Jane’s Addiction Unveil ‘The Great Escape Artist’ Cover Artwork

Fans waiting patiently for the Oct. 18 release of Jane's Addiction's fourth studio album, 'The Great Escape Artist,' have a little something to help bide their time: the disc's front cover artwork to stare at.

The cover art, which features what looks to be a lone male figure stripped down to nothing more than his skivvies and hanging out in a bedroom full of fun items like a computer, a diary, Christmas lights and an electric guitar, shares striking stylistic similarities with the original cover of the band's multi-platinum 1990 album, 'Ritual de lo Habitual.'

That cover, which included papier mache figures of a naked man with two (two!) nude women, was replaced by a second cover featuring only black text (featuring the so-called "freedom of speech" text of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution) on a white background. Farrell created the papier mache version, which was used by braver stores.

It's not immediately clear who created the 'Escape Artist' cover artwork, although it's probably safe to assume that JA singer Perry Farrell, who designed the 'Ritual de lo Habitual' piece, is likely responsible. "We wanted to cast a spell," he has said of the band's intentions with the new album, and the striking cover art certainly could be considered a key ingredient in the spell-casting process.

The big release day for 'The Great Escape Artist,' which follows on the heels of 2003's 'Strays,' has been pushed back several times, and now stands Oct. 18. You can however, check out two very enjoyable tracks from the new album, 'End to the Lies' and 'Irresistible Force' right here on our site by clicking on each song title.