Janeâs Addiction has been called many things â alternative rock, art-metal, essential 90s music, and just plain weird â but theyâve never been generic. With their new album of atmospheric alt-rock, entitled The Great Escape Artist , Janeâs Addiction proves that the group can musically evolve without losing its distinct identity. The biggest part of Janeâs Addictionâs signature sound has always been the diverse, high-pitched, and somewhat nasal vocals of lead singer Perry Farrell. Farrell manages to retain his classic sound on songs like âEnd to the Liesâ and âWords Right out of My Mouthâ while displaying significant range and growth on âUltimate Reasonâ and the ballad âBroken People.â The vocals arenât the only part of Janeâs Addiction that have a distinguished flavor, though. Guitarist Dave Navarro is known for his unique style, which seamlessly blends and transitions between heavy and atmospheric. Navarroâs playing on The Great Escape Artist has an apparent Pink Floyd influence, especially on lead single âIrresistible Force,â where he plays a melodic, David Gilmour-like solo and more understated parts on verses and choruses. Perhaps the biggest obstacle for Janeâs on this record has been the rhythm section. Founding member and bassist Eric Avery left the band in early 2010 and was replaced for several months by former Guns Nâ Roses and Velvet Revolver bassist Duff McKagan, who toured with the group and assisted in the writing process. Upon McKaganâs departure, TV on the Radio bassist Dave Sitek was recruited and wound up splitting bass duties with Navarro and additional bassist Chris Chaney. Throughout this quagmire of bassists coming and going, the constant in the rhythm section has been long-time drummer Stephen Perkins. While the rhythm section on The Great Escape Artist doesnât necessarily stand out much, it does provide significant backing, especially on âIrresistible Force.â The one drawback on The Great Escape Artist is that several of the songs, especially in the middle of the album, start to run together. âIâll Hit You Backâ and âTwisted Talesâ seem like filler, and âSplash a Little Water on Itâ is needlessly the longest song on the album, clocking in at 5:14 (gone are the days of longer Janeâs songs like âThree Daysâ and the classic âTed, Just Admit Itâ). While the atmospheres and diversity of The Great Escape Artist show significant evolution in the history of Janeâs Addiction, it simply canât compare to albums like Nothingâs Shocking and Ritual De Lo Habitual , which are not only great albums in the history of Janeâs Addiction but the history of alternative rock. While this wonât necessarily be an instant classic, it is a must-hear for fans of alternative music. Overall rating: 7/10