311
Evolver
Volcano Records, July 2003
Offensive words: one
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What do you think of when I say
"Nebraska.?" If you are like most people the answer is
"NOTHING." Hey no offense if you are reading this and
you are from there but come on. Most people can't even tell you
where Nebraska is. Well, for fans of this band when they hear the
word "Nebraska" they think of the "Omaha Rock"
styles of 311. Many people don't realize these guys have been
around since 1990. In fact, I even saw them in concert when I was
in college back in 1995. These guys mix alternative rock, thrash,
rap and funk to create a very unique sound loved by 311 fans all over.
Also let me set some rumors straight about what the name actually means.
The story is that Watson, original guitarist, was skinny dipping when he
was younger and got busted by the Omaha police. The code for that
is, 311. So, that is the TRUE meaning of their name.
Their newest release, Evolver, has left the critics being critical but
an obvious thumbs up from their fans. Critics continue to compare
them with the Red Hot Chili Peppers which I have never quite understood.
With this being their seventh studio recording, the band is showing a
lot of maturity. Not only lyrically, considering most of their
previous bands have all had parental advisory labels on them, to their
more expanding style. I wish they would chosen not to include the
one 'f' bomb on one track, ""The Other Side of Things."
This is the only CD with any language. 311 has always chosen a
very confusing at times style of lyrics and poetry. Many of their
songs are not totally explainable unless you are hearing it from the
author. I have not found any lyrics that are offensive. I
have found some lyrics that deal with issues of humanism and things of
that nature such as in "Reconsider Everything." Another
song, "Seems Uncertain," appears to be a shot at President
George Bush and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Many of the songs are
more positive message type songs dealing with relationships and not
giving up like in "Same Mistake Twice" and "Beyond
the Grey Sky."
Overall, this CD is much better than many of their others without all
the cussing. But, due to the one 'f' bomb and a few questionable
songs dealing with non-Christian theology, I will give this a 'PG.'
"Reconsider
Everything"
What if the truth is that there is no truth
the only thing I can prove is there is no proof
don't be so sure that your source is correct
people believed it before, before they had checked
"Same Mistake Twice"
Lost in a barrel of wine and whining
snared in a trap of your own designing
don't be so sure
nobody knows when it will end
don't be so sure
wouldn't I speak up if I'm a true friend
just hang on in there
It's one thing to make the
same mistake twice
another thing to make it
all of your life
your life
"Beyond the Grey Sky"
Don't give up the fight to stay alive and even if you have to
find the reason of another's pain if they lose you
if not for your self then those around who care like I do
one day you'll see the clear blue
beyond the gray sky
.......
Light a candle
the wick
it's who we are
one day you'll see the clear blue
beyond the gray sky
"Seems Uncertain"
I'd like to be
one of the faithful millions
but what I see
is an excuse for the killing
Your denomination
should be a private thing
how about a spirit
for all human beings
How could something well guided
turn out to be divisive
mostly wondering
it seems uncertain, yeah
it seems uncertain, yeah
it seems uncertain, ooh
uncertain