311 Evolver CD

One of a plethora of long-lived bands to have realized the potential of a strong grassroots following, 311 had been pushing its particular amalgam of toke-friendly rock, funk, and rap for over a decade by EVOLVER's release. It finds the collective riding similar rhythms and mining similar lyrical veins to 2001's FROM CHAOS, the main difference being that this year's model sounds more confident and willing to take risks.

The lilting intro to "Crack the Code" presages a cruise through reggae, rap, and Californian punk rock influences, while "Beyond the Gray Sky" meanders soulfully along its jazzy, low-key path before climaxing in a cascade of neo-psychedelia. Speaking of which, "Seems Uncertain" confounds jaded expectations by steering just such a pastoral course through its entirety, eschewing the regulation collapse into thundering guitar amplitude. EVOLVER is full of such surprises.

311 are the grizzled graybeards of alternative music. For nearly ten years their funkified, left-field take on the rap-metal zeitgeist has been soundtracking dormitory keg parties -- that's a thousand lifetimes for some of these fly-by-night alt combos. In that stretch they've had their ups (1994's Grassroots) and their relative downs (the clunky Transistor), but they've always stayed creative, quietly building a reputation for consistency. In keeping with the band's creational verve and veteran status, Evolver at first seems to be their Statement Album, complete with a hilariously overwrought cover painting, and that snarky referential title. But it's a bit misleading because musically, the album turns out to be built from the usual 311 components. It's not their best work, but fans will enjoy it and there's little of the filler that's plagued the past few offerings. "Creatures [For a While]" is Evolver's "Come Original," its inescapable riff wrapped around stinging snare hits and S.A.'s endearing/annoying drop-ins. "Crack the Code" and "Sometimes Jacks Rule the Realm" account for the stylistic departure portion of the album, the former drifting lightly between dubby electronica and an S.A.-sung rasta rock lilt, the latter weaving acoustic guitar and echo around co-vocalist Nick Hexum's earnest lyricisms. Feel free to get a refill during these songs. However, with "Same Mistake Twice," an explosive standout, Evolver hits its best stretch, followed by "Still During" and "Give Me a Call." The tracks embody each tenet of 311's sound, from synth-based atmospherics through thick guitar chording, unique vocal phrasing, and bleary eyed reggae interpretation. Though it looks like a statement album, the prog masterpiece that the fizzling Transistor never was, Evolver is actually a rephrasing of what 311's always been saying. In a word, it's reliable. And isn't that what veterans are for? [A Japanese version added a bonus track.] ~ Johnny Loftus

Japanese edition of 2003 album, features 12 tracks including 1 exclusive bonus track, 'What Do You Do'. Volcano Records.

Japanese edition features a bonus song.

311: Nicholas Hexum (vocals, guitar); S.A. (vocals); Tim Mahoney (guitar); P-Nut (bass); Chad Sexton (drums, percussion).

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.