Expectations were high tonight for the Jane's Addiction show at the Eagles Ballroom. No one needs or wants to see a tired nostalgia show with bloated ticket prices and deflated entertainers. But no worries, folks, this was not at all the case with this evening's performance.

Tonight was the last show of the 2012 tour in support of the band's latest album, "The Great Escape Artist," released last year. The tour, which was extended for 15 more dates including Milwaukee, featured three-out-of-four of the original lineup: frontman Perry Farrell, guitarist Dave Navarro, drummer Stephen Perkins and "new" bassist Chris Chaney. (Chaney replaced Eric Avery but has been with the band on and off for years).

"The Great Escape Artist" is the band's first studio release in eight years. Produced by Rich Costey (Muse, Nine Inch Nails), it peaked at No. 12 on The Billboard 200 and follows 2003's album, "Strays."

The show opened with Pink Floyd's "Welcome to the Machine" blaring over the elbow-to-elbow crowd. The band ripped right into "Underground" from their latest album and then delivered fan-favorite "Mountain Song" from the classic Jane's album "Nothing's Shocking."

To say the band was energetic would be an understatement. They were absolutely unstoppable. Perry and Navarro are clearly in great physical shape: Navarro was shirtless and Perry started out in a suit and tie but quickly stripped down to a bare chest and a skimpy black vest. They never stopped moving, performing, engaging the audience through eye contact, reach-outs and banter.

Farrell's eyes were bright and he was, at times, nothing short of a showman. Some of the lead-ins to songs were over-rehearsed, but there was a fair share of conversation that was strictly for Milwaukee – although a chunk of it was about Jeffrey Dahmer.

"Jeffrey Dahmer, what a douche bag," said Farrell. "Can you hear me from hell, Dahmer?"

However, Farrell also asked if Jerry Harrison from the Talking Heads was  from "around here" and went on to say he is much more noteworthy than Dahmer.

The concert, which has theatrical elements, featured live, burlesque performances. Two attractive, long-haired women, one of whom was Farrell's wife, were on stage for most of the show, starting out on trapezes in long flowing dresses and later in bondage outfits. Interestingly, although they were reflective of the theme of the new album, they were eerily reminiscent of the two women on the cover of "Nothing's Shocking." (Although the stage performers' hair never caught fire, thankfully, unlike the two women on the cover of the record).

I also thought they could have been more "shocking." They were suggestive, but not racy and definitely not raunchy. This wasn't a family show; it could have gone further.

There was also a large, birdlike creature suspended from the ceiling and a stuffed bear on stage. Large video screens showed disturbing and vintage footage of cars driving off the road and women smoking cigarettes. The lighting was incredible, so blinky and flashy is seemed almost seizure inducing.

Although Jane's Addiction has released new material long after their popular albums "Nothing's Shocking" and "Ritual De Lo Habitual," it's understandable that any of the concert goers, myself included, want to hear the hits mixed in with the new stuff. That said, the band played a very energized "Been Caught Stealing" and later a heartfelt, untired version of "Jane Says."

After audience stamping, clapping, hooting and hollering, they closed the show, and the North American tour, with "Ocean Size." Farrell thanked the audience for a great evening.

This was a show worth seeing and it will be remembered for years to come by those who saw it. The boys still have it. And my ears are still ringing.