PETER PANKA'S JANE: SHINE ON

I guess lots of you know that song.But of course at this time of their career, it was not really sweet times that "Jane" was offering. Especially during their "Beautiful Lady" (gosh!) or "Resurrection" (re-gosh!) period.

The quality of their recordings picked up for "Genuine" though. And this album is not too bad after all.

No "Sweet Jane" references of course but maybe some "Shine On YCD". Not that this album sounds like this fantastic piece of music but the opener is purely Floydian and I admit that I like this song. I admit that its structure is pretty much basic (like most of the numbers here) but the hypnotic beat is rather catchy.

What's for sure is that since Peter Panda is on the full command of the band, the sound has completely changed. From a pure hard to heavy rock, the band has hugged several different genres. "Heartbeat" is an example of mellow ballad which couldn't have been released in their glory days.

In terms of ballad, I have a weakness for "Another Day Another Way" : fully pop and melodic. But again, this is not the "genuine" Jane but I guess that one cannot expect a band to always play the same music throughout the years (especially when their career is spread over more than thirty years). The guitar break featured here is also very pleasant.

Some straight-forward rock songs like "Know It All" or "Still Want More" aren't bad per se, but won't be a highlight in "Jane" 's career either of course.

Some songs are pretty weak, that's a given. "Honestly" is the first of the genre. Press next (or skip depending on your configuration). But next will only lead you to "Freedom In His Word", another ballad in the sort of love/hate type. Some sort of jelly song for some of you, some nice rock ballad for some others.

Funny enough "How To Do It Right" is one of them. I'm often wondering if the bands didn't do it on purpose in the research of their title! It is very daring to call this song like that. It is an AWFUL song, with AWFUL backing vocals (same style as during their live album "Jane Live 89"). Press next. NOW. And you will automatically go to an extreme poor ballad. "Sign My Name" is the type of songs I wouldn't have liked to sign. Press next again.

Fortunately there will be a better end for this album. The last two songs are pleasant. Even if the pop orientation of "Something New" might be disputable, I appreciate the melodic chorus. But when one has been trough several weak songs, it is a pleasure to listen to a decent number. One has even the tendency to inflate its qualty...

The closing number is also one of the good songs from this album. Since it is the longest number from this album, it will even feature a long guitar solo (well over ten seconds my friend Febus). Again the mood is on the pop side but the same remark than for "Something New" apply.

This is an average album. Two stars. Nothing to worry about for a non-"Jane" maniac.

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