Customer Reviews

From Chaos

5 star:		(117)
4 star:		(49)
3 star:		(23)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

First things first. 311, singer Nick Hexum,Chad Sexton,"SA" Doug Martinez, guitarist Tim Mahoney and thunder bassist P-Nut are a good time positivity driven group that in no way is going for the whole angst/rap/rock trend (Bizkit,Roach,etc.). So, get that out of your head, and lets not try to draw comparisons between them. After breaking it big in 1996 with their self titled disk that spurred the frat party anthems "Down" and "All mixed up", 311 is back with their long awaited 6th major label release, titled "From Chaos". Right from the opening chord of "You get worked" you see that this is not the same uninspired group that tossed out the overproduced and methodically drone "Soundsystem" in 1999. This is a recharged,more mature and confident unit that has never sounded better and tighter as a group. Which is saying something, based on their reputation of being one of the best live acts out there. While blending all the better elements of rock,rap,reggae,ska and pure funk, 311 along with "Blue" album producer Ron Saint, may have finally created the signature disk of their catalog. It is suprisingly strong all the way through, with highlights being the soon to be live staple,"Sick tight" and the ultra-melodic "Amber". Every song has some hook that will be revolving around your head for days. Of course, not all is sunny on the 311 front, "You wouldnt believe", the first single, sounds like a throw away from the "Soundsystem" sessions, and Nicks vocals do have a tendency to be too flat for casual listeners tastes. But, both vocalists make a fairly strong showing in this album, with both rhyme skills, and singing range. All in all, if your already part of the excitable 311 fans, then you were very pleased on June 19th, and if not, then you may be soon, once these break through to radio. Overall, this album does "rock",and it has some great hooks, with some laid back Jamaica inspired moments to keep you smiling.

First of all, I give this a 4.5, Transistor is a 5 in my book...

The review from Amazon.com on this album is ignorant. "From Chaos" is a brilliant album, by a band that is over stereotyped in the whole rap/rock genre. 311 is so much more than typical angst rap/rock (linkin park, korn, etc) they have one of the best drummers in rock ( except Danny Carey from Tool of course) and both of their lyricists are simply amazing. Miss Jennifer basically said "Whoa, Amber is the color of your energy" is pathetic, when in fact, this is more like the amazing and groundbreaking lyrics we heard from "Transistor" Nick is talking about aura's here, for those who have no clue what these are, just go read up on them (yahoo works well) and you'll discover the depth and originality behind Nick's and SA's lyrics. Although in my opinion, 311 doesn't tap the fountain as Tool does, 311 is one of the only bands to stay positive in the midst of all this angst-ridden manufactured garbage called "rock." We should be thankful for musicians like Tool, Dredg, 311, Deftones, etc for giving us true auditory beauty. And making music for themselves, not for the record company execs,

I have been a 311 fan ever since "Down" came out as a single, but I also took the chance to try out their older stuff like Grassroots and Music and I love 311 ever since. I was hesitant to give "From Chaos" a shot due to the single "You Wouldn't Believe" because I thought that was just about the best the album could get...but I was glad I was wrong. There's a mix in this album, from hard core old school 311 rock (Sick Tight) to chilled back rock (Uncalm) to beautiful laid back melodies (Amber).

My favorite song on this album is "Uncalm", with great lyrics and an unique tune. Classic 311 originality. I love the ENTIRE album, not just a couple songs out of the 12. It's pretty amazing how 311 has come back from their previous 2 albums (Transistor, Soundsystem), in which I thought were not as great as their old albums. BUY IT and get ready for a "HEADRUSH!"

Don't forget to download 311's extra track "We Do It Like This" from the official 311 site, it's also a great song expressing how they progressed in their music and their originality.

On their 6th studio release, From Chaos, 311 continue to be one of the most groundbreaking and original acts around today. 311 seemlessly meld metal, rap, hip-hop, reggae, and punk into another mind-blowing disc. 311 does a good job of taking aspects of all of their previous discs and combining them with new creative wrinkles, ensuring their music will never get stale. Overall, From Chaos rocks hard but doesn't forget the melody and songwriting in the process. Songs like Sick Tight, Wake Your Mind Up, and You Get Worked showcase 311 at their hard-rocking best. Full Ride is pure funk while Uncalm is one of the most unique songs 311 has ever put together, combining heavy guitar and beautiful vocal melodies. Amber, Champagne, and I'll Be Here Awhile are melodic gems that re-inforce the diversity of 311. Finally, the title track, From Chaos, is a rockin' and catchy melodic tour de force that would make an amazing 2nd single of off this album. Nick Hexum's and SA Martinez's raps and vocals are as tight and melodic as they have ever been. Tim Mahoney throws in some heavy and unique guitar riffs throughout while P-Nut and Chad Sexton are brilliant as usual. Lyrically, the band has never been stronger as they touch on a wide range of subjects that regular people go through on a daily basis. At a time when most rock acts continually re-hash how terrible their lives are with negative lyrics, it is certainly refreshing to see a rock band write about issues that others can relate to, while infusing their lyrics with positivity.

