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I feel that I have to start this out with a disclaimer; I’m a huge 311 fan. There is a very good chance that my opinion about anything they put out is going to be biased seeing as they are my favorite band. You can take that for what it’s worth and I hope that instead of discounting my point of view because of it…you’ll feel that being a fan for 16 of the band’s 19 year history gives me at least a little credit to write this and gives you some energy to get off your ass and check out 311’s music.
I realize that a majority of the faithful ‘Obnoxious Listeners’ may have never heard of 311 (said Three-Eleven). And those of you who have heard 311 more than likely have only heard a few of their “hits”…mostly tracks off their self-title album, 311 A.K.A. The Blue Album, as this is what helped propel the band to mainstream success in 1995. I can’t say that I don’t love that disc, because I do…but what I want to focus on is introducing you to the latest 311 sound.
Uplifter (2009) is 311’s ninth studio album. I’ve been rockin’ the CD for just over two months now and it grows on me every time I listen. The tracks that I wanted to hate on after my first listen have grown on me quite nicely. And the tracks that I liked from the start are now running through my head on almost a daily basis and will go down in my history to represent the summer of 2009.
Other than a few very unique, signature sounds, 311 has always added in and mixed up new styles on each new release. Uplifter may be a slight exception to that rule and I feel that makes it one of their best releases to date. A fusion of their reggae-pop-rock sound that is set apart from previous releases with a large dose of – dare I say on this site – simplicity. Rather than following their normal formula of just throwing all of the past in to a pot, adding a little bit of this and a little bit of that and stirring - the songs show that they have selectively removed a bit of their past chaos, gotten rid of the experimental song structures, and added in quality…not quantity.
It almost goes without saying that there is no real way for me to translate how the music of Uplifter makes me feel into words that will equal the thoughts that you will have about it. That’s why I invite you to check out Uplifter in full, and not just once… give it several listens to settle in so your ear can hear the layers. Only you can decide – and similar to even a big 311 fan like me…it might take some time for this music to grow on you. But I think that given a chance, you’ll like what you hear. 311 brings a sonic assault that is like none other and I hope you are drawn in to the positive vibe.
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