Perry Farrell puts out best work in 15 years
By Mark Fisher
For the Times West Virginian
Perry Farrell has come along way since the initial release of the first Jane’s addiction album. The mix of drugs, confusion, and rock ’n’ roll that dominated his persona during Jane’s Addiction early days is long gone, replaced now by a peaceful, often serene, man that has never quite found a way to musically identify with his new life.
Post Jane’s Addiction, Farrell started out strong fronting Porno for Pyros but after two albums they disbanded as well, leading to a short string of solo albums which include the entirely underrated electronic masterpiece “Song Yet to Be Sung.” A failed Jane’s Addiction reunion tour and album followed, leaving the uniquely voiced frontman high and dry — until now.
Farrell has tried hard to find his voice in the last few years but he’s never seemed to quite recapture the magic in most fans’ opinions. Suffice it to say, Perry Farrell’s “Satellite Party,” is easily the best thing he’s done since Jane’s Addiction sophomore album. For the first time in a long, long time, Farrell offers an album that sounds like he believes in it, as well as something longtime fans can dig into.
Boasting a host of band members and guests, the likes of which include Red Hot Chili Pepper’s John Frusciante and Flea, Farrell’s wife Etty Lau, and former Extreme guitarist Nuno Bettencourt, the Party is an uplifting ride full of spiritual imagery and oddities set to a story about The Solutionists, a group that believes they can/will save the world through the power of music.
This album seems to mainly pull from the electronic, world, and new wave genres, in addition to the expected rock edge Farrell is known for and Bettencourt’s flawless funk guitar (it’s been way too long since this man had a high profile release). Although Bettencourt seems to dislike the association with his former band, the musical comparisons here are too hard to ignore. Extreme could have easily ended up similar to this.
The album’s first single, “Wish Upon a Dog Star” opens the album in a pseudo new wave fit of psychedelic melody. You can’t help but sing along to this song, even if it is cheesy at times. The Party really gets rolling with the poppy goodness of “Only Love, Let’s Celebrate,” an anthem the likes of which could make even Earth, Wind, and Fire smile. The album stumbles a bit through “Hard Life Easy” and “Kinky,” two very forgettable songs that almost cause you to turn your attention elsewhere. “The Solutionists” returns intrigue to the album and “Awesome” proves itself to be the pinnacle of the Party. “Awesome” is a powerful acoustic ballad with a full on string section, sung by Farrell and his wife, that reminds me a lot of the better moments of balladry on Smashing Pumpkin’s “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” albums. “Insanity Rains” is also a highlight, despite the fact that it sticks out like a sore thumb. The song rocks like nobody’s business, sounding like a cast away from the “Nothing’s Shocking” album. If the Jane’s Addiction reunion would have sounded like “Insanity Rains,” fans would have returned to them in droves.
All in all this is easily Farrell’s best work of the last 15 years. It’s a little more commercial than you are expecting but once you get used to that you find a lot of interesting sounds to mull over. Farrell and Bettencourt are a great match (despite the fact that it’s hard to imagine them working together when you see it on paper) and executive producer Steve Lillywhite (U2) apparently recognized it right away, allowing us all to benefit from hearing Farrell find a purpose again.
Fans looking for something accessible but fresh sounding should give this one a chance. Also those looking for something that isn’t afraid to sound exotic or experimental without losing its identity should look no further. Perry Farrell’s “Satellite Party’s Ultra-Payloaded” is available everywhere now.
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