THE RELEASE OF THEIR NEW ALBUM
It is rare today to hear a music group that is forging it's own style; playing something original and unique that hasn't been heard before. However, after decades of rock and roll, one group has still managed to find uncharted territory to explore. I am speaking of 311, the high energy, maximum impact quintet from Omaha, Nebraska.
311's individual style is something of a mix between funk, reggae, the heavy metal overtones and rap-style vocals of Rage Against the Machine, and the shear energy of the Beastie Boys. To the hastily judgemental listener, 311 usually sounds like a Rage copy, but this is far from the case. Most listeners slowly grow to love them for all their styles of music, once they have been recognized.
In their new, self titled album, 311 presents the same aggressive punch that can be heard in their previous 2 albums. In the 311 tradition, the album opens up with a fast-fretting, heavily distorted rocker named "Down". The fourth song is "All Mixed Up", which presents an irresistible mellowed-out style. Guitarist Tim Mahoney's playing in this song, as well as in a handful of other 311 tunes, incorporates melodious chords noticeably influenced by reggae. The two band members devoted to vocals, Nick Hexum and SA (Doug) Martinez, add their own personal spice to the songs, sometimes singing harmoniously and sometimes dishing out the vocal gymnastics in a fast-paced rap style.
The fact that 311 has two members solely devoted to vocals gives their music a great deal of diversity. SA has a higher-pitched, typically more concordant voice that complements Hexum's deeper voice perfectly. When they sing fast, such as in "Jackolantern's Weather", it's very hard not to get up and jump around to the music. Likewise, when they sing in harmony, such as in "Purpose", it's equally as hard not to sing along.
The lyrics, generally written by Hexum and SA, usually set a "just plain fun" atmosphere around their music. The lyrics frequently poke fun at people or weighty topics in the form of a half non-intelligent "spaghetti rhyme". A good example of this is "Random", which tries to focus on aliens and space travel, but goes off on a million tangents in a million directions. Sometimes they directly confront a serious issue, as they do to domestic abuse in "Don't Let Me Down". But the majority of their songs are simply about frames of mind or are expressions of emotions; always amusing and always high energy.
The album continues in this fashion, with all high-points and no lows. It closes appropriately with "T & P Combo", which combines everything inherently 311 for a final, fast-paced encore.
It is no surprise that 311 is now gaining popularity very quickly. Their latest album is a complete success. You may have heard their newest hit, "Don't Stay Home", already crackling over the airwaves. "311" presents a variety of music styles that are likely to appeal to all kinds of teenagers who want to hear a new flavor of alternative rock. I personally like this album so much because it has always left me in a good mood. In this case, 311 has definitely succeeded in what they set out to do with their music (and they always have). I highly recommend it.
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