Customer Reviews

Greatest Hits 93-03

5 star:		(55)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

311 have had quite a career so far. When they came out in the 90's, they definitely clashed with the more gloomy grunge scene: positive lyrics and catchy, upbeat music with a reggae and hip-hop twist. They still found success while simultaneously paving the way for a variety of popular bands like No Doubt and Incubus. They are one of the few bands from that era to have survived and continue touring and putting out new music -- the band are in the studio working on their eighth album as we speak. Their first best-of, "Greatest Hits: 93-03" is a celebration of some of 311's best known work, along with some newer, previously unreleased material. True, not all of 311 "Greatest" songs are here, such is the flaw with any best-of collection, but as far as hits and singles, this has got them all. Along with predictable entries like "Down," "All Mixed Up" and "Amber," there are a few surprises thrown in. "Beyond The Grey Sky" (from 2003's "Evolver") is a song I didn't expect to be here, and other songs that didn't quite break-out like they should have like "Flowing" and "Transistor" are good to hear again (even though I own all of their other stuff). While there is an abundance of newer material, including their cover of The Cure's "Love Song" (from the "50 First Dates" soundtrack) and two new songs, "How Do You Feel?" and "First Straw," the lack of older material is rather disappointing. "Homebrew" and "Do You Right" are included, but their older albums had other great moments too (they should have, at least, put "Feels So Good" on). But complaints aside, it's a great collection, seventeen excellent songs. You definitely get your money's worth, and if you're a hardcore 311 fan, the two new studio tracks are incentive enough. And if you are new to the band, what better way to start?

10 years and 7 albums later, the Omaha funk metal sensation comes back with "Greatest Hits '93-'03". This CD has all their hits, including "Down," "All Mixed Up," and "Amber".

I consider myself to be a casual fan of the group. I really only got into the "Blue Album" (like the rest of the world) and "Grassroots". Due to the several 311 cult followers, as many of the reviews have shown here, the hardcore fans will never be happy with the "greatest hits" compilation unless they mix it themselves. Nevertheless, this CD is fantastic for listeners like myself. I haven't listened to 311, or music of the same genre in years. But when 2003 brought 311's greatest hits to me, it made me realize just how talented this band was and still is.

Compared to other greatest hits compilations from the early 90s bands, 311 puts together a solid compilation, including 17 tracks and clocking in at about 60 minutes. I've heard some of these tunes several times, and some not enough. I especially enjoy "Come Original," "Beautiful Disaster," "Transistor," "Don't Stay Home," "Homebrew," "Beyond The Gray Sky," and "Love Song".

Overall, "Greatest Hits '93-'03" holds strong as a quality release, as well as great driving music. I think other casual listeners like myself, and first time listeners will love this album.

Ah, 311... A group who's style you just can't live without. They combinde alternitive rock, punk, metal, ska, rap, reagae, jazz & classic rock into one. They have alot of laid-back tunes, yet alot of edgy tracks. Here of course showcases their greatest hits as the title says. I know it's missing Prisioner, but was that a hit anyway? This was my starting album from 311. Don't get me wrong, I've always liked them since Come Original came out, that was when I first heard of them. They became big in 95 or 96, you decide and their breakthrough hit was Down which is still their most well-known hit today. Very awsome & simple little classic. Nick Hexum is the vocalist & sometimes guitarist, SA Martinez is the rapper & DJ of the bunch, and he is a talanted rapper. Nick used to rap occasinally, but i've never heard him really rap since I haven't heard any of their albums yet. Oh well, I prefer it where SA Martinez is the rapper. They are a very talanted band, the other 3 members are awsome as well. I will say which songs were included on the original albums, then do the song-by-song thing.

