311: Soundsystem : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

The Nebraska-born, L.A.-based rockers of 311 have spent a career foraying into funk, rap and reggae. On Soundsystem, their sixth album, they offer their most ambitious fusion yet -- each track is a whirlwind tour of their soulful influences. Alas, the ingredients usually refuse to mix in 311's hands, resulting in disjunctions that veer between the bland and the unintentionally funny. Enjoyable low points include the rock-reggae number "Strong All Along," which features sunny vocalist Nick Hexum exhorting white homeboys everywhere to "take on the love and the good karma." On the hipless hip-hop of "Evolution," Hexum goes on to preach technological positivity with the immortal rhyme, "If it's understood/It could be used for good/And would." The band does infuse real funk into the guitar distortion of "Large in the Margin." But Soundsystem only really clicks on tracks like "Eons," where the band returns to its murky metal origins. It may sound retro, but at least the roots are real. (RS 824)

NEVA CHONIN