311 - Evolver (2 LP)

One of a plethora of long-lived bands to have realized the potential of a strong grassroots following, 311 had been pushing its particular amalgam of toke-friendly rock, funk, and rap for over a decade by EVOLVER's release. It finds the collective riding similar rhythms and mining similar lyrical veins to 2001's FROM CHAOS, the main difference being that this year's model sounds more confident and willing to take risks.The lilting intro to "Crack the Code" presages a cruise through reggae, rap, and Californian punk rock influences, while "Beyond the Gray Sky" meanders soulfully along its jazzy, low-key path before climaxing in a cascade of neo-psychedelia. Speaking of which, "Seems Uncertain" confounds jaded expectations by steering just such a pastoral course through its entirety, eschewing the regulation collapse into thundering guitar amplitude. EVOLVER is full of such surprises. 311: Nicholas Hexum (vocals, guitar); S.A. (vocals); Tim Mahoney (guitar); P-Nut (bass); Chad Sexton (drums, percussion). Format: Vinyl, 2 LP Released: 04/19/2014 Genre: Rock, Alternative Remember, for our lowest prices, always order directly from our official JocoRecords website! Track Listing: A1        Creatures (For A While)    4:26A2        Reconsider Everything    2:50A3        Crack The Code    3:55B1        Same Mistake Twice    3:21B2        Beyond The Gray Sky    4:18B3        Seems Uncertain    3:35C1        Still Dreaming    3:41C2        Give Me A Call    3:21C3        Don't Dwell    2:39D1        Other Side Of Things    3:08D2        Sometimes Jacks Rule The Realm    5:21D3        Coda    1:16