As the pioneers of the hybrid rock genre, it is a shame that 311 still do not get the recognition and respect they so richly deserve. Its hard to see second-hand hacks like Crazytown and Papa Roach being rewarded with a ton of radio and MTV airplay while innovators such as 311 are not. However, 311 will still be going strong 5-10 years from now, due to hardwork, determination, and a loyal grassroots following, while today's flavors of the week will be nowhere to be found.

As for certain so-called music critics, pay no attention to them. It seems that instead of just listening to the music and enjoying it, they look for reasons to pick it apart. As for the suggestion to work with other artists to increase 311's mainstream following, that sounds an awful lot like a suggestion to sell out. While I've learned that 90% of music critics have no idea what they are talking about, its a shame they are in a position to influence the many people who may be checking out a band for the first time. In regards to the critics, "ignorance is bliss to those uneducated".

Congrats to 311 on an amazing new album. I wish them much success and hope they can continue to provide us with great music for years to come.

Whoever the album critic for amazon is, they have a skewed view of what good is or isn't. 311 is beyond their time as far as music, kind of like David Bowie back in the 60's. 311 spawned bands like no doubt and are surely evolved from music like the red hot chili peppers create. Amazon critics, this is a fact. 311 has an original sound that they have mastered. So, if their music sounds the same, it is because they have their own unique groove that narrow minded critics can't explore and differentiate. ...

When I heard 311's new single "You Wouldn't Believe", I knew that 311 was back. I was hoping this album would be heavier, more "old school" than Soundsystem and Transistor. From the first track to the last, this album is perfect the entire way. Well, ALMOST perfect. It took me awhile to pick apart every song, but i realize a few problems with this CD. Still more creative than most bands, 311's lyrics on "From Chaos" are good, but a little shallow compared to 311's past albums. The guitar work is a bit choppy, somewhat lacking the regular flow on past albums. Nick Hexum's voice is slightly flat on a few tracks, including "I Told Myself", and "I'll Be Here Awhile". Its not very noticable. "Sick Tight" is a classic 311 song, fast paced, "Head-rushing", blended style type of song. "You Wouldn't Believe" was a good choice for a first single. "From Chaos" is a cool song, I hope it will be the next single. It has SA rapping and Nick's smooth vocals, not at all flat on this track. "Amber" is the song making fans go crazy. I'm not sure why, I didn't find anything truly "great" about it. "Uncalm" sounds like something off of Transistor. All in all, this album is really good no matter what amazon's editor says (she's crazy). 311 is always breaking new ground! (Tell me if you ever heard a song like "From Chaos" on any other 311 album). This album is great, buy it and you won't be disappointed. Also try the self-titled "Blue Album" if you want to get hooked on 311. If you don't like this album at first, don't worry. Some of the songs take a little listening to get to like them, then you're hooked!

It took them long enough, but after 6 years, 311 have finally released a true follow-up to their self-titled commercial breakthrough, and it cranks like it's '95 all over again. Like all their albums, it's hit and miss all the way, but the ratio of hits to misses leans greatly more toward the former this time, resulting in some of their strongest work in years.

I've always been a fan of 311's, especially after seeing them live several times, but their last two albums cooled my interest a little. "Soundsystem", released two years ago, had a handful of amazing tracks but was overproduced and a little draggy. "Transistor", meanwhile, remains this band's only true dud -- it's so agonizingly overlong and miscalculated that it's nearly impossible to listen to all the way through, and it's a shame because there's a killer EP buried in there somewhere. I wondered if 311 were ever going to get their groove back.

