Lead single вЂњSunset in JulyвЂќ is the perfect radio friendly summer anthem: solid production, a catchy hook, innocuous upbeat lyrics, floating vocals and some scat thrown in for good measure. Hexum explores the lessons he learned from his drug days over a Caribbean/ska groove on вЂњTroubleвЂќ, only to come to the conclusion that the problem was the six inches between his ears, вЂњThe bullshit, the trouble was coming from me, honestlyвЂќ. The raging alt rock is bolstered by S.A.вЂ™s hip-hop interludes and a funk solo from lead guitarist Tim Mahoney. вЂњWhere would be/Without the Wild nights/Barely getting by/The days of getting highвЂќ. вЂњWild NightвЂќ continues the party with drug fueled nostalgia. sing/rap interplay, and a chorus of вЂњLet me introduce you to the excitable crew/This is just how we do/Ticking like a Time Bomb, watch me go offвЂќ. Rolling Stone, a publication that has never given the band a three star rating or higher, described the album as вЂњblunt, dimwitted, (and) completely formulaicвЂќ.ДЄlbum opener вЂњTime BombвЂќ kicks off the retro 311 love fest with upbeat guitars, Nick Hexum and S.A.

Detractors, on the other hand, will point to the same old frat dude reggae rock and lame lyrics of pseudo-philosophy and self-adulation. Clocking in at less than 30 minutes and with only eight songs, there is little room for dub inspired filler (see Transistor) or forays into indie rock influences ( Uplifter). For fans, this material represents a return to form - the tightest, most focused album in years. Their 10th studio release, Universal Pulse, does little to bridge the divide. So maybe polarizing is another word to describe 311. Musically, depending on whom you ask, 311 puts out a consistently infectious melding of rock, reggae and rap or they continue to put out a formulaic, white middle-America hijacking of said genres. despite only moderate mainstream success, and even rapper/turntablist S.A.вЂ™s MartinezвЂ™s on-stage dance moves havenвЂ™t changed. The Nebraska alt rockers have had the same lineup since 1992, continue to sell out arenas around the U.S.

If there is one word to describe rap/funk metal fusionists 311, it is consistency.

311 transistor album list