Grassroots [Explicit Lyrics][Original recording reissued]

311

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 12, 1994)
• Original Release Date: July 12, 1994
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics, Original recording reissued
• Label: Volcano
• ASIN: B00005ABHN
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (116 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #14,678 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

Starting where Holland's Urban Dance Squad left off--thrash rock coupled with hip-hop beats, rapping, and Jamaican-style toasting--311 found their own voice on 1994's Grassroots. Here they prove to be an estimable groove machine on cuts such as "Applied Science" and "Omaha Stylee," blending turntable moves and ska rhythms like a kinder, gentler Fishbone. Avowed stoners, they dip into noodly Grateful Dead territory on the jammy "Taiyed," touch on Meters-style funk in the sleek "Grassroots," and echo the Bad Brains on the rasta-metal mosh "Salsa." Their dub-rock lexicon is spoken by the likes of Sublime, Limp Bizkit, and Sugar Ray--players in a rock genre of which Grassroots is a modern classic. --James Rotondi

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Lord, Yes..., June 24, 2004

By	Jason Penick (Oakland, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Listening to GRASSROOTS today, I'm still overwhelmed by the variety of styles on this record. When it came out in 1994, it sounded like nothing else on the pop music radar. Here was a hard rock band that was equally comfortable playing reggae, latin-tinged ballads, "jam band" rock, rap and even a little jazz. Unlike many other versatile groups of the time (Phish, Dave Matthews) 311 rocked harder and very often melded these various styles into one seamless track. It's this type of musical alchemy that propelled 311 to their status as one of the top live bands in the U.S., while at the same time confusing lame critics (Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly) who were incapable of accepting a sound so utterly original.

The laugh is squarely on the critics now. 311 have been together for almost 15 years now, and they're as big as they've ever been. Yet GRASSROOTS remains their masterpiece; 45 minutes of essential 311 music.

01. Homebrew 10/10 - The perfect opening salvo with a killer Led Zep guitar riff and lyrics inspired by an acid trip.

02. Lucky 7/10 - Weakest track on the CD. Still salvaged by its percussive groove and funny lyrics.

03. Nutsymtom 9/10 - Heavy intro groove, breaks into a Santana-like jam for the second half with a killer Tim Mahoney guitar solo.

04. 8:16 am 9/10 - Very pretty mellow rocker. Exactly the type of song you wouldn't expect from this sort of band and a great example of their genre-smashing greatness.

05. Omaha Stylee 9/10 - Awesome rap-flavored track is a shoutout to their home town.

06. Applied Science 8/10 - Nice groove, killer Chad Sexton drum solo.

07. Taiyed 8/10 - Another good change-of-pace track. SA handles all the lyrics himself while Nick Hexum sits in on second guitar. Another wicked Tim Mahoney solo (the CD in general is totally loaded with his genius lead guitar work.)

08. Silver 8/10 - One of the heaviest cuts on the disc. Yet another killer groove and more astute lyrics from Hexum.

09. Grassroots 9.5/10 - Title track does a fantastic job of combining 311's many styles into a whole greater than the some of its parts. Total 311 synergy.

10. Salsa 8/10 - Another propulsive headbanger with some great lyrics from SA; "the girl who gave you her sex I heard was homeless..." Priceless!

11. Lose 9/10 - Out of nowhere, a great Caribbean flavored jazz ballad with Hexum coming across like a male Billie Holiday. Guarenteed to impress even the biggest 311 hata.

12. Six 9/10 - Sinewy riff establishes a menacing groove that relents on the ska-infected chorus. The ending on this one is incredible.

13. Offbeat Bare-Ass 9.5/10 - This album is loaded with bad-ass guitar riffs, but this one may take the cake. Lyrics here about being horrassed by the cops for having a Dead sticker on your tour bus are insightful and have a keen sensitivity beyond the grasp of most "alternative rockers".

14. 1-2-3 10/10 - This beautiful slow jam seals the deal for GRASSROOTS as the best 311 album of all time.

Overall, this is an album that-- despite limited commercial success upon its release-- has grown in reputation to be one of the bona-fide classics of the genre. Highly recommended to all fans of great rock music.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Album ever Made, August 6, 2003

By	"drew14jmu" (Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews

"Grassroots" is truly a masterpiece. It is the band at their best musically, creatively, and lyrically. After an amazing debut album in "Music," the band hit their peak with their sophomore album. I would recommend every 311 album to any fan, except possibly the Self-Titled (Blue) album [some like it but I think it is their weakest effort]. However, this album is truly a must-have for any music fan, whether they like 311 or not. In my opinion, this is the best album ever made (of any band).

1. Homebrew (5/5) - Perfect opener. the guitar riff and vocals go together perfectly, and the chorus is extremely smooth. Gets the listener hyped up for the rest of the album.

