Now, after pulling a rock 'n' roll Rip Van Winkle, Jane's is back. The band has replaced Avery with Chris Chaney and issued Strays, its first full-length album of new material in 13 years. Say goodbye to the smack-fueled hedonism, Farrell's painstakingly crafted artwork for album covers, and a live show with all the stability of an impending train wreck. Say hello to slickly edited videos, ever-present Navarro muse Carmen Electra, and packaging with a decidedly self-congratulatory scent. Former producer Dave Jerden was justifiably given the boot, ridding the band of the tin-thin studio sonics most prevalent on Nothing's Shocking.
The problem with Strays isn't what's present but that which is so sorely missing. Strays finds Jane's Addiction awakening after a long hiatus to find the music world finally celebrating the group as something that it no longer is: innovative. So with Strays, the group once again fails to complete its mission.