Help Wanted

Eric Avery | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 8, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Dangerbird
• ASIN: B0014DBZRE
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #193,886 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The original members of Jane’s Addiction moved on to other projects or made cameos in other bands but bassist Eric Avery chose to stay out of the limelight, save for a quiet foray with the experimental Polar Bear. With Help Wanted, his first official solo venture, Avery draws on a lifetime of influences--punk to techno, 1970s AM pop to FM rock--and friends. Garbage vocalist Shirley Manson, Foo Fighters’ drummer Taylor Hawkins, and Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers lend a hand to craft a diverse, mysterious, 12-song album. Avery’s deep baritone is surrounded with torrential riffs and layers of sound. "I am invincible/I make my enemies afraid/See them run and hide," he bellows on "Song In The Silence," amid a Flea-blown trumpet against a foreboding melody, which shares best-of-album honors along with the unyielding "Maybe," a duet with Shirley Manson. It’s a 180-degree turn from the goth/psychedelia of Jane’s Addiction. Help Wanted may prove to be a seminal album. --Scott Holter

Product Description

The debut solo album from the co-founder/bassist of Jane's Addiction is dark and deep - dark in its intimations of disillusionment, isolation, and alienation; deep in its layered electronic textures and sometimes unsettling effects. Yet amid the anguish both personal and political, the artist somehow remains hopeful. Features guest contributions from Shirley Manson (Garbage), Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), and Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!, April 10, 2008

By 

rickgassko (LA, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Help Wanted (Audio CD)

THis is an amazing album. "Maybe" is such a beautiful duet; "Sun's Gone" makes me think of my city at dawn. Also, Belly of an Insect is an incredibly collage-like mix of amazing sounds. Flea, Shirley Manson, and Taylor Hawkins all sit in; part of the 'Help' I guess. Great work; so good to see this Jane's Addiction bass savant back in a big way.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars High Marks for a Super Album, September 10, 2008

By 

Maggie Mae (Reno, Nevada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Help Wanted (Audio CD)

For those of you who aren't familiar with the name Eric Avery, he was one of the key players in all-time underground faves "Jane's Addiction". He had a way with precision and keeping the rhythm of "Jane's" amazing songs that most of us loved. If you've never heard a Jane's Addiction album then I feel sorry for you and recommend you to find one and listen to it.

This is Eric Avery's solo debut and shows a different side to Avery. It has a darker and moody vibe, different from the funky punk aggression of Jane's. It features "Walk Through Walls", is a song I really like. "Belly of An Insect" with it's post-punk stylings and effects is another song I like a lot. In my opinion this record gets the same high marks that made Jane's Addiction so great.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hauntingly Gorgeous, April 12, 2008

By 

Matthew Fowler "just a man" (West Hills, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Help Wanted (Audio CD)

Just an incredibly rewarding effort from Eric Avery. I've been a fan of the truth and core behind Jane's Addiction ever since I saw him perform with his project Polar Bear in '98. This album take me down deep.