1999
311
Soundsystem
About This Album
311 have been called a lot of things -- primarily some variation of either funk metal, rap-metal, or ska-metal -- but they don't fit neatly into any of these particular subgenres. They borrow from all three styles, plus reggae and new wave, creating their own skatepunk sound that vaguely recalls such contemporaries as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beastie Boys, No Doubt, and Sublime, but never quite sounds exactly like them. Part of that is due to the vocal interplay of singer Nick Hexum and rapper S.A.; their interchanges are unique among skatepunk. 311 also have different ambitions -- ever since their 1995 commercial breakthrough, 311, the band seemed intent on making a great album. Its successor, Transistor, was a flawed effort the length of a double album, and its studio follow-up, Soundsystem -- a 1999 album that followed a live 1998 record -- has its own aspirations. Longtime producer/engineer band associate Scotch Ralston worked with Hugh Padgham (the Police's former producer) on Soundsystem, and the differences are immediately apparent. Benefiting from Padgham's professional skills, Soundsystem is a tighter record, clocking in at 45 minutes. Padgham also helps the band incorporate its various influences into a more digestible form.
Track List (try tracks 2,3,4 and 5)

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