Down, All Mixed Up, Don't Stay Home (311 Year: 1995)
Flowing, Come Original (Soundsystem Year: 1999)
Amber, I'll Be Here Awhile, You Wouldn't Believe (From Chaos Year: 2001)
Beautiful Disaster, Transistor (Transistor Year: 1997)
Creatures (For A While), Beyond The Grey Sky (Evolver Year: 2003)
Do You Right (Music Year: 1993)
Homebrew (Grassroots Year: 1994)
Love Song (50 First Dates Soundtrack Year: 2004)
How Do You Feel, First Straw (previously unreleased Year: 2004)

1. Down: Ah yes, the well known classic with tounge-twisting rapping from SA & Nick delivers the classic chorus. 10/10

2. Flowing: I think it was a minor hit, has a technotic intro & then changes to a more metal Yellow Submarine-type beat, then a little metal background on the verses. Nick is basically solo on it with nice, emotional lyrics. 9/10

3. All Mixed Up: One of my favorite songs of all time. Repetiave but very awsome. Another well known classic. I like the way SA sings on it. Awsome beat. 10/10

4. Amber: A reagae ballad, another pretty big one, although I never heard it on radio. Relaxing & bluesy. 8.5/10

5. Come Original: The song that sort-of got me into 311. It's a really awsome tune with nice fast rapping from SA again and Nick is just great on the chorus & short verses. 9/10

6. Beautiful Disaster: It's not a disaster, but it's certianly beautiful! Another classic from their most underappricated album.
Very ska influenced. 9.5/10

7. Creatures (For A While): One of the most recent hits, another classic. Nick's voice is slightly different, well, he's a growin man. He also has black hair now, no more mr. dirty blonde. Guess that's his teen look. He still can sing. :-D 10/10

8. Do You Right: Not really a hit since it's from Music and it wasnt their breakthru, but it shouldve been, I love it. I love how it changes the mood. 10/10

9. I'll Be Here Awhile: Another song with reagae/ska influence, nice melody. 9/10

10. You Wouldn't Believe: I liked them even more when this came out, brings back great memories of 2001. Another popular song from From Chaos, but it couldve been a much bigger hit. Sounds in between Down & Beautiful Disaster. Nice riff before the chorus & SA delivers awsome lines. 10/10

11. Transistor: Probably my least fav on the album, still good. I hope Transistor is as good as this & Beautiful Disaster are. 7/10

12. Don't Stay Home: Minor hit from Blue Album, really good. 8/10

13. Homebrew: Yes, Nick raps on this one! But I have to say, he's not that good of a rapper. No pun intented. Awsome song from Grassroots tho. 8.5/10

14. Beyond The Gray Sky: Probably the slowest ballad 311 has ever done. It has the wawas reminincent of Amber. Not as much reagae influence. SA sings again, but kinda high-pitched. Kind of out-of-place on the album since it was a flop, couldve replaced it with Prisioner. Still really good. 8/10

15. Love Song (Cure cover): Nice cover, but I think Nick's trying a little too hard to sound like Robert Smith on it. Much more mellow than The Cure's version. Overplayed. 8.5/10

16. How Do You Feel?: A bit of a nu-metal-ish attempt here, still really good. 9/10

17. First Straw: The most recent hit, pretty different from almost everything they've done. I don't understand why everyone hates it, I like it alot, I jam to it often. SA sings again & he's still not a bad singer. 8.5/10

Awsome compliation, recomended to anybody who hasnt heard of 311, i'm telling you, theyre one of the best bands youll ever hear.

Love 'em or hate 'em, give the band props for foiling critics, overcoming the 90's-bands-disbanded odds, and taking it to the fans for such a long time. What better way to celebrate than with a definitive best of album?

Though hard-core fans will complain that this b-side or that album track is missing (just as hardcores always do), this greatest hits package packs the hits, perfect for casual fans. With singles ranging from "Homebrew" to "Creatures" this is even great for career-long fans to hear the high-lights all in one place. Punk/Funk numbers like "Down" and "All Mixed Up" had always been 311's calling card, but this set does a great job of summarizing the softer numbers from the second half of the band's existance like "Beyond the Grey Sky," "Amber," "I'll Be Here A While," and "Flowing." And with a couple new songs, including a great cover of "How Do You Feel?" you couldn't ask for much more.

