Customer Reviews

Kettle Whistle

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Though it's not one, you could kind of look at this as a live "best of" album, with new songs. Nothing will ever match the quality of "Nothings Shocking" and "Ritual de lo Habitual", but this is still a great listen for old and new fans. The new songs are pretty good. "Kettle Whistle" is similar to "Then she did", and "So What" has kind of a "Stop" feel to it. "Slow Divers" and "My cats name is Maceo" are both ok, and it's cool to have "City" from the "Soul Kiss" video. The rest of it is just classic live material, some not as good as the originals, and some better. There's also alot of pictures in the sleeve, and a little band history from "Henry Rollins". I would highly suggest getting this, right after the first three records.

'Kettle Whistle' is a great compilation of the band that runs 75 minutes in duration,giving the fan their money's worth.The 22-page full color booklet is jammed with interesting info and photos.I've ALWAYS been a big fan of JA and was quite taken away with the disc's four unreleased tracks,like "My Cat's Name Is Maceo","City","So What" and the sonic-blasting title cut "Kettle Whistle".There's sort of a mini-concert here,four songs recorded at a past gig at the Hollywood Palladium "Three Days","Ain't No Right","Up The Beach" and "Stop".My favorites would be the demos for "Ocean Size","Mountain Song" and "Whores".If you're a true Jane's fan,it's simply really...you'll dig this release.

With the latest Janes reunion underway it seems only fitting to look back at 97's "relapse" and its accompanying tie-in CD. This disc collects demos/outtakes, live tracks and four "new" songs (actually, only "So What" was penned after the breakup) spanning all eras of the group. Any Janes Addiction fan should find this stuff fantastic, especially the live material which captures their blend of punk/metal might and psychedelic artiness at its fullest--what can one say about

the live "Three Days"? The demos for "Ocean Size", "Had A Dad" and "Mountain Song" all present interesting (if not necessarily better) variations on the released versions. Of the four "new" tracks, "Kettle Whistle" is perhaps the most disappointing; one of their oldest songs (they played it live as early as '86), the melody and lyric retain their mystery but the quasi-electronic arrangement lacks real drive. "So What?!" is better, and proves that the group's sound could have evolved nicely into the 90s (the group later complained that the record company gave them little studio time to properly record either cut). The best one, however, is the dreamy "Slow Divers", a psych-oriented number from the acoustic show recorded for their first album given latter-day overdubs--Perry's vocal and echo effects on this sends shivers down the spine, and why it was not released earlier is puzzling. Other tracks like the jokey "My Cats Name Is Maceo", off-the-cuff "City" and the jazzy vocal arrangement on the "Been Caught Stealing" outtake round out the collection by presenting us with facets of the band not normally associated with their image. In essence, "Kettle Whistle" does what it's supposed to do--collect minor odds and ends along with some stellar live cuts--to present an overall patchwork-like but still enjoyable look at the finest and most influential alternative group of its era.

I was really looking forward to this release knowing that most of the band was re-uniting. There are a few new recordings here in Kettle Whistle, ..Maceo, and a couple others but what's dissipointing is that those songs were simply old Jane's Addiction re-treads that were written and performed live several years ago but never placed on their CD's. I have an old bootleg from 1988-89 to prove it. However, the live and unreleased cuts with the old bad sound awesome. I can't figure out why Slow Divers was not included on the original Janes Addiction release. And I think the live version of Jane Says is better then the Nothings Shocking and Janes versions. The 3 or 4 song series from the LA shows including 3 Days is a must have. Overall, it's a great buy and an excellent summary of work. They could just do without a couple of the newer recordings.

Another live one from Jane's but I don't love it quite as much as their selt-titled live album. If you like Jane's, you will have heard most of these songs before. However, KETTLE WHISTLE and SLOW DIVERS within themselves make this album a must have. Besides, isn't fun to have like 4 different cds with JANE SAYS on it? (if you count Perry's REV album in addition to K.W, Nothings Shocking, and J.A's first album).

This is very, very f***in' good. This is definitely one of my favorite CDs. It is pure Jane's goodness. And, it does have faults, but they don't detract from the album much at all.

The new tracks, "Kettle Whistle", and "So What", are interesting. "Kettle Whistle" is good, but not excellent. "So What", on the other hand, is an excellent example of what new Jane's music should sound like. It shows that they evolve as the world evolves around them.

The demos are excellent. I think that "Ocean Size" from '88 is the best song on the CD. "My Cat's Name is Maceo" and "Had a Dad" are very good.

But the live tracks are where it's at, so to speak. "Slow Divers" and the Palladium set are awesome. And "Three Days"? Beautiful. Plus, the Irvine Meadows version of "Jane Says" is the best version I have ever heard.

Bottom line: an excellent CD. If you like rock at all, then you should check this out. If you're a Jane's fan and you don't already own this, wake up and buy it. Now.

I listen to this CD at work, and I spend many hours at a desktop, so I need a swift kick occasionally. This music provides that kick. Some reviewers recommend this release to hard-core fans only. I have to disagree. The music here can stand on its own. It demonstrates the three elements that made Jane's Addiction such a good band: high energy, a willingness to experiment, and an ability to combine a kaleidoscope of sounds to create something original. I highly recommend this one.

In a time where Celine Dion and the Backstreet Boys dominates the charts, Jane's Addiction reminds rock and roll what it should be, dangerous This is a series of outakes and live recordings that gives a small example of a great band. Not as complete as their earlier albums. And the new songs, with the exception of Kettle Whistle" are a little weak. For a first time listener I would recomend "Ritual de lo Habitual" or "Nothing Shocking" This album is for the longtime fans who want a reminder of great times. Still a good example of what everyone in rock should want to be "..beautiful too"

Well, I bought this CD for the beautiful song "Kettle whistle" with electronic elements then I was mesmerized by "Slow divers" tom-tom and guitar (simple song). Mostly other songs sound like Led Zeppelin.

I always hated the song "Been caught stealing" but this version is a lot better without the dog (I usually love to hear animal sound in songs but this one had no magic in it).

What attracted me the most on this album is the drum, tom-tom and funny noise they do with guitar pedals.

considering this album was put toghether by jane's addicion so many years after breaking up, the album sounds really good. The live songs are good and makes them wish you had seen them live when they were still toghether. The rarities are pretty interesting and are good to complete a jane's addcion's fan collection.