311 - Soundsystem
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Free Music Notes for Soundsystem
Free Music Review: Compressed is your life in the physical, but out of memory comes a vision which is a miracle
Hit: 5 Stars
THE TRANSITION YEARS, 1997-2001
Transistor (1997)
4th Studio LP: The next phase in 311's evolution begins with this ambitious and psychedelic exploration of their unique style. This is their longest album, and it shows a substantial decrease in the rap/sing ratio. Transistor is my 4th favorite release (or 2nd fave if you count the first three LPs as one).
Soundsystem (1999)
5th Studio LP: While this follow-up to Transistor is not a huge leap forward style-wise, they still "come original" here. Soundsystem is really just as high quality as Transistor, which is only slightly more favored because it is longer. Soundsystem, technically my 5th favorite LP, is the last 311 album that I would describe as "great."
From Chaos (2001)
6th Studio LP: This is the 3rd and final album of the Transitional phase started by Transistor and continued with Soundsystem. This album is not a huge departure from Soundsystem, but to me it far inferior. Front-man Nick Hexum was suffering from a long-term relationship break-up, and it shows. This album attempts to herald the dawning of a new era for the band, but it instead accentuates the ending of their glorious initial decade. From Chaos is tied with DTOM (2005) for my least favorite 311 studio LP, but it still has a couple killer tracks, like "Sick Tight."
Enlarged to Show Detail #2 (2001)
A "behind the scenes" DVD Epilogue to the Transition Years containing interviews, music videos, concert footage, etc. - with a bonus EP of outtakes from 1999 and 2001. I actually like this well-produced DVD better than the original ETSD (96).
Free Music Review: You are now entering the soundsystem
Hit: 5 Stars
The last 311 album that's solid all the way through (okay, almost). It's not as expiremental as Transistor, but they take another dive into yet another dimension. Soundsystem is greatly produced, and Nick Hexum/SA Martinez just make some of the coolest sound effects for Soundsystem. Besides the fact that the music sounds so damn good, they finally put a lot of little things in it. More turntables, effects, etc. It seems like your in a computer. Similar aesthetic to Transistor, way different vibe.
Besides the numerous sounds, the music itself is as kick @$$ as ever. Granted, Eons is one of my least favorite 311 songs, overrated for sure. The production really helps and dosen't take away emotional impact, it just makes what they already can do with their equipment, just sound better. In other words, production helps but dosen't make the music a product. The vocals by Nick are just so cool at times, on Freeze Time, it sounds like an announcer, and on Large In The Margin, his voice floats high and takes you along. SA Martinez's voice is smooth as ever, on Grassroots, his voice was way too high at times. Strong All Along is as smooth as butter. Dancehall reggae and rock mixed! Freeze Time is grungy and compelling. They successfully mix a dancehall chorus with rock and funk in Come Original, and the end's sound effects are very cool. There is an absoluty spot-on and amazing cover of Leaving Babylon by The Bad Brains, one of the Brain's best songs. It's not the original (which is a great song), but the classic gets a new life. Life's Not A Race has three shredding solos from Tim Mahoney, all in the vein of Santana, yet firmly his own. Mindspin, excellet stuff. There's just quite the bunch of great songs, even if Soundsystem isn't as rocking as Music or funky as 311.
So, back to the sound effects. Besides the better production, the sound effects are the most original thing they have ever done. It's why Soundsystem is so much different besides the music. Flowing's 20 second intro is completely electronic, it makes it a great intro. Mindspin's finale is great, like most have told. Leaving Babylon features a boatload of them. Living And Rocking has turntablism and the intro is great as well. There's just so many cool things around in Soundsystem, definitly something that you haven't of heard before.
True, not all the songs are perfect, and I don't know why so many people like Eons, I don't care for Eons. But it's their last excellent album. Sure, From Chaos, Evolver, and Don't Tread On Me had some great songs, but they just don't match the first five albums.
9.5/10
Free Music Review: GREATEST Albums of the '90s
Hit: 5 Stars
If I was stranded on a desert island and I could have one album to listen to, it would be SOUNDSYSTEM.
There are 13 songs on Soundsystem, each track has a diverse mix of styles and sounds. I love all the songs except for track 10.
