Strays
Encyclopedia
Strays is the third studio album by American alternative rock
band Jane's Addiction
, released on July 22, 2003 on Capitol Records
, and the first album to be recorded by a reunited Jane's Addiction. Released 13 years after Ritual de lo Habitual
(1990), the album marks the band's longest gap between studio albums, and is the first to feature bassist Chris Chaney
. Regarding the decision to record a new studio album after 13 years, drummer Stephen Perkins
stated that the band had already completed two reunion tours performing old material, and that Jane's was ready for "a new challenge." Vocalist Perry Farrell
states that the band "went into the studio thinking fast, hard, modern and to the point."
Upon its first week of release, the album sold 110,500 copies in the United States and is currently certified Gold. In the UK, the album is certified Silver, having sold over 60,000 copies. The single, "Just Because", was nominated for a Grammy Award
in 2004.
"it all started around March or April 2002 with Bob Ezrin
producing a Porno for Pyros
track for the movie Dark Blue, an incredible song called "Streets of Fire" which was just epic. That segued into the Strays project."
The band entered Henson Recording Studio in 2002, with producers Bob Ezrin and Brian Virtue. Speaking of Ezrin, Farrell noted that: "he raise[d] the bar for all of us. It's like training for the Olympics - something you're aspiring towards in creating art. You're trying to make the most beautiful music, you try to break new ground creating sound that no one's ever heard before. When working with Bob; doing that becomes a very real possibility."
Bassist Martyn LeNoble
, was fired half-way through the recording. LeNoble states that he:
LeNoble was replaced by Chris Chaney
, whom Dave Navarro
described as "perhaps the most intense musician I've ever worked with." Regarding his arrival in the band, Chaney noted that:
score of 75, based on 19 reviews. Playlouder
noted that "their glee and enthusiasm can be heard coursing through every bar.", while NME
claimed that Strays was "one of the best rock albums of 2003." and Alternative Press stated that the album was "better than anyone could have predicted."
While still giving the album a positive review, Stylus Magazine
notes that the album is "good in its own right, but perhaps you're better off listening to it in isolation from the rest of their canon." and Pitchfork Media
claims that "Strays lacks what made the band great in the first place: believable songs and lyrics."
In 2009, Navarro stated that he "really liked [Strays]. I had a great time working with Bob Ezrin, who produced it. That’s what makes doing stuff like this really amazing for me." In 2011, Perkins stated that the album was "an interesting point in our sound."
releases that were test marketed in two cities: Boston and Seattle. The DualDisc version of the album was not reissued after the test market run. It has the standard album on one side, and bonus material on the second side.
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction is an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1985. The band's original line-up featured Perry Farrell , Dave Navarro , Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins . After breaking up in 1991, Jane's Addiction briefly reunited in 1997 and again in 2001, both times...
, released on July 22, 2003 on Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
, and the first album to be recorded by a reunited Jane's Addiction. Released 13 years after Ritual de lo Habitual
Ritual de lo Habitual
Ritual de lo habitual is the second studio album by Jane's Addiction, released on August 21, 1990 on Warner Brothers. Co-produced by Dave Jerden, it was the band's final studio album before their initial break-up in 1991...
(1990), the album marks the band's longest gap between studio albums, and is the first to feature bassist Chris Chaney
Chris Chaney
Chris Chaney is a rock bass player who has performed with artists including Jane's Addiction, Alanis Morissette, Slash, and many others. He was the bass player in the third incarnation of Jane's Addiction and a member of Morissette's touring and recording band for seven years...
. Regarding the decision to record a new studio album after 13 years, drummer Stephen Perkins
Stephen Perkins
Stephen Andrew Perkins is an American musician and songwriter. A drummer and percussionist, he currently plays with Jane's Addiction and Hellflower....
stated that the band had already completed two reunion tours performing old material, and that Jane's was ready for "a new challenge." Vocalist Perry Farrell
Perry Farrell
Perry Farrell is the frontman for the alternative rock band Jane's Addiction. Farrell created the touring festival Lollapalooza as a farewell tour for Jane's Addiction in 1991; it has since evolved into an annual destination festival. Farrell continues to produce Lollapalooza with partners William...
states that the band "went into the studio thinking fast, hard, modern and to the point."
