Soundsystem

by

311

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I "borrowed" my little brother's Discman a week ago, and Soundsystem was the cd inside it. After having listened to it about a thousand times, I must admit that I'll return the discman, but I'm keeping the cd!

This is such a great album, every song is distinct, catchy, well-made, polished, fun, and at times a little bizarre and odd. I love it! There are complaints that the songs are dull or unoriginal or all sound the same. All I can say is, these songs flow together, but they certainly don't sound the same, and as for that, don't most bands have a running theme? Can you see Nine Inch Nails doing a bubbly pop song? Can you see Britney Spears (ugh) doing something sombre, slow, dark, and meaningful? Bands and musicians play what they love to play, and 311 definitely has fun playing what they play. They have a definite style, and as each cd comes along I see all kinds of different themes and styles.

All in all, this cd rocks, and 311's sound is totally unique!

(3 1/2 stars) The first 8 or 9 songs on the album are, for the most part strong, but it really loses steam over the last 4 songs. I consider the last 2 songs "Mindspin" and "Livin' & Rockin'" to be throwaways. Also the Bad Brains cover "Leaving Babylon" does nothing for me. "Evolution" is very mediocre.

Like their last album "Transistor", it's hit or miss. The best songs are "Come Original", "Life's Not a Race", "Large in the Margin" and especially "Flowing". "Flowing" has probably the best chorus 311 has ever written and the type of song you can listen to over and over. Great songwriting by Nick Hexum, I can't believe that song didn't get any airplay. "Life's Not a Race" sounds like some of the best mellow stuff on "Transistor". "Come Original" is the most radio-friendly song on the CD and will sound familiar to fans of their earlier hits.

This is not their best work but 311 is never bad. The good songs aren't good as the best songs on "Transistor", but still quality. "Flowing" is one of the best songs 311 has ever done, especially if you're into the singing more than the rapping.