Eric Avery

Alternative / Rock

Los Angeles, CA

Billboard

Listening to Help Wanted, one might think Eric Avery is a man ruled by his moods. His first formal solo project is dark and deep - dark in its intimations of disillusionment, isolation and alienation, deep in its layered electronic textures and sometimes-unsettling effects. The deep darkness he so vividly summons on the hypnotically atmospheric Help Wanted is the sound of an artist - in this case, a staunch proponent of reasoned discourse - in despair.

The album's title alludes to his need for a boot to the butt as well as the larger needs of the nation. (Among the notables lending a hand were Garbage's Shirley Manson, Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins and Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, who played trumpet.) And though he did record a few sessions for the self-produced Help Wanted at the former A&M Studios, Avery relishes the fact that most of it was created under very modest circumstances, working on a shoestring with engineer/programmer Billy Bush (Garbage, Korn, Beck).

Help Wanted is something of a reawakening for Avery, who's known to countless rock fans as the bassist for Jane's Addiction, which he co-founded at 20 with Perry Farrell in his hometown of Los Angeles. Being a key creative force in Jane's, one of the most important - and arguably one of the most artistic - bands of the alternative-rock generation, yet he quit at their pinnacle, walked away. After collaborating with Jane's guitarist Dave Navarro on the groundbreaking Deconstruction album, he fronted the adventurous outfit Polar Bear. Thereafter, however, he retreated to the role of journeyman musician, playing in other people's bands. He contributed to projects by Peter Murphy (to whom he's sometimes been compared), Alanis Morissette, Garbage and Smashing Pumpkins, among others, content to remain a passenger on his musical odyssey. He lost his edge and impetus as an artist.

He made his way back to being an artist by writing; each song he wrote was another step in the path back. His journey coincided with the birth of Help Wanted, though, at the time, Avery wasn't really aware of just what was gestating. He was, however, cognizant that his voice (which he's always viewed as a rather humble instrument) had a new role to play, as did his tentative explorations on piano. Moreover, most of the album was written on guitar, which he played as a child but did not return to until recently. "I've always been more concerned with creating music that has vibe or mood than in crafting catchy pop songs. I believe there is generally an inverse relationship between pop knowledge and creative instinct. They aren't mutually exclusive, of course, but there is a danger in the restlessness that comes with the basic medium of songwriting."