Hi, this is my first cd review so i thought i'd do it on my favorite band of all time, 311. This review is on their multi-platinum self entitled album from 1995. I believe this is my favorite album of all time, but all of their albums are truly amazing, all of them. So here's my review.
Down 5/5: The first of three hit singles, Down was probably their launch pad for success. It has the perfect blend of rap from SA Martinez, powerful distortion from tim and nick, dope drums basslines, and catchy chorus from nick. This song is great all around, and is for me personally the song that got me into 311. They play this song at literally every concert they play at and always gets the crowd pumped.
Random 4/5: I love the drum intro to this song. After that SA comes in with a very melodic verse, then nick comes in with sa for another catchy verse. THe rap in this is very cool too. I think this song is flawless except for when after the chorus sa comes in with "to be the only one it's not that hard" it doesn't seem to fit, but while still adding a nice flavor to the tune.
Jack-o-Lantern's Weather 3/5: It's hard to say things about this song that won't be identical to others on the album. I gotta give props to SA and Nick's rap and catchy chorus. If you listen to miT and Nut on this song they are riffing like mad, same with chad. Just something about the song makes it impossible for me to give it a perfect rating. SA's freestyle on this isn't up to his par i don't think, but i still absolutely love this song. The break at the end of the song is so great.
All Mixed Up 4/5: Let's see, this song has got the funk, rap,rock, melody, and message. All of 311's ingredients. In this song Nick says "you've got to trust your instincts, and let go of regret, you got to bet on yourself now star, cause thats your best bet." Another one of 311's positive and great songs. The only thing i dont like about this song is that it's get pretty repetitive. But otherwise, awesome song.
Hive 5/5: Oh man, such a rockin' song, one of my personal favs from this album. They just recently started playing this song live again with "2005 still goin' for the hive" as the opener for it. Nick and SA's lyrics are so in your face. SA has so many tounge twisters in here you gotta read the lyrics to understand him. The instrumentals are pretty straightfoward, but good notheless. Definetely a classic.
Guns (are for pussies) 3/5: This song has been retired live for a few years now, nick's reasons for it was that it's message isn't what they wanna do anymore. But i think this song has a positive message. Just read the title. I love this guitar and bass in this, and especially the drums in the chorus, although pretty simple. Though this song rubs me the wrong way, dont really care much for it, but i still like it.
Misdirected Hostililty 4/5: Like Hive, they've recently started playing this live again, and im so glad. Drums on this are amazing, as with most of their songs. Another very very positive song. Nick also talks about him getting over doing cocaine and getting cleaner. (still loves his weed) The flow of this song is so dope, always gets the crowd grooving, A weird intro with nick and sa doing like, "boo a bow" or something, aboslutely love it.
Purpose 4/5: Their first slow song on the album, well, it starts out slow, but then picks up. I think the part where nick goes "whenever you come back i'll be waiting" thats where i get chills cause i picture them doing it live, but a very funky track here.
Loco 5/5: I LOVE THIS TRACK SO MUCH! The pre chorus is about trippin on mushrooms, but this song is up beat. The pre chorus is a little choppy i think, but other than that, this song is amazing. The chorus automatically gets you jumping. I think this is musically is the most difficult song on this album to play. Guitar and bass riff for days and the drums are so crazy with the change ups. Always a crowd pleaser.
Brodels 2.5/5: I hate rating a 311 song that low althought i respect this song and it does get me bobbing my head, i aboslutely HATE the chorus. I think they try to be to hard on this track. They make "the nazz" out to be something special, but don't really explain it. Anyway, yeah, very heavy instruments on this track.
Don't Stay Home 5/5: The drums TOTALLY OWN THIS TRACK. WIth an outstanding intro to the track and an amazing solo. This song all around is completely flaweless. Also have to give big credit to the lyrics and guitar and bass on this one. The song is about nick saying to get off your ass and do something with your life, and regretting him not doing that. Amazing song.
DLMD 4/5: Once again, i love this song, I love SA's part on this song as well as Nick's. The only part i don't like is the last part where nick repeats "If you hurt her again I'll *** you up" numerous times. It's obvious he was letting out much frustration, but i think it's forced.
Sweet 4/5: This song is very very awesome. This song once again is about a girl nick is trying to help out in a time of struggle. The chorus in this song is very unexpected and catches you off guard a little bit, SA goes very deep in it but it's very good still. I always laugh my ass of when i hear nick get mixed up in his wording when he says "i am the guy could that give you the most." The solo in this starts out very funky but then gets a mean distortion on it and tim just rages out on it.
T&P Combo 5/5: Tied with Hive as my favorite song on this album. Everything about this song is amazing. SA's freestyle still blows my mind everytime i hear this song. Then Nick sings on what i guess is the pre-chorus, which is very aggressive. During the last part nick says "we hauled a van with an army, it was a bad call, it all went up in flames but i haven't seen it all." Referring to the time when the band's RV got fire and nick was the last one to escape. The instrumentals are very good on this song too. The chorus sounds difficult but it's not. It's just hitting the e string and alternating between playing an F and F# on the e string. Very awesome song.
Overall: Like i said, most of the time this is my favorite 311 album. It takes me back to the time in my life where i first got into 311 and i would kill to be able to go back to that time so i could follow the band's success from transistor - DTOM more closely now that im older. Please rate this review, i dont know if it's as good as some other being as it is my first review. Hopefully i'll learn from your comments and be albe to write a better review next time. "Stay positive and love your life" -311
