Porno For Pyros -Good God’s Urge

Jane’s Addiction was an absolute tidal wave of sound and inspiration to the budding alternative movement in the late eighties.  But that flame burned out all to soon in the early nineties.  Luckily, lead singer Perry Farrell wasn’t done with the music scene.  Immediately following the break up of Jane’s, Farrell introduced the world to Porno For Pyros and their self-titled debut in 1993.  Some might argue that their first release was Jane’s Addiction 2.0.  While that may have some validity, their follow up could be called anything but.  1996 saw the release of Good God’s Urge, a more psychedelic and Zen-like sound by Farrell and company.  Opening with the very trippy “Porpoise Head” and it’s oscillating bass, Farrell weaves a tale that sounds like seduction for brain.  By the end of this four plus minute track, you get the impression he is exploring the vibe of “Of Course” and “Classic Girl” from Ritual De Lo Habitual.  A very holistic love song driven by the acoustic guitar and trumpet, “100 Ways” is the kind of song you play when you just want to lay around the house with someone you love.  Farrell does a very smooth combination of talking and singing where you get the impression he is singing to just one person and you are eves dropping.  While most of the entire album is mellow and relaxing, “Tahitian Moon” is one of the faster paced songs.  So well put together, you can still hear this single getting radio play.  Even with it’s faster rhythm, it carries that psychedelic feel.  It’s like the verses are waves crashing and the choruses are the moments of realization, this is one of the albums high points.  A mostly acoustic song, “Kimberly Austin” gives Farrell the chance to lovingly describe this girl.  The song is so stripped down, you can easily picture Perry sitting around the studio just snapping is fingers and smiling while singing this song.  The next song is a total change of directions in “Thick Of It All.”  My personal favorite song on the album, it carries a much darker feeling.  Most of the lyrics are a repetition of the title, you feel like you are stuck in the middle of said thickness.  Not a lot of changes in pace or rhythm, just straight forward longing eeriness for nearly five minutes.  Pulling the listener out of that darkness is one of the more fun songs, “God God’s://Urge!”.  Starting off with a peaceful bass driven intro accompanied with pleading lyrics, midway the bass line segues to the driven “urge” half of the song.  It is fun to hear Farrell go from mellow to intense in the span of one song and this one might be the best example of that in his musical catalog.  If you aren’t paying attention with it’s abrupt end, you might not even notice that you have moved onto “Wishing Well.”  Back to the album’s earlier mellow sound, “Wishing Well” is highlighted by a playful clarinet accompanying the good vibrations being sent out by the “I’m wishing you well” chorus.  Feeling more like it came off the first album, “dogs rule the night” has those strange Farrell lyrics while drummer Stephen Perkins get his chance to shine on the album.  The bass even has a strange playful punk flavor.  This song is another example of how Farrell helped create the entire alternative label for music, this song is a challenge to put into words.  In what might have been the first step in the first Jane’s Addiction reunion tour, “Freeway” has Jane’s guitarist Dave Navarro and Chili Pepper bassist Flea playing on it.  Another highlight, these musicians just work incredibly well together.  All the artists get their moment, especially Flea while Farrell is singing about jealousy and love while driving thru Venice.  It leaves you craving more.  Then, like the great musical shaman he is, Farrell brings things back to a calming dream in “Bali Eyes.”  A very Earthy feel with it’s acoustic guitar and simple rhythm section, this a beautiful way to bring this meditative album to a close.  If you are a fan of any Jane’s Addiction song or maybe forgot about Porno For Pyros, take the time to enjoy this musical gem.  At almost twenty years old, the music still sounds fresh and inventive.