Eric Avery, Help Wanted

Dark with lots of electronic layers, I initially had a difficult time getting to know Help Wanted, the initial offering from former Jane’s Addiction bassist and founding member Eric Avery. After several attempts and an accidental shady parking garage, I found the right medium in which to truly enjoy this CD. Listening in the dark, all the nuances of the music and vocals become crystal clear.

The sound is a bit sci-fi and disassociated, and the lyrics are far away from the usual emotional subjects that one finds in mainstream radio fuzz. The vocals are enveloped by the music, almost like Avery is falling into the waves of an ocean, but they’re not overpowered; his role of storyteller remains intact. Avery’s monotone vocal style has good timbre and works very well with the subject material. Overall, the CD is hugely visual, and this is the reason it’s best to get acquainted with it in the dark — without the usual distractions.

Each song stands well on its own, yet works in harmony with the others. The lyrics are all Avery, with the exception of “Maybe,” which is co-written and performed with Shirley Manson and is absolutely beautiful. Other artists adding their talent to Help Wanted include Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins and Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Flea plays trumpet on the delectably delusional “Song in the Silence (The Man Who Can Fly Pt. 7)”.

Opening song “Belly Of An Insect” introduces the listener to the uniqueness of Avery’s dark, cold lyrical style and paves the way for the rest of the CD. “All Remote And No Control” is one of my favorites and has an end-of-the-world imagery — there is catastrophe in the sound; you’ll know it when you hear it. “Walk Through Walls (The Man Who Can Fly Pt. 5)” is pure fun with a funky retro sound, and “Suns Gone” is the progressive-y final track that brings things to a quiet but oddly hopeful close.

Help Wanted is amazingly good, well-produced album and would be the perfect soundtrack to a futuristic science fiction movie. It is definitely worth picking up if you enjoy dark, depressive music — oh, and don’t forget to turn out the lights.