Review Summary: A product of greatness is greatness in itself
Grieving fans searched for something to fill the musical gap left by Jane's Addiction's initial disbandment in 1991. Determined to fill the gap, lead singer Perry Farrell and drummer Stephen Perkins reunited and formed the side project, Porno for Pyros, in 1992. While many fans rejoiced at the sudden coalition, others were skeptical towards the project's familiar sounding music, leading many to label their 1993 debut as "Jane's Addiction's third album." While it is true that much of the album does possess similar qualities as to those of Jane's Addiction, Porno for Pyros also has its own independent elements that make it unique. With the departure of Dave Navarro and Eric Avery, Farrell and Perkins saw the departure of the explosive guitars that helped define Jane's Addiction's fame. Enlisted to fill the two spots left in their wake were future Jane's Addiction bassist Martyn LeNoble and Peter DiStefano on guitar. The two added a more experimental and psychedelic feel to the band's songwriting that matched well with Farrell's signature vocal style and Perkins' jazz drumming. The album doesn't stray too far from their contemporaries but it certainly has its share of gems.
Differences in the two bands' sounds are quite noticeable in the first few tracks off the album. For one thing Farrell's vocals are a bit more languid and sheepish even on the heavier tracks. The subject matter of his lyrics are still retained from Jane's Addiction (mostly the sex) and his occasional incoherent babbling is still present. The album detonates into the ironically named
"Sadness" which, despite the name, is one of the more upbeat songs on the album. The music takes an experimental turn on the eponymous second track in which elements of funk are incorporated in LeNoble's bass playing as well as Perkins' jazz drumming. Horns, keyboards, and harmonica also make an appearance especially in the album's first highlight,
"Meija", coming together to form a pleasant progressive meld of styles. The album briefly picks up the pace in the split song
"Cursed Male"/
"Cursed Female" with the first song opening with a harmonica solo accompanied by a more metallic guitar riff. The second starts with a brisk pace and gradually picks up speed into a funky rock jam utilizing jazz flute and bongos.
The centerpiece of the album,
"Pets", is the lead single off the album, being arguably the album's high-point. The song takes a more somber approach in the vocals and guitars while mainly emphasizing Perkins' drums. The lyrics, unlike most of the album, take on a more inspirational and provocative approach in discussing humanity and thoughts of domestication and extinction. At the song's conclusion the album picks back up with the fast-paced
"Bad ***". Here the Jane's Addiction style is more present with Ferrell's vocals being more energetic alongside the driving force of the guitars and drums. More experimentation and additional instrumentation occupies the silly beat of
"Packin' .25" before fading into a devilish guitar riff.
"Black Girlfriend" follows, once again returning the direction of the album into lugubrious tone that segues into a jumpy, more upbeat style. Despite the silly subject matter the song is one of the better cuts off the album. Then another violent turn is taken with
"Blood Rag" before finally closing with the psychedelic
"Orgasm", which does an excellent job in setting the final mood before concluding the album with a trance-like echo of Ferrell's voice.
Overall
Porno for Pyros is nothing groundbreaking, but it does have its moments and they really do shine. To dismiss this album simply as Jane's Addiction's other album would be ill advised as it is so much more than that. The music, while sometimes sporadic, is very well done considering the vast amount of instrumentation being incorporated in each song. The lyrics are nothing special if not fun, but Farrell's vocal style fits well in with the other elements of rhythm and overall mood of the album. Probably the most evident component in the music is the impetus bass style which is in some way principle in every aspect of the music in each song. The style surpasses that of other alternative rock contemporaries of the time period in terms of the different styles being used such as jazz, funk, and psychedelic. Because of these different styles being used the music naturally doesn't follow a linear pattern, although this sometimes proves problematic due to the constant tone shift from a soft to fast pace or vise versa. Despite these few minor setbacks the album is both relaxing and fun, making it a good substitute for fans distraught by the break up of one of the greatest rock bands of the 80's and 90's.
Recommended Tracks:
Meija
Cursed Female
Pets
Bad ***
Black Girlfriend
