Satellite Party
UltraPayloaded

Satellite Party is the new project by Perry Farrell, the charismatic leader of Jane's Addiction, one of the most important bands of the last 20 years, which disbanded for good two years ago. Supported by former Extreme guitarist Nuno Bettencourt and other character-musicians, Farrell returns with a project that seems to encapsulate his career. There is the classic rock style of Jane's Addiction-Porno for Pyros in the eleven tracks that make up "Ultrapayloaded": that taste capable of alternating vigor and scratches with sinuous acid and exotic arrangements, but there are also those rhythmic incursions that characterized his 2001 solo album "The Song Yet to Be Sung," clearly visible in the rarefied "The Solutionists," or more refined solutions, à la Bowie ("Mr. Sunshine"). The connecting thread is Perry's voice, shrill and evocative, a true trademark.

Satellite Party seems to us a great name to describe the summer atmosphere, like a beach party: well showcased especially in a track like "Only Love, Let's Celebrate", driven by an infectious groove, almost Stone Roses-like. The best tracks, however, seem to us to be those where the echo of the best Jane's Addiction reverberates: the captivating single "Wish Upon a Dog Star"; "Kinky", insidious and claustrophobic (with a spine-chilling bass line by Peter Hook) and the title track, which somewhat recalls the visionary quality of "Ritual de lo habitual", while the fireworks of Porno for Pyros seem to be revived in the open structures of "Milky Ave".
However, it must be said that Bettencourt, as technically skilled as he is, does not have Navarro's touch and class, and even John Frusciante's cameo (along with Flea) in "Hard Life Easy" does not go beyond the routine. Nonetheless, Perry Farrell's voice that we love stands out above all, dreamy and majestic, which age may have taken some danger and ardor from but has given greater wisdom to. Thumbs down instead for the tearjerking ballad ala Smiths-Coldplay of "Awesome", a very distant relative of the legendary "Jane Says": an old age sin that we can safely forgive the old Perry for. Very peculiar is the last track "Woman in the Window", which features a sampling of Jim Morrison's voice, over a mantra-like atmosphere provided by a very Doors-like organ, but it doesn't seem like an intervention capable of altering the album's intrinsic value.

In conclusion, "Ultrapayloaded" is a good album, perfect for this summer that promises to be hot: to listen to while sitting by the sea at sunset, sipping a nice glass of wine, and possibly in sweet company....