311 are sputtering in this entry point * * 1/2 STARS

Ive simply been enthusiastic as usual that 311 still put out albums long after there relavence has been shot and none of their albums brink on bad, misteps yes a few but they've never really made anything bad.Evolver is still decent but at best its standard 311. the usual smooth hooks vocal interplay of hexum is there and thankfully Martinez is finally dropping the rapping which has gotten tiresome over the years. But its same old story on Evolver. The earnesty is higher though instead of there usual ryhmes boasting about how good they are this is there most introspective lyrically album yet. I guess the evolution is where its at. but the music is mostly underwhelming. The usual quasi-metal quasi-reggae...expcet the guiatrs are sadly workshop riffs which dont as fresh as they once did. songs like "beyond the grey skies" and "sometimes jacks rule the realm" move beyond the formuls engsaging rythyms and unique guitar interplay. but the rest is predictable, "same mistake twice" builds on a ctachy chorus and rythyms and chord progression, and "dont dwell" kicks in a slap bass rythym which is signature. It seems there going back to there roots. but at this rate in the game there experimenting would be welcome now more than ever.

311 keeps up the good work

I have been a fan of 311 for some time and always anticipate their next release, watch their live dvd all too often, rock them in my car always, and have not been disappointed to date. I must say, their sound just keeps maturing with each new release, in fact, I wouldn't mind a little de-maturation with the next release, if that makes any sense. Well, if you're looking for the definition of a mature sound, check out Evolver. It is interesting to compare this CD to the older releases by 311.



On this album, both the lyrics and the music has reached a new level. It isn't the classic fast-paced rock 'em up rap-core style that we're used to, which in my opinion, isn't a bad thing. Change is always good. You will have your handful of people who "claim" to be 311 fans and will call them sell-outs with a release like Evolver, but i couldn't disagree more. They've carried on with a lot of the sounds from From Chaos with songs like "Crack the Code", "Reconsider Everything", and even "Creatures". But they've also brought a whole new range of sounds to the table with songs like "Sometimes Jacks Rule the Realm", "Beyond the Grey Sky", "Seems Uncertain", the list goes on. I think these songs portray a sound we have never heard from 311 before, the closest you will come to it is the songs from Transistor, but it is still different. And I will be the first to say, this new sound they've produced, they've done it very well.



Evolver is not a CD I will pop in if I'm looking to head-bang around and flow with S.A. But if I want some flat out good music, it is one of my first considerations. This CD has a pretty slow mood to it, with a few here and there that speed it up. They've reached a new sound, and a new level lyrically. The lyrics on Evolver are pretty darn good. 311 has moved from singing about being pulled over and having weed in the car...to singing a pretty deep song about a friend dying, etc. It's all a maturation process. But don't worry, they still mix in those classic 311 lyrics we all love as well.



I think I've said all I can about this gem of a CD. 311 can put together some good stuff, Evolver is no exception. I'm looking forward to the next release and I hope you all out there are too.



Thank you 311 for all these years of truly wonderful music.

FTB!!! Demand that Amazon list ALL these great albums!!!

311 has put out some really great albums over the last decade +, but if you are learning of this band for the first time as a result of your visit to Amazon.com, keep in mind that there is one excellent album that they've left off the list. I am willing to give the benefit of the doubt and say that it was a minor oversite on their part, however, I'm more inclinded to believe that Amazon has sold out to the "politically correct" crap thats infected most of America. Since the album is called "Dammit" (SHOCK, HORROR! I've never heard such language, but I also don't turn on the radio, television or leave the house!), and one of the song title contains the dreaded "F-word" and the "BS word", Amazon seems to have decided that we can't decide whether or not we'd like to listen to it. They'll warn us as to "explicit" lyrics, and for some other groups that have explicit language in their song titles, they'll just block out the words, but still list the song. This one they just decided to leave off altogether . . .the whole ALBUM.



Get a clue, Amazon, the only people that give a crap about explicit lyrics are the people that are going to whine and cry whether you put them on your site or not. You want people to respect you and spend money, show them you've got a set!



This is the kind of "BS" 311 was referring to. You don't get to make up our minds!