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311 continues to evolve
On their latest effort, Soundsystem, 311 takes some more unexpected turns (though it isn't as out there as Transistor), creating an eclectic hybrid of sounds and refusing to be categorized. If you are a fan, you can expect the unexpected (the trippy, Latin influenced "Life's Not A Race" and the aggro, drum-and-bass influenced "Livin' & Rockin'"), as well as songs that combine the hard groove and hip-hop of their self-titled with the dub stylings of Transistor. Overall, Soundsystem is an awesome album (worth 5 stars), but it still feels like something is missing. The lyrics aren't as strong as some of their earlier albums (they repeat choruses a lot on Soundsystem) - they don't kick out verses with the same impact as they did on the first two albums. Also, it's not as experimental as Grassroots and Transistor, and those who enjoyed the latter might be disappointed with the lack of dub reggae on this album. It's definitely worth picking up if you are a 311 fan, since it shows a natural evolution and has plenty of kickin' tunes to blast on your car radio, but those who haven't yet should check out Grassroots and Transistor first - both are flawless modern classics that never get old.
311is all always up for kickin
I am a huge 311 fan! They are awesome in concert. Every fan must own this album. It has the standard great tracks that all true 311 fans love. 311 is the perfect mix between pump you up feel good music, and their signature chillin style that melts away the stress and chaos in our lives. Stay positive and love your life!
Can't go wrong with the big 3-1-1
I've been listening to 311 religiously for six months now and i've come to the conclusion that you just can't go wrong with 311...whether you're looking for rock, reggae pop or wutev this album delivers and is i think the most diverse of all 311s albums. I still have to say as most 311 fans would that Grassroots and Music are better albums overall but Soundsystem is still my fav. I'll break it down for ya now: 1.Freeze Time - 5/5 i didn't dig this song as much my first time but i soon realized that it friggin rocked..all out headbanger I would say the best opener of any of 311s cds slightly ahead of Homebrew and Down. My 3rd fav on the cd. 2.Come Original - 5/5 A big hit for 311 that got some radio play but not enough. It's a great song and up there with Do You Right as one of 311's most dynamic songs going from rock to reggae to hip hop...but it can get a lil repetitive 3.Large In The Margin - 5/5 another song i didn't dig right away but i soon became entrenched in the rockin' beat after another listen 4.Flowing - 5/5 Now this is one damn good song. starts w/ a trippy cell phone type thing for bout 12 seconds then explodes into a great rock beat. one of the best party songs 5.Can't Fade Me - 5/5 nothign to say bout this song but it rocks again..heavy guitar and bass and alotta SA and nick rapping 6.Lifes Not a Race - 5/5 wow what a slow tripped out masterpiece a total changeup from the previous songs but still an amazing song..thas why you gotta love this cd 7.Strong All ALong - 5/5 oo boy my fav on the cd and for good reasons. it speeds up a bit from Lifes not a Race but is still a lil tripped out and has great beat and lyrics. i just love it 8.Sever - 4/5 Good song with an interesting beats but can drag on after a lil bit 9.Eons - 5/5 Man this song reallly grew on me with its infectious chorus. its a slow rocker but its the bomb dude trust me 10.Evolution 5/5 Must i say anything its awesome fast paced tune 11.Leaving Babylon 5/5 Tripped out masterpiece for the fellow budsmoker 12.Mindspin 4/5 hard short rocker..good chrous 13.Livin and Rockin 5/5 craziest party song ever..so fast and crazy makes you wanna headbang and jump around so much you won't believe O man you gotta buy this cd and give it a couple listens with an open mind..ull eventually love it unless you dont like this type of music at all...i don't skip a track on the whole cd
Soundsystem
311 is a band that seems come out with albums that have a delicous ratio of "good to bad" songs. Their 6th studio album, Sounsystem, is no exception. If one thing this album has, its variety. You will here several different types of songs here, and all of them are actually GOOD. You plenty of Rockin tracks on here like "Flowing" and "Freeze Time", some joyus Punk sounding songs like "Come Original" and "Strong All Along", and to cap it off you have songs like "Leaving Babylon" that literaly sound like you just took LSD, but without the LSD. The main point here is you won't find yourself saying "all these fucking songs sound the same" when you have this popped in your CD player. The sound quality that 311 pumps out is fantastic. The guitarist, drummer, and bassist seem to bust out perfectly matching melodies and descants. The singer's voice isn't the best, but the lyrics do have some cool and original story behind them. Also, his voice stays in the middle pitch, so you won't experience some guy screaming in your ear in the lowest octive possible, or a high-ass girly sounding pitch like in Dashboard Confessional. I would recomend this album, and most 311 albums to pretty much everybody. Something about the sound in the music is both skillfull and enjoyable. So if youre looking for a solid album, give this a listen.