Categories : Music Reviews, Rock + Pop.
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Rating: 1.5/5 Released: July 22, 2003 Reviewer: Jason Zalmanowitz |
It Seems Uncertain that these Creatures (For A While) would make the Same Mistake Twice. How did they not Crack the Code, even after I had offered them to Give Me a Call? Reconsider Everything, I said, but I was Still Dreaming. I guess I am seeing the Other Side of Things, and alas I Don’t Dwell. As the old saying goes, Sometimes Jacks Rule the Realm Beyond the Gray Sky. Now, if the preceding words were profound, you’ll love this LP. If they seemed ridiculous and made you want to leave, avoid this LP at all costs.
Enter 311’s 7th LP, entitled “Evolverâ€. One would think with a name like “Evolverâ€, 311 would be switching up their sound. Now this may be a good or a bad thing, but 311 have found their niche and aren’t changing anything up. Nick Hexum and SA Martinez provide dueling vocals – which are always complimentary and perfectly orchestrated, P-Nut seems happy to play on this album – but fails to show his potential as an all-star bassist, Chad Sexton – an always powerful drummer – hasn’t grown since “311†which is unfortunate as he is a truly stunning drum, and Tim Mahoney’s funked up hard rock styles continue to shine. It all almost sounds great, right? Well, after sitting down and playing “Grassrootsâ€, a ’96 release, and “Evolverâ€, an ’03 release, one after another, I had almost wished things had never changed.
Lyrically, 311’s releases are pretty consistent. They are either great, such as those of the Blue Album, or just ridiculously bad, such as those of “Transistorâ€. The evolutionary step (backwards) has taken place here with a roller coaster ride of profoundly mind numbing and / or morosely idiotic lyrics. “It’s one thing to make the same mistake twice, another thing to make it all of your life.†Idiotic or awesome? Sure, it may seem catchy at first but slowly turns to pure repetitive idiocy. Not exactly the most complex lyrics ever produced, but there are a few hidden surprises along the way (thankfully).
The first single off of this LP is “Creatures (for a while)â€, and manages to rock nice and hard. Hexum manages to steal the lead vocals on this track, while Martinez tosses in little sumthin-sumthin just for fun. But unlike first singles of albums past, this track is easily forgettable. In fact, to truly appreciate 311’s talent skip the first four tracks, enjoy five through seven, and then proceed directly to track ten to let the rest of the LP play.
It’s not even the sound of the tracks that deserve them to be skipped – it’s the half-assed lyrics churned out. Granted, 311’s lyrics are perfect for those of the pro-Marijuana mentality, but one comes to wonder how an LP of this quality manages to get into printing. In all fairness, this CD was thoroughly listened to before the decision was reached to put it on the shelf. Heavily chocked with clichés, sub-par lyrics, and general lameness, this is one to avoid.
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