Overall: 8 out of 10.

I wish people would stop whining about this album. Everyone person who's complaining about the track listing should actually look at the title. It's 311-Greatest Hits 93-03, not 311-Best of-93-03. Whoever wrote the review that stated that the band even posted the reason why this is not a greatest hit's album is obviously the only person who gets it. It would be impossible for 311 to gather songs for a Best Of compilation, because almost every 311 is great. Now, that being said, the 17 songs on this album(14 orginal, 1 cover, and 2 new songs) are great and, while they don't nessascarily capture the potential of 311, it offers a fantatic rock album that any true 311 fan, or a fan of rock music in general, can appreciate. So, if you can look past all the complaints you will discover a great album that is well worth it's price tag. Here's to 11 years of 311, and hopefully 11+ years to come.

Best Songs=Homebrew, Do You Right, First Straw, All Mixed Up, Love Song, Creatures(For Awhile), Beyond the Gray Sky

Damn Good Songs=Down, How Do You Feel, Beautiful Disaster, Flowing, Don't Stay Home, Amber, You Wouldn't Believe,

Okay Songs=Come Original, I'll Be Here Awhile, Transisitor

I have not yet to buy this album, but i am in the next few days. This is a great album, espically for a casual 311 listener who doesn't want to go out and buy every album for a few singles that they like. This album is also for the hardcore 311 fan, the two new songs are excellent and all the other songs were released for a reason. Now what I have to clear up is the song choice. The band was told they should make a best of or greatest hits type album, and Nick decided on a greatest hits because there was no way to choose songs for the best of. They chose the songs based on how much they were played, hence the name hits. People who feel 311 should have released a CD with more songs from "Grassroots" and "Music" albums remember they didn't have lots of radio play and thats not what helped to allow the band to make it to this point. The newer albums allowed them to be successful. Just be glad 311 isn't releasing a best of album because that would be a hint that the end was near and thats something no one who considers them selves a fan should hope for.

This cd rocks all the hits (singles) are here, This is a cd for all 311 fans it doesnt matter if your hardcore or not just get it, 15 of their hits, even though prisoner isnt on it, it is still a rockin 311 album

First of all, dont listen to that hater, he doesn't know true music. This cd is a fantastic compilation of, in my opinion, the greatest band in the world's songs. You have all the classics for the old school fans and the new hits for the new comers and everything in between. Not too crazy about "How Do You Feel?" But that is the only downside. Every other song on that cd is excellent. A Must Buy.

Well, what can you say about 311. I will say honestly, in the beginning, I didn't buy into them. It took an off chance for me to finally give them the old college try. And now, six years later, I have to say that 311 could easily be on of the greatest musical groups ever. Now don't bash it just because you dont like it. Because I was you once. I didn't like it. Listen carefully to every one of 311's cd's and think about how much their sound evolves from cd to cd. You can't slap a stupid genre on these guys (which always annoys me) because they don't follow one. What are they? Rap? Rock? Alternative? Reggae? Punk? Funk? There is no one word to describe the music they put together.

The Hexum/Martinez combination on vocals is unrivaled. The high snare sound on Sexton's drumming is signature 311. The versatility of Mahoney's guitar is beautiful. And of course we can't forget P-nut, he speaks for himself.

One other thing to mention, Any band who can put together a live dvd of a 5 hour concert (311 day 2004) and leave out about 30 or so good songs, deserves some kind of merit. But don't leave your 311 live experience to that dvd, experience for yourself, you wont regret it. They were the first concert I saw, and I've seen many many others since, and they still stand as the best live band I've seen. Yes, they were even better than the Backstreet Boys.

I can honestly say that anyone who says 311 is the worst band ever has not really listened to them and is musically ignorant. This greatest hits CD is composed pretty much of all their singles, which are good, but if I could compose a 311 greatest hits CD, it would be entirely different. Actually, it would have to be a 311 greatest hits box set, it's that hard to single out 311 songs.

