1/9/2023 0 Comments 311 transistor all b sides![]() ![]() The chorus is so embarrassingly bad, it's amazing that this song saw the light of day at all, especially with singer Nick Hexum's admission that there are six yet-unheard b-sides from the Uplifter session. "I Like the Way" starts off with a great synth sound and an accessible feel, but instantly turns into what is perhaps 311's worst song - ever. Strangely, the bonus version of Uplifter (which this review is based off of) has two extra tracks which represent both the strongest and weakest efforts on the album. That song is no doubt an ode to Blue Album lovers everywhere. And then there's "Jackpot," a song drowning in corny rhyming and power chords, but that feels like old 311. "Never Ending Summer," the quintet's consistent choice for concert opener during this summer's tour, has an irresistible sound that probably would have been best suited in the first position on Uplifter, as opposed to buried midway through the album. ![]() ![]() "Too Much Too Fast" might be the most unique-sounding song 311's done in a long time, with an unmistakable vintage feel that's never been heard on any song in 311's extremely vast catalog. But mixed in with those songs are some really strong tracks, as well. Tracks like "Daisy Cutter," "Two Drops in the Ocean," and "My Heart Sings" are forgettable album fluff that will go down in history as the "Same Mistake Twice" ( Evolver) and "Speak Easy" ( Don't Tread On Me) of Uplifter. The latter is also equipped with a great chorus reminiscent of the coming-of-age sounds of Red Hot Chili Pepper's 1999 release, Californication.įrom the end of "India Ink," Uplifter becomes a hodgepodge of ups and downs. "Golden Sunlight" is a softer track with a soaring chorus and beautiful harmonies, while "India Ink" is a rap-rocker showing old-school 311 fans that rapping duo Nick and SA can still rhyme about nonsense as well as they can sing about lost love and uncertainty. The next two tracks, "Golden Sunlight" and "India Ink," show a more mature side of 311 from two different fronts. This is no doubt a hard-hitter during 311's live show. "It's Alright," the album's second song, is an easy listen, with pining lyrics and a clean reggae drive, proclaiming in the bridge that "one song could end a war." "Mix It Up" presents listeners with a bit of a dichotomy, with an opening that's both sonically trite and rife with abominable lyrics, but that still has a great feel that resonates with the listener. However, the wheels quickly fall off of the initial track come the chorus, when it becomes clear that this is yet another reggae-inspired opener that feels a little bit too much like Don't Tread On Me's title track, as well as some other of 311's worst material, which their last three albums, Evolver included, is littered with.įrom there, the album moves into perhaps the strongest consistent territory seen on its fourteen tracks. The album starts off with the track "Hey You," a surprising single pick that proved to be a rather successful choice, receiving moderate airtime on the radio and helping propel Uplifter's initial #3 charting on the Billboard 200, 311's highest accolades on that chart in their two decade history. ![]() The last three albums have proven to be a first-hand witnessing of 311's prolonged growing pains as a group. In the end, however, Uplifter is a stronger album than their last effort, but still seems shallow, lacking any real flow or direction. Uplifter, 311's ninth major label release since 1993, is clearly a full-bodied attempt to appease many sectors of 311's vast audience, after the relative commercial and critical failure of their 2005 release, Don't Tread On Me. ![]()
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