction’s 2011 album ‘The Great Escape Artist’ was the band’s first in eight years, and the alt-rockers celebrated with a free show at New York’s Terminal 5 in the winter of 2012. One of the highlights of the The Great Escape Artist tour which lasted two years. During that time lead singer, Perry Farrell told Rolling Stone that he wants Jane’s to release more new music. “What I have not seen before is a group that’s done a record, had somewhat of a theme – escapism – and then done a second record almost as if it was a follow-up movie. I want to do that,” he says. “We have material left from ‘The Great Escape Artist’ we didn’t record. I’m very inspired to keep with the theme. Something’s feeling right about it.” A live album and dvd it seems may only be the start of bigger things WithGuitars hopes.
‘Live In NYC’ was filmed in New York City at Terminal 5 on December 29th, 2012 during a special run of North American shows—called “Theatre of the Escapists”- with the band performing in intimate venues, most of which are classic theatres. The alternative rock pioneers–frontman Perry Farrell, guitarist Dave Navarro and drummer Stephen Perkins, along with Chris Chaney on bass serve up a treat. The concert being described in certain corners as an “immersive theatrical experience…” which for a broadsheet is really pushing the boat out!
‘Live in NYC’ captures the 2012 show the CD and DVD pack documents all well in high definition, one of those nights, that you ‘could dine out on’ for years, the only negative I can come up with us that i feel slightly gutted, ‘I wasn’t there’ kinda thing, more than cancelled by the fact that the set list just glows. Little else to offer, more than ‘wow!’. The extended live version of ‘Been Caught Stealing’ or the sheer emotion put into ‘Irresistible Force (Meet The Immovable Object)’ the fresh track is charged full of power and works very well; as does the performances of hits like ‘Just Because’, ‘Ocean Size’ and the sublime sing-a-long ‘Stop!’, with of course, the anthem that is ‘Jane Says’, entitled here as ‘Jane Says 14 – River Of Hope – Live From The Soviet Embassy / 1998’ which like most times of encountered that song, just shines, serviced here on ‘Live In NYC’ the song is fairly unbloated amicable opus. It all came together seamlessly well it seems, from of course the LA band, but the set, lights, lasers and girls which all looked and ion some cases acted the part with added punch and atmosphere from the musical soundtrack.
If you were trying to find out why alternative rock is still valued so highly, listen and / or watch this concert, it’s a king-sized clue that virtually answers any puzzled look. As live album and dvd goes this is just ace. Jane’s Addiction are on good form which, makes the world somehow a better place. 9/10
Steve Janes