A beautiufl departure from the ordinary

This record is bliss. I find the beats and rhythms stellar, while the songs transport me to different places, like new psychedelic fantasies, or voyages into the realm of rock eccentricity. This album was way ahead of its time when it came out in 1997. 311 found their artistic niche I believe with Transistor, and they went against a lot of expectations by the mainstream audience and disapproving media who wanted another "blue album", a nice record itself, but not as artistic or musical as this one. Such trivial criticism must be taken lightly when judging an art form, for we all have our own subjective tastes, and our own separate definitions of what good music must sound like. You sort of have to feel it out for yourself, and see if it rubs you the right or wrong way. (For too many others, they wanted the same thing that came before)

To me Transistor feels like the future of music, combining many styles, and infusing skilled instrumental play with ambient progressions of vocals, melodies, and song ideas.

If 311 ever decide to follow such an abstract direction again, then they will truly shatter the limitations of fear that many "musical mediators" try and use to weigh down recording artists that have made it big. I don't believe there's anything wrong with going agaisnt the flow (sometimes it's needed), and 311 displayed this by writing what they wanted.

I give a lot of respect to them for pushing the envelope and having this much ambition. I cannot wait to hear what's in store next.

Celestial Being

what 311 has done with this album is a milestone in music. the melodies and atomosphere they create are nothing short of amazing. lyrics that speak of different energies within their positive ideal make them invincible to negativity and an inspiration to all. open you mind and expand!

I AGREE BEST 311

THIS IS THE QUINTESSENTIAL 311 ALBUM. TRUST ME- IF YOU WANT TO GET A 311 CD- GET THIS ONE. GREAT MUSIC- SONGS FLOW PERFECTLY INTO ONE-ANOTHER- GREAT GREAT SONGS!

THE ABSOLUTE BEST 311!

1. Transistor - catchy lyrics and some good guitar parts; the end is nice :) ***



2. Prisoner - Spacey feel, great song. *****



3. Galaxy - Building intro., then Tim and Nick trade guitars while S.A. crushes the mic in 2 killer raps. ****



4. Beautiful Disaster - First single, classic sound, rocking end, overall quite nice. ****



5. Inner Light Spectrum - Absolutely amazing use of instruments and vocals here. Very trippy and spacey. One of S.A.'s best slow vocals. *****



6. Electricity - This song was originally titled, "F%$k the KKK." Good guitars and positive, unifying lyrics. ****



7. What Was I Thinking - P-Nut owns this song. Original slap-bass intro. leading into slammin' guitar. Nick's voice is really distorted on this one, but not too hard to decipher. *****



8. Jupiter - Another spacey intro., Nick and S.A. trade positivity, ends w/ great guitar. ***



9. Use Of Time - Cream of the Transistor crop. Absolutely amazing. Great value, amazing soloing. Must hear. *****



10. The Continuous Life - Dreary feeling intro. leading into S.A. rapping slowly. Guitars and vocals pick up and lead into sweet chorus. ****



11. No Control - Odd sounding beginning w/ Nick describing how a person w/ so much can still be depressed. S.A. flies in w/ a new guitar sound, nice chorus. Original. ****



12. Running - Tim and Nick trade guitars again while S.A. sings about not regretting anything. Catchy chorus. Great guitars. ****



13. Color - Instrumental. ***



14. Light Years - Creepy guitars and odd lyrics. Interesting though. ***



15. Creature Feature - I hardly listen to this one. It's probably the worst on Transistor. Kinda bland. *



16. Tune In - Good harmonizing and nice guitar breakdown. Energizing. ***



17. Rub A Dub - A really nice island vibe song. Makes you wanna dance. ****



18. Starshines - Guitars are mediocre and lyrics are weird. Takes a while to get into. Outro leads into next song's intro. ***



19. Strangers - Bubbly guitar sound, nice flow, cool lyrics, just chill. ****



20. Borders - Rockin' guitars throughout. S.A. and Nick trade raps w/ good lyrics. Chorus is alright. ****



21. Stealing Happy Hours - Another one of those really relaxing, trippy songs. Great CD ender. Guitars are traded well in this mellow piece of art. *****



-All of these songs sound real nice on headphones too.

-My favorite CD of all time.

-Go purchase it NOW.