Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
They grew up and accepted what they are, June 21, 2009
I remember back in the day hearing "Do You Right" when I was working in radio, and I thought, wow, this band is gonna be huge. While they had staggered airplay on alternative radio after that, they never really blew up the way I thought, and there was never another track that really grabbed my attention.
Fast forward to 2009 when "alternative radio" is now that stuff from a decade ago mixed with some current stuff, and "Hey You" hits heavy rotation. I barely listen to radio anymore, so to hear it means someone thinks it's hot. I listened to the previews on Amazon, and decided it was worth the gamble to buy.
These guys are no spring chickens anymore, but the impression that I got immediately is that they take themselves less seriously and are willing to just be whatever it is they are, which admittedly is hard to classify. The vocalists are adequate and mediocre, but they're influenced by so many genres that they're hard to classify. By giving into it and doing their thing, I think this is the most accessible thing they've put out. Pop fans will love it, much to the dismay of their hard core fans, I'm sure.
"Hey You" is certainly a great track all around, and representative of the thing I like about them: It mixes some great harmonies, drops a big change in the bridge, then brings it home. It's a pattern you find on a lot of songs, and I love it. "Mix It Up," "India Ink," "Never Ending Summer" and "I Like The Way" are impossible to get out of your head.
They go in a lot of mellow directions in between as well, some with driving background guitar ("Golden Sunlight," with another one of those killer bridges) and some that just kind of wander ("Two Drops In The Ocean"). It's a surprisingly well paced album, with the exception of "Jackpot," which sounds completely out of place.
I'll maintain that the big story here is the inclusion of "Sun Come Through" as an "Amazon Exclusive," as this should've been a part of the album proper, and is easily the most impressive song in this release. It's the correct ending to the album. I'm not sure what the authors intended, but for me it's a great song about finding yourself, setting aside destructive behavior and centering yourself after some nasty stuff. It's this band's "Yellow Ledbetter," if you will. It'll take lots of fan requests and brave radio people to get this out into the open. It's easily the best song I've ever heard from them.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Worse than Don't Tread on Me, July 1, 2009
After listening to Uplifter, I will no longer automatically buy the next 311 album. There is now a presumption that each 311 album will be worse than the last.
Although the band has long prided itself on mixing musical styles in new and interesting ways, Uplifter is comprised mainly of formulaic songs that sound extremely dated for an album released in 2009. The number of "Who-oh-oh"s and "Yeah-ah-ah"s uttered by Nick Hexum and S.A. Martinez ruin seemingly every song. In fact, I retract my initial statement; if the band could produce a single album without filling every open musical space with unnecessary vocals, I might consider buying it. I'm serious, stop with the lame and gratuitous vocalizations and just let the band fill that space instead.
There are some highlights: the bass midway through "It's Alright", Tim Mahoney's raunchy guitar and the groove on "Never Ending Summer", and S.A. Martinez's continued confidence in his singing voice. However, most of the songs get bogged down with sluggish power chords and choruses that sap any real energy or momentum.
Critics have never really liked 311, and wrongfully so in my opinion. However, criticism of the recent albums has been pretty much spot-on. They just doesn't write songs that are interesting anymore. The band that once mixed half a dozen rhythmns and riffs into a compelling two or three minute song now sounds like they spend all their time figuring out how to recycle the generic 90's cliches they managed to avoid in the 90's.
I understand that the band has matured and 311 wants to demonstrate the depth of their songwriting by branching out from what worked for them in their early career, and I'm not expecting another Grassroots. Unfortunately, the songs they're writing just aren't any good. I usually go see the band play at least once a year and trust me, if they played no songs from Evolver, Don't Tread on Me, or Uplifter no one would complain. But, at least I know when to go get a beer.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Evolution has Exponential Timing, June 11, 2009
I really don't understand some of the negative reviews I've read about this album. I've been a 311 fan since high school, have every album, and have been to over 7 shows (8 after the summer 09' tour stop). 311 has always been about unity and "uplifting" music. Their lyrics have never been the strongest, but their music and sound have more then made up for it.
That being said, I think Uplifter shows the evolution 311 has made in over 20 years. Bob Rock has helped push this band to new heights. Uplifter is an album that catches you from the first run-through, and this album produces some of the best 311 melodies and harmonies I've heard from any of their albums. Here are my track ratings...
1. Hey You -9/10- Band's first radio track. Love the tempo change in the middle of the song and harmonies are fantastic!
2. It's Alright -8/10- Once again some great harmonies. "One song could end the war" a very strong meaniful lyric. Love the bass and guitar mash up in the middle of this track.
3. Mix it Up -7/10- This song will appeal to the female gender. It has a great dance groove to it that will be great live.
4. Golden Sunlight -10/10- I love the fact that 311 has added some mellow tracks to this album. Once again, Nick and SA provide great harmonies, and SA's solo in the middle is great. You'll find yourself singing this chorus in the shower!
5. India Ink -10/10- This song is probably my favorite on the album. It provides a Red Hot Chili Pepper vibe to it. I love the mix of Nick's raps, amazing chorus line, and the eastern guitar rifs in the middle. Can't wait to see this one live!
6. Daisy Cutter -5/10- This track is pretty much the only track on Uplifter that I have a hard time with. Just pretty much weak all around.
7. Too Much Too Fast -7/10- I have never heard a 311 song like this, so it took a couple run throughs catch on. But it actually grows on you after a couple listens. Shows Nick's vocal maturity since the last album, DTOM.
8. Never Ending Summer -10/10- This song will be an awesome opener for the summer tour. It has a Soundsystem-type vibe, and a fun dance groove. Once again, the chorus line and harmonies are amazing. Tim's face melting solo at the end of this track is blow your mind!
9. Two Drops in the Ocean -10/10- Will remind you of the Love Song remake. My wife loves this song, and I think this would be a great 2nd radio release. It is very catchy and is best listened to with a pina colada in hand!
10. Something Out of Nothing -9/10- Love the hard tone to this song. Love how they can go from love song to hard throughout this album. Lyrics are a little weak but Nick and SA's harmonies make up for it.
11. Jackpot -9/10- This one will also be amazing live. Reminds me of "You Get Worked" with the hard edge rhymes.
12. My Heart Sings -8/10- Another love ballad that will remind you of Amber. Ladies will also love this track.
13. I Like the Way -9/10- This track is very catchy from the first play. Love Chad's drum beats "Enough contact to make me come back". SA sounds very good in this track. Another one of my wife's favorites.
14. Get Down -10/10- One of the best songs on the album. I love how this song builds up from the beginning. SA really pushes his vocals in this track, and I think he succeeds beautifully. Great harmonies make for a great conclusion to the album.
Buy this album. You will not be disappointed! 311's continues to "uplift" with every album, and this one is no different! Thank you Bob Rock for pushing 311 to new levels!
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