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34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The 411 On 311., March 11, 2005
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?
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fulfilling the casual listener's desires, October 22, 2004
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.
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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
311 is one of the best alternitive rock bands ever..., December 10, 2004
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.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
I'm on a quest with a vision, I've got love and tradition, I wear a mask that grins and laughs, I remember what I've done
THE TRILOGY OF DEBUT ALBUMS, 1993-1996
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Nick Hexum shares his favorite music with Amazon customers. See all artists' picks on our Music You Should Hear page.
is one of 311's 
