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 311's weakest effort yet Oct 22, 2007
Many said 1997's Transistor was a shoddy, overdrawn experimental production, not worthy of the ranks of the Blue album. The experimental nature of the album gives it charm, a new sound and a new direction; which is what 311 are excellent at doing. I'll take Transistor over Blue any day. Evolver, though slightly experimental for 311, is no Transistor. Sometimes Jacks Will Rule the Realm breaks all of 311's rules and it is an incredible song, one of their best. The songs are catchy, they simply lack the soul of the previous two albums. While I think this album is a valiant effort by 311, and I do enjoy it, I stick by my opinion that it is their weakest effort to date. I've listened to Don't Tread on Me ( which is superb ) more than this album.
Not too much of an evolution. It's different, okay? Aug 12, 2007
Evolver has more of a different sound for the band, and the songs on here really aren't the biggest evolution ever. Still though, it sounds different and still has what makes 311 great as a band.
It's not too diverse, but 311 brings up new sounds, and some familiar sounds with a great twist, which keeps it from becoming stale. Sometimes Jacks Rules the Realm is nothing like a pervious song, and the outro is mellow and cool enough. Seems Uncertain features a flute, acoustic guitars, and other things, that one is a new sound 311 has never done before. Crack The Code really jams, it sounds like nothing else they have done. Creatures (for a while) rocks out at the beggining like Incubus does, and the verses... well listen to the samples on amazon (I only reccomend it because it has the verse in the sample). Beyond The Grey Sky is a great song about suicide, with a soaring chorus, and a mellow verse that actually you get enough of.
Not everything on here is that original, there are some typical 311 rock songs. Great thing though, is that they are good songs. Give me a call kind of has the groove that Evolution does in the chorus, which is welcom e because more of that is good. Don't Dwell is just fun (with a cool bassline), Reconsider Everything is typical. Other Side Of Things is a highlight, built off of Offbeat Bare @$$, but totally different enough. IT's a good listen.
The weaker tracks are same mistake twice, a mediocre rip-off of Flowing, and Still Dreaming, which is boring, tired, shtick. Other than that, this album still rocks on it's own. Most 311 fans would concure.
Lasly, stop comparing 311 and the rhcp! Those bands are entirely different enough to be two different bands. Both are talented bands (well, except anthony). Try both of em'.
IT's not for casual listener, but 311 fanatics won't mind. Ignore all the critics who write _____. Oh and to the editorial review: F**** you!
8.0/10
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 311 at its finest... Sep 24, 2006
I am a big 311 fan and i have a copy of basically every studio album they have ever released. Believe me when I say that if you like 311 you will not be disapointed with this cd. 'Evolver' expands and matures on the distinct sound found on the 'Soundsystem' album and marks 311's highest point yet. Although this album only produced 2 major singles, "Creatures(for a while)" and "Beyond The Gray Sky", almost every song is worthy of airplay. If you are looking for a studio album with more songs you've heard before try 'From Chaos', but if you want to be able to pop a 311 cd into your car and not want to skip any songs, 'Evolver' is the cd for you.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Album made for live performances Aug 12, 2006
Being a 311 fan for over 11 years now, I have heard just about every recording they have ever made. With that said, I would like to note that on first listening to this cd, I was not completeley amazed or blown away by it. The whole album was worth listening to and enjoyable, but not any better than the rest of the catalog. But I have to make a point that all of the songs on this cd are AMAZING concert material. They simply sound perfect live and in person. "Beyond the gray sky" was a live performance that was not easily forgettable.
5 of 6 found the following review helpful:
311 is not trying to be the Red Hot Chili Peppers Dec 23, 2005
Evolver is a solid 311 effort. The jabbing rap-rock has definitely given way to some milder, more lyrical tunes, but 311 can still hit hard. On this album, they seem to pull out the stops at just the right time in each cut. This album is indeed an evolution of their musical style, and we 311 fans are sitting back with Don't Tread on Me -- their latest pop-infested release -- waiting for another more experimental album that will expand on Evolver in 2007. All in all, it looks like 311 have contented themselves to release some really innovative stuff every other album, and just have fun in between.
Having said that, I am tired of writers comparing bands saying that one is trying to be just like another. 311 has gotten a lot of bad publicity in reviews when writers can't see past the bandwagon music business favorites like the Chili Peppers, and make such ridiculous remarks about 311 trying to be as innovative as those "gods" the Peppers.
Now, in a head to head comparison, I have to give a lot of credit to the Peppers, especially in raw musical talent. But, 311 is a band I have listened to for years, and not just occasionally.
When I feel like good music, I put in 311. I don't listen to the Peppers more than once in a while. After all, 311 use their powers for good instead of evil, as it were; their message is always positive and their music shows it. 311 just makes me feel better as a soundtrack to my day in - day out activity than bands like No Doubt, the Peppers, and a handful of others.
As for this effort, and 311's oeuvre in general, I quote countless musicians and music critics when I say: nothing ventured, nothing gained. 311 is not worried about critics, or it would have tried to make a couple of duplicates of their Grassroots and Blue Albums and garner the same kind of commercial success. Instead, we have a body of work and a powerful touring band that has developed a loyal fan base and continues to experiment, inspire, and have a lot of fun.
Too many listeners, and not a few critics hear 311 radio hits, give one or two tracks a go on any one album, and then make sweeping judgements about how 311 are repeating themselves. My response is: I own the entire 311 catalog, and when I listen to any one of their albums, I always find a new and surprising twist or bit of musical invention or uplifting lyric that I overlooked before.
And that, in my opinion, makes 311 a great band.
One last word of advice to any readers that are scoping out bands - don't listen to critics. They have to listen to way too many albums to enjoy any of them.
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