Strays

Jane's Addiction is a throwback to when the term Alternative actually meant something in the context of music. There never has been and never will be another band like them. I'm normally wary of reunion albums, but with Perry, Dave, and Stephen, there was nothing to worry about. Sure enough, Strays is an impeccable modernization of a classic sound. The updates are subtle, the sound is tight, and the mix is superb (that may sound like an odd thing to praise, but these days it's becoming a rarity). Pretend Kettle Whistle didn't happen, and this is the perfect successor to Ritual. Heavy rockers, deep introspectives, and a view of the world through the eyes of Perry. It doesn't hurt that Dave is probably the most interesting guitarist alive. This has been a great year for music so far, and Strays is another milestone.

Hot spots; The Price I Pay, Wrong Girl, True Nature, Hypersonic.