They have. "From Chaos" is a return to form in every way -- heavy without being overbearing, fast without being tuneless, experimental without being overindulgent. A large amount of credit for this has to go to the legendary Ron Saint Germain, who produced the self-titled album and works similar magic here. But that wouldn't mean much if the band didn't bring the noise, and they deliver. Fans everwhere will flash a huge grin at the moment they hear "Sick Tight", which wraps huge riffing around killer vocal melodies from Nick Hexum and S.A. Martinez, resulting in one of their best songs since "Down". Several great songs follow, like "I Told Myself" (which explodes with melody), "Amber", and "Hostile Apostle". The experimentation from the last two albums has been toned down, but it's still present; "Uncalm", for instance, is an interesting stab at dancehall. The whole thing clocks in at a tight, fierce 40 minutes with little to no filler. Nice.

There's a few things that kept me from a five star rating, though. For one, 311 are starting to sound too much like themselves -- some of the riffs are recycled from older albums, as are some lyrics, and you have to wonder how long they can keep doing this before it gets ridiculous. The album also doesn't have quite as powerful a sonic punch as the last two, and it sounds a little flat at times. And lastly, while Hexum and Martinez are great singers, why do they keep coating their voices in layers and layers of reverb? It's getting a tad old. You guys can sing, so just sing!

But these are small complaints. Bottom line: 311 are back, and they want you to come along. This thing is tailor-made for fans who got on board from the beginning, with "Music" and "Grassroots", which will probably always be their best work. They've had to sit back and watch other bands profit from the sound they revolutionized for years, and they've taken that anger and infused it into their music, giving it back the precious rawness and ferocity sadly missing from the last two records. Support 311, because at this point in their career, they're doing what they do mostly because of you, the fans. Give them a reason to keep on doing it.

311 goes right back to their old formula with From Chaos, their sixth studio record. More than anything, the songs on this cd are reminiscent of the 1995 Blue Album, which included the hits "Down", "Don't Stay Home", and "All Mixed Up". Just like the last album, Soundsystem, this new one begins with a loud, fast song - called "You Get Worked." At first listen, the best songs are probably the title track, "From Chaos", "Wake Your Mind Up", "Uncalm", and "I'll Be Here Awhile". There's little or no experimentation on this album, but it sounds good to get back to the stuff you'll really hear at a 311 show. The word is that all songs on the cd will be played extensively on tour, and that the band will follow up the first single "You Wouldn't Believe" with a heavy, fast song and then go for a slow number as the third single. There are only really two calm songs on the album, one of which is actually ska (and it sounds great). If you ever wondered when you were going to get another Blue Album, this is the cd to go buy. "Stay Positive and Love Your Life" (Hexum).

Allow me to express how in awe I am right now. Got the point? I shall begin my review of 'From Chaos'.

Although I've always admired 311 and liked a few of their songs here and there, I never became what you would probably consider a complete "fan" until a few months ago. I got three of their albums ('Evolver', 'Soundsystem', and 'Transistor') last month and was extremely impressed, especially with 'Soundsystem'. I remembered loving "You Wouldn't Believe" and "Amber", and wanted to purchase the 'From Chaos' album.

After a month of looking for it, I found it today...and my CD collection will never be the same.

I don't see what this negativity is about - this is a BEAUTIFUL album. Not only is 311 the most original band out there, this album just flows. I am ecstatic about it. I can see this becoming one of my favorite CDs of all time. I like every song on here (that's rare). Standouts are "Amber" (I still haven't gotten sick of it), "You Wouldn't Believe", "Uncalm", and "Champagne." Tim Mahoney is among the best guitarists I've ever heard and even though many reviews on here proclaimed Nick Hexum's voice to be monotone, I find it to be beautiful and soothing.

All in all, a wonderful album. Amazing. I recommend it to anyone - 311 fan, not 311 fan, someone who's never HEARD of 311 - ANYBODY. This album is perfection and I'm not sure how I've went this long without it.

311 is one of those bands that doesn't get credit for doing what no other band does and thats combining so many different kinds of music and making it sound good. I wasn't too impressed with an album like 311's self-titled, which is to me a bunch of random lyrics spitted out between guitar riffs...it gets old very fast. "From Chaos" is almost like another little step from "Soundsystem" (which I think is the album that really showed off 311's style). This is the first time 311 really took time on their lyrics and made them mean something for everyone. Tracks like "Amber", "I'll be Here Awhile", and "Champagne" are the more mellow tracks that show off 311's amazing sound. Of course you have to like 311's hard rocking style too. If you like "From Chaos" then defintely get "Evolver" (the newest one) that album to me completes 311's music.