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Review: 311- Evolver

311 is back with their first release since From Chaos in 2001 and to be honest it's difficult to believe the boys when they talk about evolving on their latest eleven song album. This is not to say the album is entirely a loss but as a band they have yet to grasp the greatness they were destined for in the early 90's Music/Grassroots era.
The songs "Creatures (For a While)" "Reconsider Everything" and "Crack The Code" start the album off and give the album listener a real positive outlook for the record but the album never progresses past a few catchy tunes and some funky beats for which their are quite a few. Nick Hexum is not the most interesting singer or lyricist out there, but he does write a catchy tune and at the core 311 are a brilliant musical band. Can they carry Nick and his apparent lack of good lyrics? only time will tell.

Rating: 2 1/2 out of 5 Stars

Stand Out Tracks:

Creatures (For a While)
Reconsider Everything
Crack The Code
Dont Dwell
Sometimes Jacks Rule the Realm

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"If somebody said to me, in twelve years you’ll be in a band with your brother and two carrot munching geezers who don’t like football, I would've said 'fuck off, I’m not joining the Bee Gees." -Noel Gallagher 2005

ouch that was a rough review...i have been a 311 fan for awhile and have a different view on the album. I think the album is a step in a good direction for 311

Creatures
This song is very catchy tune. The lyric progression is incredible in this song. With the nice bass lines throughout and the cool down in the middle it definately reminds me a lot of older 311 tunes. Its not a great tune but very catchy and fun to listen too

Reconsider Everything
This is definately a little different for 311 from there previous albums. This song stays very raw. The normal funky effect laden 311 is not shown through in this song. This is one of my least favorite tunes on the album, very repetetive and kind of annoying

Crack the Code
This tune starts up and reminds me a lot of From Chaos. The opening funk is great and they bust into the effects that were lacking in the last song. I really enjoy the start/stop playing through the course of this song. Very brief to the point wording and simple playing makes the song one youll be singing a long to later.

Same Mistake Twice
This song is very upbeat and shows of some of 311's harmonizing skills. Very simple song, fun, but nothing outstanding musically.

Beyond the Gray Sky
This song is absolutely incredible. This is the song I always seem to have to come back too. The opening guitar reminds me of early Jerry Garcia sound. The tune starts out very melodic with a simple beat and guitar lines. Throughout the tune it gets very blissful and mellow....This track definately chills the album down ...about 2:00 into the track they pick it up for a rocking chorus. Then bring it back down to a spacey effect laden guitar and finish out the song EXTREMELY strong with great guitar and drums throughout. This is one song on the album that I think showcases the great musical talent of this band.

Seems Uncertain
Another mellow tune. Very quiet and peaceful, this definately has a groove aspect too it. Throughout the whole tune I couldnt stop myself from grooving and bobbing my head a little.

Still Dreaming
Pretty Standard song...picks the album back up and definately sounds like something you would expect from 311

Give Me A Call
This song is pretty odd. Im not a huge fan of the beginning of this track but about 1:30 through the end i really enjoy this song. Very cool steel drum/jamaican sound going on throughout it. Strong basslines create a funky island type song

Dont Dwell
Starts out with a nice bass solo. Im not a huge fan of this song reminds me more of something some shitty wanna be band should be playing.

Other Side of things
Once again back to what you would expect from 311. Extremely catchy tune. Another one of my favorites on the album for its simple sound and unique vocals.

Sometimes Jacks Rule The Realm
WOW! This is a masterpeice of raw playing ala Ill Be Here Awhile acoustic version. The lyrics on this song are beautiful. The makeup and different sections of this song make it a musical masterpeice. Helps end the album with a great feeling. With an bass solo to top of the cake makes this another favorite on the album

Overall the album definately was not there greatest album. And i am by no means a huge fan of 311, but i definately enjoy this album. The experimentation with new sounds this band uses always impresses me with songs like Beyond the Gray Sky and Sometimes Jacks Rule the Realm create a whole new feel for this album. Making 311 a band your always up for listening to just because the band always has a new style to bring to you

thats my long review...take what you can get out of it

I agree with Petrocs. This album is strictly average unless of course you are a 311 fan i guess.

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[laugh]

Holy shit on bricks.

You my friend have obviously not seen 311 live, if you had you would understand the energy that Hexum is trying to relate in this AWESOME album. I've seen them live 9 ( nine ) times, all in San Diego ( Well, once in L.A. ) , when S.A. - Nick and PNut get on stage, electricity runs through the venue, and you know a badass show is about to blow your mind. I remember seeing Incubus open for them in 99' at the SDSU ampitheater - Man did Incubus SUCK live, fucking terrrible show, then 311 takes the stage with "Who's got the Herb" and the atmosphere of the whole place changed, chicks started takin their shirts off, the pit got huge, and chaos insued ( all with the shitty accoustic's of the venue) .This album isn't in essence an "evolution" of their music, it is a culmination of the band's entire release history. This album combinds grassroots, 311 (self titled), and Soundsystem, as well as touches of their other albums, and transfromes it into a new sound, mixing all the best, into something that is new. How many bands do you know that started in the late 80's and still have the strength behind their new music? Not that many. Furthermore, I can't wait to see 311/Slightly Stoopid/Cypress Hill at Street Scene this Saturday, will probably be one of the best shows I'll ever see, and I've seen alot. 2.5 out of 5 rating is a laugh, why don't you change the channel back to MTV and watch the .50 video again.

Props to 311 for this bitchin album - See you guys on the 6th!!

__________________
Ignorance Is Bliss. An Example -

quote:

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Originally posted by platinum_bomb
Dude, It wasn't there and still isn't... I was waiting to see what the pic looked like cuz the release was up, but there was no pic and i didn't find the sample, mo fo. Don't make me come and tie ur arms to ur chair and beat u silly with your own keyboard

lol

Will edit this after i get it.

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being someone who thinks 311 are ok (and one of the few people in the uk who don't go 31-who?) i think this album is bloody awful. nothing about it stood out to me at all. except the STOP button.

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563-773-1880

<Dwaggy> i caught you a delicious Bass
<The404> This is because you are an idiot

Hehe, thats funny pHo, I find myself hitting that same button when The Beatles "Revolver" is playing. :P

__________________
Ignorance Is Bliss. An Example -

quote:

---

Originally posted by platinum_bomb
Dude, It wasn't there and still isn't... I was waiting to see what the pic looked like cuz the release was up, but there was no pic and i didn't find the sample, mo fo. Don't make me come and tie ur arms to ur chair and beat u silly with your own keyboard

lol

Will edit this after i get it.

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no beatles cd has EVER been in my cd player. fucking dreadful pop crap wank. only reason i have any "like" for em, is that the bands i like started because they wanted to make sure they sounded NOTHING like them. thank god.

__________________
563-773-1880

<Dwaggy> i caught you a delicious Bass
<The404> This is because you are an idiot