So, if you never liked 311, give them an honest try, I personally think they are a band that has to grow on you, from experience. If you end up not liking them, that's fine, but if you come to realize the greatness of 311, you will never look back. Go for it, I dare you, look past your ignorance and reach out.

Standing "O" for 311 from a diehard fan...I know there are many onthers out there...

This was my second stab at listening to 311. I had the blue album in 1996 when "Down" was popular and although I liked it I never really considered myself a 311 fan. I bought this CD after seeing a performance "Love Song" on TV. I was amazed in every way by this CD. It is great from start to finish. I never realized how awesome of a band 311 is. I have since bought every 311 CD and the new DVD and it's all insanely cool. They are now one of my favorite bands. This particular comp has what the band says is the songs that had the most chart impact. This is a must start for anyone looking to get into 311. Let's break it down! ...

1. Down - This is the hit song that made 311 get popular on MTV and radio and was the first song I've ever heard. Not my favorite song anymore... maybe it's because I've heard it 10,000 times but it's not a bad song. There are NO bad songs on this comp.

2. Flowing - This starts with a trippy electronic intro and is a pretty much staright rocker throughout and I really dig it. It's got really awesome vocal harmonies.

3. All Mixed Up - If there was a second most known song by 311 to the masses I would say this one maybe. It's hard to comment on this one like "Down" because I remember listening to it in like 9th grade. Mellow Rocker I guess with some hint of reggae. Great Song.

4. Amber - Reggae Dub style song that is really freakin awesome. It's just one of those songs that you wish you wrote.

5. Come Original - Yet another real popular tune that is fantastic. Real catchy and it rocks pretty good. Got some slap base as well as some trippy electronic dub shee-ite that makes this one a winner.

6. Beautiful Disaster - from "Transistor" which is the album people either love or really hate. I think it's my favorite 311 CD but many will disagree. This song however is more neutral. It isn't as different as some other material from Transistor is. Great guitar harmonies and just a cool feel. The recording sounds way different the the other songs.

7. Creatures - This song is sick when the full band kicks in after the intro riff. It's just real heavy sounding. The wah effect during the verse is cool too...

8. Do You Right - I guess they call this the "happy slam dance song". It fits. It has maybe a salsa groove to it. It's unique and the oldest of all songs on this comp. Almost a "Jam Band" feel to it.

9. I'll Be Here Awhile - Awesome acoustic Dub opening and it's a really ska sounding song that is flat out amazing in every way.

10. You Wouldn't Believe - Standard Rocker. Kind of plain and repetetive to me but I guess I expect too much from a band this great and diverse. Again in no way a bad song.

11. Transistor - Also totally different sounding recording. I only kind of like this song. The verse is really robot sounding and just bland. The chorus and reggae break down make up for this song.

12. Don't Stay Home - Straight rocker for most of it but has some mexican salsa (I guess?) elements in the drum parts at times. This was one of the last songs to grow on me but now I love it.

13. Homebrew - This song kicks some posterior. It is a rapper with some rocked out slap bass and is just a fantastic song. Maybe it's just me but when I compared with the Grassroots CD it seems they cleaned it up a lot and made it sound better for this comp.

14. Beyond The Gray Sky - Heavy Reggae influence on this one with an amazing guitar effect during the intro and pre-verse parts. Real Epic feel.

15. Love Song - This is a Cure Cover. It's reggae which I love. I have never heard the The Cure version but I hate The Cure (sorry, hate most 80's) so I don't really care.

16. How Does it Feel? - This is one of two new exclusive tracks. It starts off awkwardly but really takes off once you get a feel for it.

17. First Straw - I read on the message boards of 311 that most fans don't really like this song and hope 311 dosen't move in this direction. Well, I like it. It's mellow but so is a lot of their other music. I find this song a fitting aspect to 311's diverse music pallette.


Alright, overall buy this CD if you have any remote interest in 311!!! They are a very hybrid band with so many influences that really shine. It may take more than one listen to get the feel for any 311 album but I think the best music is this way.