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Soundsystem
311
Soundsystem
Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rap & Hip-Hop, R&B, Rock, Metal
 
  •  Track Listings (13) - Disc #1

When "Down" shot up the singles charts in 1996, it was the culmination of eight years of hard work for Nebraska-bred, Los Angeles-based 311. Soundsystem ups the ante on the quintet's good-time, never-forced amalgam of hip-...  more »

     
   

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CD Details

All Artists: 311
Title: Soundsystem
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 1
Label: Volcano
Original Release Date: 1/1/1999
Re-Release Date: 10/12/1999
Album Type: Explicit Lyrics, Original recording reissued
Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rap & Hip-Hop, R&B, Rock, Metal
Styles: Pop Rap, Funk, Rap Rock
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 614223664521

Synopsis

Amazon.com
When "Down" shot up the singles charts in 1996, it was the culmination of eight years of hard work for Nebraska-bred, Los Angeles-based 311. Soundsystem ups the ante on the quintet's good-time, never-forced amalgam of hip-hop, rock, funk, and reggae. "Come Original" features Nick Hexum's identifiable talk-singing style, and the tune's lilting dancehall and reggae overtones make it perfect for convertible cruising. From the odd but compelling rhythms in "Freeze Time," to the Santana-influenced stylings and Tim Mahoney's intricate guitar work in "Life's Not a Race," to the almost metallic riffing of "Evolution," 311 have constructed a diverse yet cohesive collection. The band's crisp, edgy sound, well showcased by producer Hugh Padgam (XTC, the Police), is especially winning on the irresistible and rollicking "Mindspin" and the aggro closing cut, "Livin' & Rockin'." It's a good bet that this Soundsystem will find its way onto the sound systems of fans old and new. --Katherine Turman

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Member CD Reviews

Mike M. (HeyMelo27) from MILFORD, MA
Reviewed on 7/20/2011...
Great album, very alternative

CD Reviews

Awesome
Nate505 | Lakewood, Colorado USA | 05/13/2006
(5 out of 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.

"
You are now entering the soundsystem
Private Quentin Tarantino Fan | nowhere | 06/26/2007
(5 out of 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"