Music is my life and I listen to everything but country. 311 is a band that mixes various musical genres effortlessly. Soundsystem offers a variety of styles including rock, reggae, funk, hip-hop, metal, and world. The songs are so catchy and fun, you will listen to them over and over.
I have been a 311 fan for over 10 years now and if I had to pick a favorite album, it would be this one. I have listened to Soundsystem a ridiculous amount of times and it never grows old.
311 have been going strong for 15 years now. This album came out in 1999, but it sounds as modern and amazing as the best contemporary music. Do not deny your ears and mind any longer, you need Soundsystem in your collection!
I have listened to SOUNDSYSTEM more times than any other album.
Free Music Review: Awesome
Hit: 5 Stars
I love this album. I think 3 of my top 10 favorite songs from this band are on here. Flowing is great, I absolutely love the harmonizing and sound. Sever has great lyrics and probably my favorite chours from the band. Plus, I love the little guitar solo outro at the end. And Mindspin, while a fairly average song for the first two minutes, finishes with maybe my favorite piece of music in the history of music. The ending of that song is absolutely brilliant. Add those songs with a bunch of other solid songs (Freeze Time, Come Original, Life's Not a Race, Large in the Margain) and it easily makes the album 5* to me. Plus, the other songs aren't all that bad either. In fact, the only song I really dislike on the album is Can't Fade Me. This is definitely in the upper echolon of 311 albums for me.
Free Music Review: An All Time 311 Bestseller!
Hit: 5 Stars
This is one of 311's top albums. If you are just getting to know them, or just haven't invested in this album yet, now is the time.
I estimate that the flowing rhythms and intricate musical themes of this CD have resonated through my many systems hundreds of times. Especially if I am going on a road trip or something, this CD plays -- all the way through! You can't stop it. That's how good it flows!
Breakdown:
"Freeze Time"
This track starts it all of in a grungy, hard, nod-your-head-to-this style that cant be beat. You will understand where this CD is going from this track alone.
"Come Original"
311 despizes non-originality. SA takes to the mic to deliver a lyrical reasoning of why you've got to make up your own sound. Hexum trades off nicely, continuing the 311 tradition. This one is not a crowd pleaser in the sense that it was made to rock! But the crowds sure go crazy over it!
"Large in the Margin"
A flowing nuance of sound that takes you into the more "hydroponic sound" 311 loves. Yeah, it's a homegrown sound, but it sure takes to the waves and pleases the ear. Trust me, you won't have to skip this track. (Nor will you want to.)
"Flowing"
Just take off. It doesn't matter where you go, 311 will find you. You won't lose where you are going, in other words. I like the intro to this song especially. It sets an interesting tone to the whole thing.
"Can't Fade Me"
'Nuff said!
"Life's Not a Race"
While other bands of the time were meddling in the wanna-be-punk rock to match the style of the '70s punk genre, 311 was messing around with the more musical, lyrical, psychadelia that made Led Zepplin and Pink Floyd masterworkers of music. The Transistor album of 311 makes that apparent. They bring some more with this album. Nice job 311.
"Strong All Along"
A head bobbin', smooth rockin' tune. Mix a bit of reggae and some "Omaha Stylee" of 311, and you get this track. It is an amazzing thing!
"Sever"
Traditional 311 jam you cant miss out on.
"Eons"
One of my big time favorites. Flowing. Nice guitar riffs, and chilled lyrics put this one in the top of their track listing for me. They could have made this one a single if they'd wanted...or something.
"Evolution"
Get up and jam to this funky riff about the evolution of technology. Isn't it great? 311 wants you to ensure that it continues. They made a breakthrough, whose next...exponentially?
"Leaving Babylon"
Reggae and psycadelia meet! Another of my all time favorites. This shows not only musical talent, but studio talent. These guys know their stuff, and their music history. If heard it live as well, and it rocks there too. This one seals the deal for me. 311 is at the top. This one will change music forever!
"Mindspin"
The title says it all. You want a little '90s punk. Here you go, served up on a silver platter (or is it platinum)?
"Livin & Rockin"
That's what you'll do as you let this CD go for another round. This one finishes it off niceley. But when you're talking about circles, there is no end, and no beginning. So does this track start it, or end it. I can't really say.
This album is one of their all time best. It is a must have for any R&R lover of this or any generation. Don't wait another minute to start yourself off on a whole nother revolution of music!