Upon its first week of release, the album sold 110,500 copies in the United States and is currently certified Gold. In the UK, the album is certified Silver, having sold over 60,000 copies. The single, "Just Because", was nominated for a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
in 2004.
Background and recording
According to drummer Stephen PerkinsStephen Perkins
Stephen Andrew Perkins is an American musician and songwriter. A drummer and percussionist, he currently plays with Jane's Addiction and Hellflower....
"it all started around March or April 2002 with Bob Ezrin
Bob Ezrin
Robert Alan "Bob" Ezrin is a Canadian music producer and keyboardist, known for his work with artists including Alice Cooper, Kiss and Pink Floyd. He was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2004.-Biography:...
producing a Porno for Pyros
Porno for Pyros
Porno for Pyros was an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1992, following the initial break-up of Jane's Addiction...
track for the movie Dark Blue, an incredible song called "Streets of Fire" which was just epic. That segued into the Strays project."
The band entered Henson Recording Studio in 2002, with producers Bob Ezrin and Brian Virtue. Speaking of Ezrin, Farrell noted that: "he raise[d] the bar for all of us. It's like training for the Olympics - something you're aspiring towards in creating art. You're trying to make the most beautiful music, you try to break new ground creating sound that no one's ever heard before. When working with Bob; doing that becomes a very real possibility."
Bassist Martyn LeNoble
Martyn LeNoble
Martyn LeNoble is a Dutch bassist and founding member of Porno for Pyros.LeNoble started his musical career by playing bass in a Dutch punk rock band when he was 14. In 1989, he moved to Los Angeles and played with the likes of Thelonious Monster and The Too Free Stooges...
, was fired half-way through the recording. LeNoble states that he:
recorded pretty much the whole Strays record. And Perry erased it. He suddenly fired me on the spot in JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
when we still had a whole flight back to the US. That's the last time I talked to him. Perry and Bob (Ezrin) replaced all my bass parts on Strays. Perry was saying everything I played sounded like shit, but then they had the new guy pretty much play exactly my parts, maybe a couple of little changes, so I guess they couldn't have been that shitty.
LeNoble was replaced by Chris Chaney
Chris Chaney
Chris Chaney is a rock bass player who has performed with artists including Jane's Addiction, Alanis Morissette, Slash, and many others. He was the bass player in the third incarnation of Jane's Addiction and a member of Morissette's touring and recording band for seven years...
, whom Dave Navarro
Dave Navarro
David Michael "Dave" Navarro is an American guitarist who plays in the alternative rock band Jane's Addiction and cover band Camp Freddy. He has also played with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Panic Channel, and many others.- Early life :...
described as "perhaps the most intense musician I've ever worked with." Regarding his arrival in the band, Chaney noted that:
Dave and Stephen have been playing together since they were 13 years old, they have quite a synergy or chemistry and for me as a bass player to be able to come into that is really remarkable, it gives me a great opportunity to shine. I did a record with Tommy LeeTommy LeeThomas Lee Bass , best known as Tommy Lee, is an American musician and founding member of glam metal band Mötley Crüe. As well as being the band's long-term drummer, Lee founded rap-metal band Methods of Mayhem, and has pursued solo musical projects...
and we needed a drummer to go tour with and what better drummer than Stephen Perkins. I was only able to do it for about six weeks because I was playing with Alanis MorissetteAlanis MorissetteAlanis Nadine Morissette is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter, guitarist, record producer, and actress. She has won 16 Juno Awards and seven Grammy Awards, was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and also shortlisted for an Academy Award nomination...
and I had to go back to that, but in that short time, Stephen and I had a great relationship and last August he called me and asked me to do some shows.
Reception
The album received generally positive reviews, with a MetacriticMetacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
score of 75, based on 19 reviews. Playlouder
PlayLouder
Playlouder is a digital music and media company. It is a music site which provides news, reviews, and other related content. It also claims to be the world's first Music Service Provider or MSP — a broadband, Internet Service Provider that bundles access to music content with broadband...
noted that "their glee and enthusiasm can be heard coursing through every bar.", while NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
claimed that Strays was "one of the best rock albums of 2003." and Alternative Press stated that the album was "better than anyone could have predicted."
