From Chaos

by

311

Edit

First things first. 311, singer Nick Hexum,Chad Sexton,"SA" Doug Martinez, guitarist Tim Mahoney and thunder bassist P-Nut are a good time positivity driven group that in no way is going for the whole angst/rap/rock trend (Bizkit,Roach,etc.). So, get that out of your head, and lets not try to draw comparisons between them. After breaking it big in 1996 with their self titled disk that spurred the frat party anthems "Down" and "All mixed up", 311 is back with their long awaited 6th major label release, titled "From Chaos". Right from the opening chord of "You get worked" you see that this is not the same uninspired group that tossed out the overproduced and methodically drone "Soundsystem" in 1999. This is a recharged,more mature and confident unit that has never sounded better and tighter as a group. Which is saying something, based on their reputation of being one of the best live acts out there. While blending all the better elements of rock,rap,reggae,ska and pure funk, 311 along with "Blue" album producer Ron Saint, may have finally created the signature disk of their catalog. It is suprisingly strong all the way through, with highlights being the soon to be live staple,"Sick tight" and the ultra-melodic "Amber". Every song has some hook that will be revolving around your head for days. Of course, not all is sunny on the 311 front, "You wouldnt believe", the first single, sounds like a throw away from the "Soundsystem" sessions, and Nicks vocals do have a tendency to be too flat for casual listeners tastes. But, both vocalists make a fairly strong showing in this album, with both rhyme skills, and singing range. All in all, if your already part of the excitable 311 fans, then you were very pleased on June 19th, and if not, then you may be soon, once these break through to radio. Overall, this album does "rock",and it has some great hooks, with some laid back Jamaica inspired moments to keep you smiling.

Ever since bringing hybrid rock music to mainstream audiences with their self-titled release six years ago, 311 has been just one or two ingredients short of another genre defying revolution. While "From Chaos" is certainly a step back in the right direction for 311, the album just doesn't get over the hump they set for themselves six years ago.

To help rekindle the old magic, 311 brought back producer Ron Saint Germain, the same producer they worked wonders with on the aforementioned release from 1995. Judging from their new album, it's clear that the hits "Down" and "All Mixed Up" weren't simply shots in the pan from 311 and Germain. "From Chaos" definitely strikes up where "311" left off, but it should be much better in light of all the progression in music over the last half-decade. 311's own progression has stagnated to such a degree that several tracks off "From Chaos" seem like formulaic replications of their earlier works. It's as if they sat down with Germain and said, "Ok, we need another `Applied Science,' another `Purpose,' and uh, maybe another `Misdirected Hostility' for good measure."

In all honesty, this isn't as bad as it sounds. The album retreads 311's trademark qualities (and quirks) so much as to make it a guilty pleasure for longtime fans. It's definitely refreshing to hear a new, quality release from 311, but the music might only seem refreshing because of the two albums in between. It's an emotionally enjoyable trip for the diehards out there, especially on tracks like "Uncalm" and "I'll Be Here Awhile," but when I stop and think about it, "From Chaos" is so anally regressive that it ends up shooting itself in the foot.

311 would have you believe that "From Chaos," like all 311 albums, is the exact opposite -- eclectic and diverse in nature. And there is truth to this - at times, "From Chaos" draws upon styles ranging anywhere from hip-hop to alternative to funk-metal. It's just a shame that all this experimentation and genre crossing is done within 311's enclosed little bubble world that still believes it's 1995.