 | Tracklist:
1. Hey You
2. It's Alright
3. Mix It Up
4. Golden Sunlight
5. India Ink
6. Daisy Cutter
7. Too Much Too Fast
8. Never Ending Summer
9. Two Drops In The Ocean
10. Something Out Of Nothing
11. Jackpot
12. My Heart Sings
*13. I Like The Way
*14. Get Down
Release Date: 06/02/2009 | |
| | other reviews | PointDemo (3.5)
With a unified and unmistakable sound, the band soothes the feathers it once ruffled.... | Ben Borneman (3)
"Is that the best you can give me?"... |
On 5 Lists
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| Summary: No substance, no style. Hopefully, they'll take my copy back with a receipt. |
2 of 4 thought this review was well written
311. Those of us who know revere their live show. We have all the albums, journey to New Orleans every other year, and accept that we will be made fun of for our bumper stickers, usually including some variations on "Namaste" as well as the 311 logo. We are loyal, happy, and frequently altered.
I proudly consider myself a member of this sub-culture, but I can't join in on the love-fest for Uplifter. The 311 forums are filled with otherwise smart people who feel that 311 outdid themselves this time. I think they are very mistaken.
Everyone knows that Nick Hexum can't write lyrics; no-one is shocked by a few terrible lines. On this album however, he contributes nothing of value. His vocal style and general positive nature let him skate through on earlier releases, but Uplifter seems to have cut out all the "OK" lines. Furthermore, the only saving grace of Don't Tread On Me, the immediate prior album, was SA Martinez stepping up as a vocalist and songwriter. His virtual absence on this travesty only highlights Nick's poor lyrical choices.
Musically, well, it's 311. The tracks are written and performed solidly, although the flat production and heavy use of overdubs make them sound like any other radio fixture. Bob Rock is known for sucking out the uniqueness, and he does no less here. I can only hope that this is what the band wanted. A side note, I loved the production of "St. Anger" in spite of the terrible songwriting, and I wish that this album sounded more raw and live. 311 is a live band first and foremost, so why resort to studio trickery and overdubs so much?
I can't listen to Hey You again. It's too terrible. The saving graces, such as they are, on this album come on the Blue Album sounding Jackpot, the happy cheese-reggae of Daisy Cutter, and the SA heavy Something Out of Nothing. Somehow, the only real SA track on the album sounds like the only one they mean, even with the cheesy lyrics. That was always the trick to 311; they were heartfelt about feeling good and being in love with life. On this album, they sound in love with a radio playlist and their pitch correction software.
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"frequently altered"?
Digging: Neon Indian - Psychic chasms
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"recommended by reviewer
Linkin Park Meteora"
can no longer take anything you say seriously.
Digging: Poison The Well - The Tropic Rot
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why the hell is meteora recommended?
Digging: Clint Mansell & Kronos Quartet - The Fountain
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I know a guy who likes 311 & Linkin Park.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Lol I know it's cool to hate on 311 but this album is not a 1.5, sir.
Digging: mewithoutYou - Brother, Sister | | | Album Rating: 3.5
NEG NEG NEG NEG NEG!
Digging: Beastie Boys - Licensed To Ill | | | Album Rating: 5
and i bet you're one of those people that thought, "311 sold out with Don't Tread on Me".
Stop trying so hard to hold on to the past. I know your kind.
You were the high school stoner that just loved listening to 311 back in the day. It made you feel like a rebel, being blazed and listening to some solid music that was unlike anything.
Only the world kept turning, while you were stuck in your reverie. And now you don't know where you fit, and the only thing you can do is attack things for progressing and leaving you behind.
Yeah, it doesn't fit your tastes? Well i don't care.
So how about you stop wasting your time under rating things to give you some sense of purpose. It is you that deserve the 1.5, not 311.
Digging: AFI - Crash Love | | | Album Rating: 1.5
I referenced Meteora due to the sonic similarities between the two albums. I feel that if you enjoy one, you are likely to enjoy the other, not because I like Linkin Park. Otherwise, I feel that you guys summed me up perfectly; my own family does not know me as well as you do from this one album review. Thanks for showing me a good time, trolls, but I stand by what I say. This was the worst album made by 311.
By the way, I liked most of DTOM, with the exceptions being Frolic Room and Thank Your Lucky Stars. You would probably know this if you read what I wrote.
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