Song for Being Single Again for a Guy 311
311 is one of the biggest cult bands in America, whether you love or detest them.
They have their own vacation (March 11, natch), their ain vape pen (the Grassroots Uplifter, natch) and their own Caribbean prowl (the 311 Caribbean Prowl, natch) — and for almost a decade they exercised a consequent-if-mild power over rock radio. (Few other rap-rock bands could exist described as "consistent" in whatsoever way over the quickly changing landscape of trends.)
And like most multi-platinum bands, even poorly reviewed ones, they have a bunch of good songs that translate to more than but diehard-friendly if you wait difficult enough. Though y'all don't have to wait terribly hard because many of these did cease up on the radio.
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Here are the Omaha, Nebraska, quintet's finest moments.
ten. "Prisoner" (from Transistor, 1997)
The slack-key guitar effect permeating some of the dubbier experiments on 1997'southward troubled Transistor has its corny, souvenir-store charms best heard on the album's second single. Both Nick Hexum and S.A. Martinez manage to migrate pleasantly over the easy-skanking melody of "Prisoner" and its sorta-powerful chorus with soulful carelessness even if "Twilight Zone, Twilight Zone, I'yard floating in the dark alone" won't even make sense to the stoned. That goes double for the video, which proves once and for all these ii should never, always dance.
9. "I'll Exist Here Awhile" (from From Chaos, 2001)
311 are fun-loving marijuana-mainliners, but their music, while often lightweight, is usually encumbered with complicated structures that typically feel besides leaden to really brand them the cakewalk they desire to be. From Anarchy' closer, though, is blessedly calorie-free, only a straight-up ska melody. Information technology plays like the great weight of another overworked 311 anthology is lifted from its shoulders then those who trudged through it can finally party. And they actually accept kept their promise to be here awhile, "ain't going nowhere."
viii. "Amber" (from From Chaos, 2001)
The group's biggest striking, like "I'll Be Here Awhile" from the aforementioned album, hones in on their least complicated plusses. This overwhelmingly positive and hippie-mystical were long overdue for a sweet love vocal hooked to a pretentious lyric, and their studies of reggae grooves vastly outpace their hip-hop knowledge. It's like Coldplay'south "Yellow" for hacky-sack bros.
seven. "Life's Not a Race" (from Soundsystem, 1999)
In case you're noticing a pattern, this rap-rock band's best songs aren't usually rap-stone at all, and they tend to shine brightest when they're trying something else entirely. Instance in point: This easy-grooving War or Santana homage from 1999'due south Soundsystem is a refreshing bone to throw their jam-band audience, even with some ripping guitar solos, and the night guitar counterpoint that pierces the chorus from beneath is legitimately disturbing.
6. "Purpose" (from 311, 1995)
311'southward cocky-titled quantum album is their hookiest and least convoluted, and then even the deep cuts are poppy enough to ensure listenability, which tin can hardly be said for say, Stereolithic. The well-harmonized melody of "Purpose" is actually downright lovely, one of Nick Hexum's all-time, and each of the verses climaxes with an intergalactic guitar lead that ranks among their best (and simplest!) riffs. It's enough to brand you believe in their purpose, baby.
5. "Creatures (For a While)" (from Evolver, 2003)
Rapper S.A. Martinez is sometimes the weak link in 311, but he harmonizes well with Nick Hexum so they practice it on nigh every song, and the locked-in 2003 single "Creatures" is the rare aggro moment for this band where all clocks are in sync and the riffs and chorus legitimately bangs. Information technology's also a reminder that for quasi-rap-metal, they really don't sound like whatsoever other band. They'd be so good if they were capable of firing on all cylinders like this all the time.
four. "Running" (from Transistor, 1997)
Transistor is simultaneously 311's virtually tantalizing prospect and their about disappointing slog. At 21 tracks, these wildly eclectic purveyors of mildly metal funk were finally permitted to run wild with their expansive tape collections, which must exist loaded with Lee "Scratch" Perry and King Tubby because they're easily the near dub-obsessed difficult rock band since Bad Brains (whose "Leaving Babylon" they'd continue to cover in 1999). If that sounds like a juxtaposition that won't work very well, you're not incorrect, but perchance due to police force of averages, Transistor contains a scattering of the band'southward absolute all-time songs always nonetheless, and should you peruse all 21 tracks xx years later, the perfectly enjoyable and sticky "Running" is the subconscious gem among the pile of ideas and riffs that never truly made it to the finish line. It's even got a jazzy-Aerosmith guitar solo in the middle that doesn't sound out of place.
3. "All Mixed Up" (from 311, 1995)
Following the catchy breakthrough hit "Down," it was "All Mixed Up" that truly gave 311 a charting popular song to exist proud of. There'southward about v different choruses in the affair, which isn't that different from other 311 songs, except all of these fit seamlessly and do continue to tiptop ane another, with Hexum and Martinez piling onto the song'south signature scratch-funk riff delicately while toasting effectually information technology dexterously, like a good boxer, without overpowering the groove. In fact, few 311 songs sustain a groove like this. It was huge, too. A more than than respectable nominee for their all-fourth dimension contribution to history.
2. "Don't Stay Home" (from 311, 1995)
Information technology's hard to say whether "Don't Stay Abode" or "All Mixed Up" is the better tune, and "Don't Stay Home" for sure has a clumsier, lumpier groove with the chugging distortion of guitars that never let up. Only it's rare enough that information technology gets the edge for something we tin't accept for granted: one honest-to-god legible melody, which is even quite pretty, that never lapses. It's completely continuous throughout the vocal without resorting to one of the random switch-ups that make so many other 311 jams such a bummer after a tasty lick or pleasurable harmony grabs yous momentarily. "Don't Stay Dwelling house" sounds like null else in their catalog and you lot tin can fifty-fifty hum it or interpret it for pianoforte. Information technology'south even got a double-time bridge that fits like a glove.
1. "Cute Disaster" (from Transistor, 1997)
Despite the maddening attempts to sift through 311's itemize seeking the near straightforward and streamlined exceptions to their almost prog-similar insistence on multi-part structures and odd shifts from one office to another, non to mention sick-plumbing fixtures raps, they are ultimately a complicated band. We're non obligated to celebrate them as such, simply it shouldn't surprise anyone that the best 311 song would showcase their idiosyncrasies to the best of their power. "Beautiful Disaster" has it all, and for one time that's a practiced thing: nasty riffs, dueling twin-guitar solos in the Santana mold, ominous ska verses and a chorus that's every bit bubble-gluey as it is crunchy with overdriven amps. Best of all, there isn't a rap in sight. Plus, "Beautiful Disaster" as a title is a good, honest summation of the 311 aesthetic.
Source: https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/311-songs-best-hits-list-7850271/
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