GENUINE

Jane is given a second chance by Metronome Records ( formerly Brain Records ) after losing their contract in the early 80`s as a result of poor sales and possibly due to bad press from German music critics who were never very kind to them. However, Jane continued to tour successfully during the 80`s that resulted in rekindling a deal with their former record company which takes us back to the old Jane style of the 1970`s, albeit with a harder edge. If you are a fan of the almost monotonous, dragging beat and raw raunchy sound which was Jane`s trademark back in their days of glory, this album shouldn`t disappoint. Prominent keyboards throughout are another ingredient here which texturize well with the heavy riffing from Klaus Walz who does a good job of almost sounding like original guitarist Klaus Hess. The English vocals are barely understandable, but hey, their poor English diction is what makes them even more freaked out. A couple of excellent live tracks, Fire, Water, Earth and Air and a long version of Another Way, from 1977 compliment this great comeback effort in which Jane fans from the 1970`s will rejoice. The line-up listed in progarchives contains a few errors. On bass & vocals is original member Charly Maucher. On keyboards is Werner Nadolny, another Jane veteran from the 1970`s and Constant member Peter Panka on drums & vocals. Guitarist Klaus Walz appears on tracks 1-10 while the two live bonus tracks feature Klaus Hess. Maybe only having appeal for hard core fans, this pioneeing Krautrock band re-discovers it`s roots on this refreshing 2002 album.

Even if "Genuine" is not really the truth as far as the line up is concerned, this album has some more "Jane" flavours than the three former albums.

The "Intro" sounds as if the band was fine tuning their equipment while on stage. There is even a background computurized vocals signing "Superman, Cool Again. Easy!" that could be heard on the album "Fire, Water, Earth & Air" (1976) already.

When one listens to "Back Again" or "Be To See", it is really like we were listening to an old and classic "Jane" song. What a pleasure! I thought that these days belonged to past history and would never revive again.

Several bands did some very good come back after having released some poor albums ("Heep", "ELO", "Kansas" to name a few) and it is always with a certain emotion that I listened to such works. It is pure nostalgia of course but I can't help. And it is the same here.

Finally a good album from this German band. The last of that kind was "Jane" in . 1980.

Not all tracks are great of course, but the global feeling you get after having listened to this work is that the band was inspired while they were recording this album. Even the rock ballad "Feelings" (!), or the heavy "Dangerous Games" are far much better than any song from "Resurrection" or "Beautiful Lady" and "I Got Fun" has flavours of "Suffragette City" from whom you know.

This album weakens somehow with the last songs. And now, the trap.

Two live songs.

"Fire, Water, Earth & Air" and "Another Day". These are actually the ones from the "Genuine Jane". The problem is that they were already available on their first live album "Jane At Home" (1976).I find that this marketing strategy is pretty indecent.

Two stars for this (but the music is worth three).