Reviews
311
Don't Tread On Me
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The music snob in me realizes 311 aren't overly talented. Their range is rather limited, their lyrics lacking complexity, and instrumentally they never stray far from the basic reggae/rock/dub comfort zone that they've been in from day 1. I know this, and yet I own four of their albums and will eventually buy their latest disc "Don't Tread On Me". What is that all about?
I know all of that and yet listening to their music I forget it all and get lost in it. 311 if you can get past the vocals create such a pleasant vibe with their music. Everything about it is chill. It is some of the best groove/sing along music that I have in my collection and because they can make harder almost rap/rock songs and also soft basically reggae tunes they are able to mix it up enough that it doesn't get stale. They did have one album where they proved to me that they can extend themselves "Galaxy" and that probably ranks in my top 50 albums in my collection. For the most part they hold their cards close to their chest, and don't take too many unneccesary risks. And why would they? 311 is a staple in the music scene, with a hardcore fan base that buys their albums and religiously hit up their shows.
"Don't Tread On Me" doesn't break new ground, and it doesn't attempt to re-invent the wheel. Instead this is a collection of 11 well crafted, softer, chill 311 tunes that can soothe the savage beast. Some fans might be disappointed that they don't rock out much here, but I could not possibly care less. I've always been partial to their softer stuff, the more reggae inspired it is the better it is going to be to me. 311 are kinda like The Hives to me. The Hives don't re-invent the wheel but what they do is wicked fun and for that reason they get a fair amount of spin on my cd player. 311 gets even more spin, and i guess that is just because few bands tread where they do on the musical globe. In other words, if 311 hasn't cranked your gears in the past they aren't going to break on through with this record. But similarily if you enjoyed them in the past, you should get satisfaction out of this release. What if you haven't heard 311? Well in that case I recommend downloading or buying "Galaxy" because that album is lightyears better than this or anything else they have ever done. Time to hit up the songs.
"Thank Your Lucky Stars" is where we will begin. This is the second track on the album, and it is an intriguing blend of what is great about harder 311 songs (crunchy, catchy guitars), and what is addictive about their softer side (melodic, chill vocals, and easy to sing-along catchy choruses). This sound instantly brings you back to what made you like 311 in the first place and picks up where they left off with their previous album. Personally, I could use a bit more ambience mixed throughout to give it a fresher and more unique sound but as I said earlier the band doesn't really do that much anymore. 311 has been making great chill tracks like this for years and the hits just keep on coming.
But what I really like is when the band does something like the song "Speak Easy" which puts the hard rock sound on the backburner and sees them just immerse themselve into the ambient, reggae/rock kinda sound. On songs like this 311 play their guitar so it sounds almost like it is being played underwater. It almost sounds like a sound effect, but don't be fooled it is just some fucked up way they mutate the sound to create this effect on the guitar. This has a kinda marijouna/island vibe. Even the way the vocals are delivered, are slowed down and relaxing. This music soothes me. I can close my eyes and listen to it and I feel calm and relaxed. Their ability to create this vibe at their live shows is part of why they have stood the test of time. They appeal to more of a hard rock crowd, but most hard rock never gives you the kinda calm release that 311 can.
But what i don't like that much anymore are songs like "Solar Flare". With the intense looping guitar riff mixed with the rap/rock style vocals. Kinda like their first hit and the song most casual fans remember "Down". That entire first album was filled with this kinda rap/rock music and they really were one of the first bands to do it at the time. I don't have that album, I had it but i traded it to Brandon. It was ok, but it gets boring really easy and they have a tendency to overloop their guitar riffs which aren't that exciting to begin with. Again, it is just my opinion but to me they are much better served when they go for the chill rather than this overdone sound.
After that misstep they get back on track with "Waiting" which is either my favourite or second favourite track on the disc. This has more of a dub sound than a reggae sound. It is a subtle difference, but you can pick it up in the way the song bounces and the way they utilize the bass. Terri really doesn't like 311 and the reason why is mostly the vocals. And I can totally see her point, vocally this band can grind on you sometimes. But when they do songs like this and aren't using their whiney rap/rock style vocals I think they are just fine. Somewhere between the more underground dub sound of Bedouin Soundclash and the totally mainstream dub/reggae vibe that Sublime gave off is where these more chill 311 songs fall. Quite frankly they aren't as good as either band but 311 is kinda like the Diet Coke of this style of music. It isn't as good, but it reminds you enough of the good parts of those other bands that you like it anyhow.
Ok only one more. I'm forcing myself to finish this review, but the computer screen isn't making me feel good at all. "Whisky And Whine" is currently winning the battle to be my favourite new 311 song. I think I might actually put this in the track fu Brandon is going to do next week. This song again abandons all that rap/rock bullshit and immerses itself into the ambient underwater dub/reggae style that i was talking about earlier. The acoustic guitar that is used throughout is something you don't hear a lot of in 311 songs, and it kinda gives it a hint of a spanish vibe. I actually think a lot of newer bands borrow from 311 (Linkin Park i'm looking in your general directions) and yet you never hear them being given credit for it anywhere. Instead people just give 311 flack. If it were me I woulda ended the album with this track because it has that kinda feel to it. I won't say too much more because I think I will put it in the track fu.
I'm going to again cite the degree of difficulty rule on this album. Meaning that though I enjoy the majority of the songs, and could see myself buying it. I have to keep in mind the lack of any sort of degree of difficulty in creating this sound and factor that into the final score. I really only ever would have scored one 311 album over an 8. Could I see myself scoring them like that again? Sure, if they were willing to put in the labour and the extra effort they did on "Galaxy". As it is now they kinda have things moving along on cruise control. Don't get me wrong I like the album, I just know that they have a better album in them. Maybe that chill vibe they give off isn't just in their music, but in their personalities as well. Maybe their record label isn't allowing them to experiment anymore. It could be a lot of things, but this album doesn't disappoint. It doesn't excite either. Another workmanlike effort from 311.
Songs to download: "Thank Your Lucky Stars", "Speak Easy", "Waiting", "Whiskey And Whine", "Getting Through To Her"
Score: 7.65
I have 311 albums I like better, and I have 311 albums I like worse. I feel like i'm growing away from this style of music a bit at least the rap/rock side of it. I still like it enough i'll likely buy it once the gravy train starts flowing again.
- Dan