Spring Break
311 album 'catchy,' but doesn't beat old material
JOHN BARRETT
Issue date: 6/18/09 Section: Variety
Editor's note: This is a review of the 14-track deluxe edition. The standard edition contains only 12 tracks.
By 2009, reggae-rap-rock quintet 311 has established itself as one of the hardest-working groups in music, touring relentlessly year after year. But while they've had no problem filling arenas, life in the studio has been quiet.
"Uplifter," 311's first album in almost four years, has benefited from the extra recording and writing time. Compared to 2005's forgettable "Don't Tread on Me," it sounds fresh and catchy, containing a wider variety of musical sounds and textures and re-incorporating some of the band's "old-school" heavy rock sound.
This isn't to say "Uplifter" is a return to form, as there's still plenty of over-polished pop vibes and cheesy lyrics to be found - both of which are unfortunate hallmarks of 311's post-millennial work.
Thankfully, there are some gems scattered among the 14-track expanse. "Jackpot"'s fluid rapping and vicious, syncopated riffs make it 311's only true return to its vintage '90s sound, and guitarist Tim Mahoney delivers his most jaw-droppingly intense solo ever on the bouncy "Never Ending Summer."
"Too Much Too Fast" somehow manages to sound nothing like 311, featuring spiky guitar work and channeling an indie-rock beat.
Inevitably, though, there are moments where it's clear 311 is slipping into middle-aged complacency.
Lead single "Hey You" doesn't sound like the comeback fans have hoped for, with its reggae-lite verses paired with a 311-by-numbers chorus and a ham-fisted message about music (the group's "constant companion").
"Something out of Nothing" starts with promise but succumbs to a weak chorus driven by a nursery-rhyme melody. "Mix It Up" fluctuates between rock, rap and reggae without ever deciding on anything. Coupled with unbelievably lame lyrics, it ranks among the worst songs the band has ever recorded.
Now that the members of 311 are nearing their 40s, it's refreshing that they are at least trying to keep things fresh, but singers Nick Hexum and SA Martinez's compulsion to holler "uh!", "yeah!" and "what!" incessantly makes it seem like they're trying a little too hard to keep the party going.
Of the obligatory mellow material, "Two Drops in the Ocean" goes down smooth as a daiquiri and practically screams for a road trip to the beach, whereas the quasi-R&B of "My Heart Sings" falls flat on its face.
- John Barrett is a variety writer for The Red & Black.
By 2009, reggae-rap-rock quintet 311 has established itself as one of the hardest-working groups in music, touring relentlessly year after year. But while they've had no problem filling arenas, life in the studio has been quiet.
"Uplifter," 311's first album in almost four years, has benefited from the extra recording and writing time. Compared to 2005's forgettable "Don't Tread on Me," it sounds fresh and catchy, containing a wider variety of musical sounds and textures and re-incorporating some of the band's "old-school" heavy rock sound.
This isn't to say "Uplifter" is a return to form, as there's still plenty of over-polished pop vibes and cheesy lyrics to be found - both of which are unfortunate hallmarks of 311's post-millennial work.
Thankfully, there are some gems scattered among the 14-track expanse. "Jackpot"'s fluid rapping and vicious, syncopated riffs make it 311's only true return to its vintage '90s sound, and guitarist Tim Mahoney delivers his most jaw-droppingly intense solo ever on the bouncy "Never Ending Summer."
"Too Much Too Fast" somehow manages to sound nothing like 311, featuring spiky guitar work and channeling an indie-rock beat.
Inevitably, though, there are moments where it's clear 311 is slipping into middle-aged complacency.
Lead single "Hey You" doesn't sound like the comeback fans have hoped for, with its reggae-lite verses paired with a 311-by-numbers chorus and a ham-fisted message about music (the group's "constant companion").
"Something out of Nothing" starts with promise but succumbs to a weak chorus driven by a nursery-rhyme melody. "Mix It Up" fluctuates between rock, rap and reggae without ever deciding on anything. Coupled with unbelievably lame lyrics, it ranks among the worst songs the band has ever recorded.
UPLIFTER
Verdict: "Uplifter" teems with positive messages and will undoubtedly deliver in the live environment, but as an album, it doesn't reach anywhere near the group's creative peaks.Now that the members of 311 are nearing their 40s, it's refreshing that they are at least trying to keep things fresh, but singers Nick Hexum and SA Martinez's compulsion to holler "uh!", "yeah!" and "what!" incessantly makes it seem like they're trying a little too hard to keep the party going.
Of the obligatory mellow material, "Two Drops in the Ocean" goes down smooth as a daiquiri and practically screams for a road trip to the beach, whereas the quasi-R&B of "My Heart Sings" falls flat on its face.
- John Barrett is a variety writer for The Red & Black.
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