2. Lucky (5/5) - Another great song. Chorus is catchy, and the vocals flow extremely well.

3. Nutsymptom (5/5) - This song took more than a few listens to grow on me, but I love it now. The beginning you will either love or hate, but once the song switches halfway through to a irresistable slap bass line from P-Nut and a phenomenal solo from Tim, one can't help but groove to the song.

4. 8:16 AM (5/5) - This is one of my favorite 311 songs. Beautiful lyrics, and a chorus that makes you want to drift away. This is an extremely unique song, and everytime I listen to it I never want it to end.

5. Omaha Stylee (5/5) - IMO this is the song that truly defines the 311 style. Hard rocking riffs, with a chorus that has a distinct reggae feel to it. The lyrics speak about the band's "Grassroots" in Nebraska, and is a concert favorite. No other band would or could make a song like this, and it is truly a masterpiece that is one of the favorites of most 311 fans.

6. Applied Science (4/5) - I think this song would be considered medicocre compared to the rest of the album if it weren't for a perfect drum solo in the middle of it. Perhaps not the longest or most technically difficult solo, but it fits the song perfectly. The band does a wonderful 5 member version of it when performing this song live. Probably should be given 5/5 but I'll be tough since I like a few of the other songs a bit more.

7. Taiyed (5/5) - Very laid-back song. SA flows wonderfully over a mellow guitar riff. Only complaint is that it is a bit short, because to be honest I could listen to him go on forever and be content.

8. Silver (4/5) - good rock guitar riff, and wonderful lyrics (for the most part). Some people love this song, however it is one of my least favorite on this album. Still, by no means a bad song.

9. Grassroots (5/5) - This is probably my second favorite 311 song. It has everything in it. Great drums, fitting guitar, a hard rock part and a mellow part as well. Upon listening to the album the first time, this is the song that stuck out to me. Some people don't like the fact that the beat switches up constantly and not always fluidly, but I think it adds more of a raw feeling to the song. I absolutely love this song.

10. Salsa (5/5) - This could possible be the best flow/rhyme/rap/whatever you want to call it, song 311 has done. Nick starts out with a phenomenal verse, and then SA comes in with probably the longest verse he has penned to date. It seems like he goes on forever and I love it. Maybe not as creative as the other songs, but it is great to listen to.

11. Lose (6/5) - This is my favorite song in the world. 311 and every other band included, I love this song more than any I have heard. The lyrics (simple but beautiful) are perfectly crafted over a mellow guitar riff and a nice drum beat. The guitar solo is just what the song calls for. IMO music doesn't get any more perfect than this.

12. Six (5/5) - Back to the creative 311 style, this song blends rhymes with a simple but catchy guitar riff and a good chorus. I love how during the last part of the song SA and Nick layer vocals on top of each other to create a great groove.

13. Offbeat Bare-ass (2/5) - Good hard rock instrumentation, but the vocals just dont seem to go with the song. It does provide a bit of humor, as the "story" (if you want to call it that) makes it hard for the listener not to crack a smile. By far my least favorite song on the album, because it lacks the creative and rythmic genious of the other tracks.

14. 1,2,3 (5/5) - Wow. What a perfect way to end the album. With this wonderful mellow song in which SA's melodic voice is showcased a bit, the Grassroots album is brought to a close in a fitting way. From the heavy rock riff of "Homebrew" that started the album out to this melodic gem that ends it, the 311 style at its peak is truly encompassed perfectly. Another unique song with great lyrics which makes the listener question how this band could possibly craft such interesting songs.

Overall this album is phenomenal. The only things some might find disturbing are the less-than-stellar production (although it gives it more of a raw feel which some, including myself, like); and the fact that not all songs are smooth in transition from one part or riff to another. As with all 311 albums, YOU MUST LISTEN TO IT AT LEAST 5 times before you will come to appreciate it. This isn't catchy pop music, and it will require multiple listens before one truly appreciates it. All in All, this album is a MUST for anybody interested in hearing good music.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For fans who "get it", this album is pure 311 bliss!, August 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Grassroots (Audio CD)

As an avid 311 fan from way back, I often wonder which of their albums deserves to be called my favorite. I don't think there is such an animal... but as far as the most constant, track 1 to track 14 enjoyment, Grassroots takes the cake. The five geniuses of the band take you from catchy rock (just TRY getting Homebrew out of your head!) to mellow, always melodic sublimity. Silliness abounds in Offbeat Bear Ass, as does their peace and freedom vibe. Omaha Stylee is perhaps the perfect 311 song... an upbeat musical journey that begins with an amazing little hook. Listen to 1,2,3 when you're feeling a little rueful and need a dose of optimism. The title track and Applied Science are both evidence of Nick Hexum's brilliance, and SA Martinez really struts his stuff in Nutsymtom. New 311 fans, pick this album up! You will be glad you did!