This is it, my 311th review posted on Epinions.com. “It’s been a wild ride, I wouldn’t change a minute, I cant slow down inside, guess that’s why I live it”. If you know where those lyrics are from, than you obviously have been rocking to this wonderful collection of music for sometime now; these are the lyrics of 311’s latest album: Evolver. It took me a while to get all of my thoughts down of this album, but I feel that I have a clear vision of what it was trying to accomplish, and how it succeeded immensely. Evolver was released a decade after the bands first major release “Music” that has since reached “Gold Status” according to the RIAA for selling over 500,000 copies. Each 311-studio album has acquired this title and Evolver looks to follow that trend selling roughly 125,000 in the first 2 weeks of release. It’s hit single: “Creatures (For a While)” has been on the Billboard top 10 for a few weeks now giving listeners a taste of something different. So what was the outcome this time 311 stepped up to the plate?

::311- Evolver::

I just wanted to announce that I bought this album the Thursday before it was supposed to be released. I got it July 17th and it was released on the 22nd. I listened to this album through and through and when it finally hit stores, I kept my promise and bought an additional two copies of it; one more for myself, and one for a music-lover. It’s a vow that many members of the 311 Hive (fan club) have taken in order to spread the love that 311 generates on each album.

311’s previous release: “From Chaos” sucked me right back into their music that I was absent from since their 1995 self-entitled album. I then bought all of their releases and have been a 311 fan since. So this was really the first 311 album that I was waiting to be released. But was the anticipation worth it?

The album opens with the hit single: “Creatures” a hard-rocker with a vintage feel throughout the bridge. It’s a song about letting go, and relieving stress; a song that shows the human side of 311 and how they too have emotions that they sometimes become slaves to. This was a risky choice for a single because it’s a bit different than what you might hear on the radio; but that’s why it’s getting so much airplay, because people want to hear something different and 311 does that every time.

Track two is a song entitled: “Reconsider Everything”. This was one of the songs that they debuted at one of their tours last summer. I was lucky enough to hear it first. I waited a year to hear the studio version and my patience paid off in a big way. This song is simply amazing; although not as lyrically deep as some other songs on this album, it is still a song that will get you up and going. The opening guitar riff is played by Nick Hexum (lead singer, guitar), followed in by Tim Mahoney (guitar). Although this song has an odd structure, it still plays up to be a great song to drive along with, and getting yourself energized before an eight-hour shift at work. It’s also a song that I look forward to hearing live again this summer on their tour.

Crack The Code seems to be the track that I keep going back to. It’s message translates into relationship terms as cracking someone’s code; getting to understand them and why they feel and act like they do. Nick and SA (vocals) trade lyrics back and forth, mostly singing, but SA has his points of lighter rapping. It has a dancehall/rocker side to it and is really something special to listen to; this may be my favorite track on the album, although there are plenty more than grab me just as much as this song.

Every year there are a handful music gems that are released. Well, there is a handful on this CD along, get the picture? That’s right, this album is just getting started.

The next track on the album is called: “Same Mistake Twice”. It has a killer chorus that just rocks, but is anything but a lyrical masterpiece. This of course was not the intention of the song, it was more of a tribute to the clash as Nick has stated in the past. It has a punk/rock feel to it, but it seems that this song is built around the chorus and may rely on it too much. It’s still a blast to listen to; a fun track indeed. I do have to point out that this song is great to start playing at red lights while driving, people look at you like you’re tough or something.

Now come the big guns. “Beyond The Grey Sky” can be summed up in one word: extraordinary. It starts out slow with Tim Mahoney’s signature guitar playing; he also contributed the song writing on this one. This song is about a friend of Nick’s that committed suicide a year ago. It’s about understanding their reasons for doing it; certainly an emotional piece. It’s been said that Nick can’t sing this in concert without getting choked up. Although it’s a softer piece, it gets heavy around the chorus, and at the end, where the lyrics are rightfully thought as touching:

“I can’t believe you didn’t call
What made you want to end it all
Wasn’t there something I should have tried?
To help you see beyond the gray sky”

“Seems Uncertain” is the middle track on the album, it’s a nice break for a halfway point. The songs message is clear: people are always dividing up because “No one’s excited, Unless they are divided”. It started off as an acoustic guitar and has a hip hop sample throughout most of the song; it definitely has unique feel to it, and once again, a feel that only 311 can pull off. This song should be a call to all human beings that we should unite and come together, rather than be separated by our differences; both lyrically and musically a beautiful song.

The next song is entitled: “Still Dreaming”. It begins with various chimes and sounds, but enters in with a heavy opening verse by Nick. It has one of the longer rap verses by SA on this one, and it definitely gives this song it’s signature. Nick describes this song as close to the feeling of the bands forth album: “Transistor”. I tend to disagree, I think that this song has a sound of its own that has it’s own feel to it.

Next comes the song with a slight reggae feel to it, but as the song goes on, it becomes a rocker that scores in a big way. “Give Me a Call”. This song is simply a blast to listen to because of the way it’s sung and the pre-chorus will have you bobbing your head. Tim Mahoney’s heavy guitar riffs are throughout most of the song. The thing I love about this song is that during the bridge, it features a steel drum! Talk about going out and doing something different.

Starting off with a funky slap bass by P-Nut, reminiscent of Transistor’s What Was I Thinking. “Don’t Dwell” is a shorter song than you would expect from this album; but I can see it being as a great single. Nick wrote the song around P-Nut bass line that he created during the studio sessions. It’s about not dwelling in a relationship and that if you look at the past and harp on it, than it can only hurt you.

“The Other Side Of Things” starts off as sounding like Grassroots’ Offbeat Bare*ss. Nick actually raps on this one although the rest of the album his lyrics are sung for the most part. The chorus is one of the catchiest on the entire album. Definitely one for the concert scene; can’t wait to hear it live. It sounds a lot like their older stuff, but at the same time, it seems that they have a foot walking into the future on this one.

The final song on the album is probably their most ambitious track to date. “Sometimes Jacks Rule The Realm”. It’s the most acoustic track on the album. Clocking in at over five minutes, this is more of a journey than a song. There are two parts to the song, the beginning has a depressed sounding side and once the guitar comes in, has a whole new look at life. This song will give you wings and uplift you from whatever mood you may be in; at least that’s what I got from it. It’s too hard to explain this song musically, very different structure to how it was done, but definitely not one to skip even though it’s slower.

Then we have the outro to the album called “Coda”. It’s not featured as a track but was written the bassist last minute. It features a soft bassline that is hypnotizing and the vibraphone, which gives this piece, the right touch to end off a very beautiful and meaningful album.

Looking back on Evolver, I can confidentially say that it has to be their best work in years. It touches many bases of suicide, relationships, hate, life, and judging others. It wins on every level that I can think of and aside from taking a step forward, they also touch upon a sound that they had back in the days of “Music” and “Grassroots”. It’s a hybrid of their old and their next music. Definitely an interesting mix.

So here’s a word to the nay-sayers. 311 is not a sublime knock-off, or a ska-punk band that likes to rap. They paved the way for such talent as Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park to come along. 311 brought that to the stage and I believe that they have an even more unique mixture this time around; bringing you some of the most beautiful and fun to listen to tracks of their careers. So those that still say: “uh…..all their stuff sounds like that song ‘Down’”, here’s proof that 311 has, and always will mix it up every time. See for yourself, and then see if you can criticize them.

To the future 311! Rock on.

311 is:

Nick Hexum: Vocals, Guitar
Chad Sexton: Drums
P-Nut: Bass
SA: Vocals
Tim Mahoney: Guitar


Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Getting ready to go out