311 and their lack of an actual genre (wiki lists them as alt rock, rap metal, rap rock, funk rock, ska punk and reggae) are back with their new album "Uplifter". I'm not a massive 311 fan but anything with an upbeat draws me in so I picked up this 13 track album off of I-tunes. The album as a whole is relatively mellow in feeling although they do have a few rocking songs ("India Ink," "Something Out of Nothing", and their single "Hey You"). The songs flow well from one to another but I can't say that anything really sticks out and grabs you which I feel hurts it a bit. Also its general mellow feel doesn't lend it to be in high rotation. It's one of those "I'm in the mood for this" albums. Hardcore 311 fans probably love it but for the casual listener it doesn't really provide any wow factor.
Grade: 72 (C-)
I'm sorry, but I can not stand the lead singers voice. I have been inundated with 311 living in Bricktown, NJ and having all of my friends be die hards. I do not understand it. It is like they try to take solid reggae beats, and mix it in with terrible lyrical skills, a lead singer with an annoying voice, and a mixture of strange synthesizer sounds, all creating a type of music that to me is unlistenable. The worst part is some of their older stuff is not that bad and when I first heard them, being the "smoker" that I am, I thought it had a decent chance to be pretty sweet. Unfortunately I have not been impressed at all with anything recent they have come out with.
ReplyDeleteYours truly,
Mr MoJo Risin