(Re-reviewed because it sucked.)
After taking a little break 311 comes back with Don't Tread on Me. A venture future into the voids that Evolver touched. Filled with classic moments and new boundaries 311 dares to go out on the limb and dabble in some pop influences, which in all doesn't sound kill it.
1. Don't Tread on Me
Starting the album off with the namesake proves to be a solid idea. With the desperado intro to the laid-back reggae groove they are solid at. Nick lays his vocals down nice and smooth that blends with the music for a buttery mix. The vocals soon switch to S.A. who is all right but leads the song into a well-needed rock out section with Nick. The transition from there to the course doesn't flow that well. They soon follow through to a kind of "break down" will be the word I'll use it just sounds the bass and drum set with Nick singing. It's an all right segment but I believe it wasn't needed. The ending wasn’t that grand either. 4/5
2. Thank Your Lucky Stars
The song has a very driving riff along with S.A. singing. His voice is beautiful however I prefer him to rap with it. The songs geography is also pretty much flat with some hills at points. Eventually you get to the rock out section that will get you jumping and dancing and then you are lead back to the course. It's a strong second song. 4/5
3. Frolic Room
Frolic Room has a very college party feel and sound. The lyrics and Nick voice once again make this song like butter. The course is quite bland with the music but the vocals are beautiful. S.A. singing is amazing once again but I miss him rapping. All in all, Frolic Room is acceptable but not a highlight. 3/5
4. Speak Easy
A very soft and beautiful song with S.A. begging and Nick taking over after a while. During the course S.A. and Nick harmonize and create beauty. Tim's guitar work during the bridge is quite nice and gives it that grand smooth feel. Bad ending though. 3.5/5
5. Solar Flair
Solar Flair is one of the weird songs where they shouldn't be on the CD; however, I will not let that dictate the score. From the begging of the weird guitar bass and drum effects to the last cord this is a driving and powerful song, bridging back to the days of Transistor and Blue. The slow melodic rapping and singing style makes it a perfect song to sing along at a concert. Out of the blue here's a fact, Solar Flair is the only 311 song that is 3:11 long. This is one my favorites out of the album. 5/5
6. Waiting
Kicking off with a sweet beat on the snare and barber shop esque vocals by Nick and S.A. They highlight of this song is the vocals of Nick and S.A. and Tim's solo. It's one of the better songs that most people would skip over. 3/5
7. Long For the Flowers
Long For the Flowers was a song cut from Transistor and reworked for Don't Tread On Me. I'm pretty thankful they did it too. The main guitar riff just grabs you into listening. The course is amazing with the guitar harmonics and S.A. and Nicks singing is just gravy. The bass break before the last course with the guitar ambiance and effects is a simple but generates a lot of energy, leading up to a small guitar solo for Tim. Only real negative is the fact that there are not a lot of lyrics to this great song. 4/5
8. Getting Through to Her
A channeling song to write about, molestation. The lyrics are pretty good however I can't help but focus on the music more, which I would believe is not their original intent. I don't want to sound bad but out of the song this is one of my least favorites. It's good, but it's not the best. It's just weird. 2.5/5
9. Whiskey and Wine
Staring with a beauty of a guitar fill leading with S.A. and Nick's harmonized voice. The verses are all right; the highlight is Nick's part and the course. This song is along the ranks of Amber and Flowing. 3.5/5
10. It's Getting Ok Now
It's getting Ok Now was the song I was hoping to be like Solar Flair but I was slightly disappointed, S.A. is a great singer it's just I wanted to hear him rap and I don't. The rocking music of this song saves it from a 2.5 but doesn't save it too much. 3/5
11. There's Always an Excuse
Like Transistor, and Evolver, Don't Tread On Me ends with what I dub a "grand song" A song that just has this feel like it's a journey. It's a great closer for an album with somewhat success. Nothing really bad about this song other than the transitions. 4/5
12. Little Brother (iTunes bonus Track)
This is by far the best track on Don't Tread On Me. Oh wait. I was extremely disappointed that this wasn't on the album. Seriously. This like Solar Flair takes it's roots back to Blue and early albums and also adding their new touches. The only thing that is really bad about this song is the ending, but this song deserves what I'm giving it. Listen to it trust me. 5/5
All in all, 311 never gets old, by doing that they are, they add more flavor. To those who think that have lost touch with their roots take a look, how successful would they be if they kept releasing Blue or Music. Not that successful. 311 is growing and become more mature and part of that process is finding new sounds. I would personally give it a 5/5 however, as a reviewer I give it a 3.5/5 They haven't perfected this new sound and they need to work with it more.