While still giving the album a positive review, Stylus Magazine
Stylus Magazine
Stylus Magazine was an online music and film magazine launched in 2002. It featured long-form music journalism, four daily music reviews, movie reviews, a number of different podcasts, an MP3 blog, and a text blog....
notes that the album is "good in its own right, but perhaps you're better off listening to it in isolation from the rest of their canon." and Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
claims that "Strays lacks what made the band great in the first place: believable songs and lyrics."
In 2009, Navarro stated that he "really liked [Strays]. I had a great time working with Bob Ezrin, who produced it. That’s what makes doing stuff like this really amazing for me." In 2011, Perkins stated that the album was "an interesting point in our sound."
DualDisc version
This album was included among a group of 15 DualDiscDualDisc
DualDisc was a type of double-sided optical disc product developed by a group of record companies including EMI Music, Universal Music Group, Sony/BMG Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, and 5.1 Entertainment Group and later under the aegis of the Recording Industry Association of America...
releases that were test marketed in two cities: Boston and Seattle. The DualDisc version of the album was not reissued after the test market run. It has the standard album on one side, and bonus material on the second side.
Track listing
- Songs by Farrell/Navarro/Perkins/Ezrin/Chaney unless otherwise noted.
- "True Nature" – 3:49 (Perry Farrell/Dave Navarro/Stephen Perkins/Bob Ezrin/Martyn LeNoble)
- "Strays" – 4:32 (Farrell/Navarro/Perkins/Ezrin/Aaron Embry/David J)
- "Just Because" – 3:51
- "Price I Pay" – 5:27
- "The Riches" – 5:44 (Farrell/Navarro/Perkins/Ezrin/Embry/LeNoble)
- "Superhero" – 3:58 (Farrell/Navarro/Perkins/Ezrin/Embry)
- "Wrong Girl" – 4:32
- "Everybody's Friend" – 3:18 (Farrell/Navarro/Perkins/Ezrin)
- "Suffer Some" – 4:14 (Farrell/Navarro/Perkins/LeNoble/Ezrin)
- "Hypersonic" – 3:32 (Farrell/Navarro/Perkins/Ezrin/LeNoble)
- "To Match the Sun" – 5:25 (Farrell/Navarro/Perkins/Ezrin/LeNoble)
Personnel
- Perry FarrellPerry FarrellPerry Farrell is the frontman for the alternative rock band Jane's Addiction. Farrell created the touring festival Lollapalooza as a farewell tour for Jane's Addiction in 1991; it has since evolved into an annual destination festival. Farrell continues to produce Lollapalooza with partners William...
– lead vocals, programming - Dave NavarroDave NavarroDavid Michael "Dave" Navarro is an American guitarist who plays in the alternative rock band Jane's Addiction and cover band Camp Freddy. He has also played with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Panic Channel, and many others.- Early life :...
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal... - Stephen PerkinsStephen PerkinsStephen Andrew Perkins is an American musician and songwriter. A drummer and percussionist, he currently plays with Jane's Addiction and Hellflower....
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration... - Chris ChaneyChris ChaneyChris Chaney is a rock bass player who has performed with artists including Jane's Addiction, Alanis Morissette, Slash, and many others. He was the bass player in the third incarnation of Jane's Addiction and a member of Morissette's touring and recording band for seven years...
– bass - Bob EzrinBob EzrinRobert Alan "Bob" Ezrin is a Canadian music producer and keyboardist, known for his work with artists including Alice Cooper, Kiss and Pink Floyd. He was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2004.-Biography:...
– producer, mixing, additional keyboards, percussion, orchestral arrangements - Brian Virtue – producer, engineer, mixing, programming
- James Murray – additional engineering
- Alex GibsonAlex Gibson (music producer)Alex Gibson is an American record producer, engineer, mixer, and composer. He resides in Los Angeles, California.-Biography:...
– additional engineering - Brian Humphrey – assistant engineer
- Alex Uychocde – assistant engineer
- Aaron EmbryAaron EmbryAaron Embry is an American songwriter and record producer. He is the firstborn son of screenwriter / talent manager Karen Embry and dental technician H. Charles Randall. He is the eldest brother of actor Ethan Embry and photographer Kessia Embry...
– keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, kalimba - Zack Ray – keyboards
- Joe Bishara – programming
- Scott Page – saxophoneSaxophoneThe saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
s - John ShanksJohn ShanksJohn Matthew Shanks is a modern rock writer and Grammy Award–winning producer.Born in New York City, Shanks moved to Los Angeles when he was 17....
– mandolinMandolinA mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single... - Mike Finnegan – organOrgan (music)The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
- Brenden Hawkins – additional programming
- James Murray – additional programming
- Kim HillKim HillKim Hill is a Contemporary Christian Music singer. Aside from her career as a solo artist, Hill has also sung background vocals on projects by artists like Rich Mullins and others...
– backing vocals - Dionna Brooks-Jackson – backing vocals
- Leanna Sterios – orchestral arrangements
- Brian GardnerBrian GardnerBrian Gardner, also known as Brian "Big Bass" Gardner is a mastering engineer. He has worked on countless recordings since the mid-1960s, including classic rock, funk, disco, alternative rock, R&B, hip hop, pop punk, and dance pop. He is perhaps best known for his work on hip hop albums and in...
– mastering
Album
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Billboard Top 200 | 4 |
| Top Internet Albums | 4 | |
| Top Canadian Albums | 4 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | "Just Because" | Billboard Hot 100 | 72 |
| Modern Rock Tracks | 1 | ||
| Mainstream Rock Tracks | 4 | ||
| Triple J Hottest 100 | 36 | ||
| "True Nature" | Modern Rock Tracks | 30 | |
| Mainstream Rock Tracks | 35 |
Selected quotes
- Perry Farrell: Working with Bob Ezrin on Strays meant a lot because I knew that Dave loved Pink FloydPink FloydPink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
's The WallThe WallThe Wall is the eleventh studio album by English progressive rock group Pink Floyd. Released as a double album on 30 November 1979, it was subsequently performed live with elaborate theatrical effects, and adapted into a feature film, Pink Floyd—The Wall.As with the band's previous three...
, which Ezrin produced. Dave learned The Wall (as a kid). He can play the whole album note for note. I knew he'd instantly have a lot of respect for him.
- Bob Ezrin: My job on Strays was to bring a sort of commonality to the process and make everyone think it was a group effort again and not just a bunch of solo projects trying to be strung together.
- Martyn LeNoble: Bob Ezrin didn't really understand Jane's Addiction musically. I remember arguing with him, "Like man, have you listened to Ritual?" He goes, "Frankly, I can't get through it. I think it sounds horrible. I'm going to make this a real rock band instead of an art rock band." Well, he succeeded. He took all the magic out of it. He made a rock record. The most magical moments on the Jane's Addiction records are the quiet little adventures to the left, and, of course Eric's magic bass. Eric AveryEric AveryEric Adam Avery is an American musician and is the former bass player for the rock band Jane's Addiction. Avery played in Jane's Addiction initially from 1985 to 1991, and rejoined the band in 2008 before departing again in 2010....
is the man.
In pop culture
- The song "Just Because" was used in the film S.W.A.T.S.W.A.T. (film)S.W.A.T. is a 2003 action-crime film directed by Clark Johnson, and is based on the 1975 television series of the same name. It stars Samuel L. Jackson, Colin Farrell, LL Cool J and Michelle Rodriguez. It was produced by Neal H...
- The song "Suffer Some" was used on the soundtrack for the video game Tony Hawk's UndergroundTony Hawk's UndergroundTony Hawk's Underground, abbreviated to THUG, is a skateboarding video game, available for the PlayStation 2, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, and Xbox platforms released in 2003. A PC version was released exclusively in Australia as a budget release in 2005. This version was ported by Beenox. In 2004,...
. - The song "Superhero" is used as the main theme of the HBO series EntourageEntourage (TV series)Entourage is an American comedy-drama television series that premiered on HBO on July 18, 2004 and concluded on September 11, 2011, after eight seasons...
. - The song "True Nature" was used on the soundtrack for the video game MLB 2005.
External links
- janesaddiction.com
- Strays at DiscogsDiscogsDiscogs, short for discographies, is a website and database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. The Discogs servers, currently hosted under the domain name discogs.com, are owned by Zink Media, Inc., and are...