Transistor [Explicit Lyrics]

311

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 5, 1997)
• Original Release Date: August 5, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Label: Capricorn Records
• ASIN: B000003CMZ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (151 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #23,661 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #45 in	Music > R&B > Funk > Metal
  #90 in	Music > Rock > Rap Rock

Track Listings

1. Transistor

2. Prisoner

3. Galaxy

4. Beautiful Disaster

5. Inner Light Spectrum

6. Electricity

7. What Was I Thinking

8. Jupiter

9. Use of Time

10. Continuous Life

11. No Control

12. Running

13. Color

14. Light Years

15. Creature Feature

16. Tune In

17. Rub a Dub

18. Starshines

19. Strangers

20. Borders

See all 21 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

With Sublime and Sugar Ray having made whitewashed reggae a hot commodity on the pop charts, it makes sense that the prime movers of the genre are making a headlong comeback into the fray. With Transistor, 311 goes for the jugular, cramming the disc with over 20 songs, and just as many angles on its melange of rock, hip-hop and Caribbean musical styles. There are hyper rap-metal rehashes of the hit "Down" ("Tune In," "Starshines," and "Borders"), chunky guitar tracks ("Beautiful Disaster"), and lots of frivolous reggae-lite songs ("Light Years," "Stealing Happy Hours"). --Aidin Vaziri

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still their best..., August 2, 2003

By	Joseph H. Dorne "beaufordtech" (Gainesville, FL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Transistor (Audio CD)

I don't understand the so-called "fans" who bash this album for not sounding like old-school 311. This is undeniably 311's most eclectic and experimental album to date, and understandably so; the band was simply at a point in their career where making the same record twice was not an option anymore. Every song on here is amazing, except maybe for "Rub a Dub". Haven't quite figured that one out yet; it's just not 311 at all. This is a long album with only a handful of roof-raising hard rock songs, focusing more on expanding the band's sound into larger territory with songs like "Inner Light Spectrum" and "Stealing Happy Hours". The lyrics here are top notch, not falling into the cheesy territory of the "From Chaos" record. The songs often do not follow traditional song structures, throwing in some interesting time signature changes and rhythmic transitons such as the reggae jam at the end of the title track. Mahoney's guitar work is amazing on this record, focusing less on metal-influenced chords and more on jazz, blues, and reggae soloing. The first thing the 311 listener will notice upon first listen is the greatly reduced usage of rapping. Don't get me wrong; 311 is always good at rapping lyrics, but it's nice to hear two extremely gifted singers finally showcasing their deeper talents. Many people criticize the record for not being like the self-titled "blue" album, but there's one thing you must remember: the self-titled album, while being the band's first big hit album, was in fact their 3rd major label album. They had been doing this act for some time, and it was about time they dared and challenged their listeners to enter new territory with them while still remaining true to their roots. This album may not have all the headbanging party songs from earlier records, but the songwriting is undeniably their best ever. So don't listen to naysayers. 311 has yet to match this album's artistic integrity and genius. Interesting how bands' most creative and interesting albums are often discarded and forgotten by folks these days because they lack the old reliable sound of the band. Other sad examples of this are Nine Inch Nails' "The Fragile", Led Zeppelin's "Presence", and Pearl Jam's amazing "No Code". Listen with an open ear, folks. This record may take a little time to grow on you, but once it does, you'll be glad it did.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Underrated and Misunderstood, July 22, 2003

By	Joe (Rockford, Il) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Transistor (Audio CD)

I know that Aidin Vaziri may be some big shot freelance music reviewer, but everything I've read by Aidin sounds as if he doesn't know much about music at all. Don't get me wrong, he points out how much he knows about different musical groups, but never does he talk about the quality going into those groups. His review on Transistor is ridiculous. This is (in my opinion) one of the most underrated albums of all time, right there with anything by Silverchair. According to Aidin, this album was a bad attempt to follow suit with the reggae movement. Wow. They weren't trying to be something they aren't, maybe Aidin should listen to all of 311's albums. They've always shown their influence in reggae. Absolute masterpiece. If you've heard it before and disliked it, HEAR it again.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful departure from the ordinary, February 3, 2005

By	John H. Wiemers "army medic" (wiesbaden, germany) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Transistor (Audio CD)

This record is bliss. I find the beats and rhythms stellar, while the songs transport me to different places with their psychedelic appeal, voyaging into new territory almost on each track. This album was way ahead of its time when it came out in 1997. 311 found their artistic niche with Transistor, and they went against a lot of expectations by the mainstream audience and disapproving media who wanted another "blue album" (a nice record itself, but not as artistic or musical as this one). I believe such criticism must be taken lightly when judging this art form, for we all have our own subjective tastes and separate definitions of what "good music" must sound like. You sort of have to feel it out for yourself and see if Transistor rubs you the right or wrong way. For too many others, they wanted the same thing that came before, dismissing this album.
To me Transistor feels like the future of music, combining many styles and infusing skilled instrumental play with ambient progressions of vocals, melodies, and song ideas. Transistor rocks, but it has so much more to offer than any casual fan will be ready for.
If 311 ever decide to follow such an abstract direction again, then they will truly shatter the limitations that musical mediators try and use to weigh down recording artists that have made it big. There is a notion to be easily digestible and not overstep any creative bounds beyond simplicity. Fortunately for us, there exists 311.

I don't believe there's anything wrong with going against the norm (sometimes it's needed badly), and 311 displayed this by writing what they wanted. I give a lot of respect to them for pushing the envelope and having this much ambition at a time when they were enjoying much success.
This album is amazing. It's probably best to listen to in an atmosphere that is conducive to feelings of comfort and peace, humming along with headphones on. But, to each his own. So enjoy!

I cannot wait to hear what's in store next.