Jane's Addiction [ tickets ] frontman Perry Farrell and guitarist Dave Navarro are the Keith and Mick, the Paul and John, the Robert and Jimmy of alt-rock.

And, yeah, like those pairings, Farrell's and Navarro's solo works are worthwhile, but the sum of the two artists' music equals much more than the individual parts.

On "Strays"--Jane's Addiction's first collection of all-new tracks since 1990's "Ritual de lo Habitual"--Farrell's ethereal, multi-layered vocals and Navarro's shredding licks and scorching solos (remember guitar solos, kids?) wrap themselves around each other like long lost lovers, and ride atop the thunderous foundation laid by inimitable drummer Stephen Perkins and new bassist Chris Chaney.

The moment Farrell shouts "Here we go!" at the beginning of lead-off track "True Nature" and Navarro follows with a barrage of wailing riffs, you realize how much you missed these guys and their Southern California rock-star vibe, and how refreshing it is to have them back.

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