Unfortunately on their fourth record, 1997’s “Transistor,” their newfound mainstream sense of songwriting has left them with lower self-standards for putting tracks together. There are times on this record where it seems like the Omaha boys are content with releasing any half-assed jam-session they please as an A-side to listeners. However, with 21 tracks on one disc, that is a fact that’s bound to make an appearance as a characteristic, especially with a quick-natured group like 311. The truly upsetting aspect of “Transistor” overall, is that it comes out fully baked with a heaping load of filler and cut-rate tracks that seem intent on watering down the group’s discography as their sole purpose. Now keep in mind, there are some great moments amongst this lengthy album, and how could their not be? After the quintet has delivered three rock-solid albums one year after another, it would be a true meltdown for this album to have nothing great on it, and thankfully it does. Opener “Transistor” is as punchy and hypnotic as smash-hit “Down” was, but introduces the song’s hook in a different fashion that keeps their signature fashion fresh. This was done at their very own Pow Wow Festival, created to commemorate the 14th anniversary of the album.The following track, single “Prisoner” is positively groovy and transient of any and all relaxing energies it will undoubtedly cause listeners to zone out until its near three minute span comes to a sharp end.īoth “Starshines” and “Borders” rock hard and raw like material from the Blue Album, “Strangers” is undeniably funky, “Inner Light Spectrum” is ambient and inventive, and “Electricity” demonstrates a nearly perfect merger between mainstream riffage and more indie-friendly delivery. Over time, Transistor has developed a cult following and become a fan favourite, eventually leading to the band performing the album in its entirety on August 6, 2011, in front of over 10,000 fans. It's the deep cuts that you play over and over again, trying to catch the meaning", they conclude that the album is "one of a kind". Commenting that "the singles aren't what make Transistor great. In contrast, the album was retrospectively received positive by Consequence of Sound, comparing it to The Beatles' album Sgt. Rolling Stone criticized the album, saying it is "trying too hard to expand their sonic horizons" and comments how they seem to unwillingly change their musical style. Entertainment Weekly also panned the album, stating that the album features "some of the weakest rhymes and derivative white-bread dub in recent memory" and concludes that they don't know "the thin line between experimentation and self-indulgence". ![]() Club, who says "With 21 songs spread out over 68 minutes, the record has taken plenty of critical punishment for its excessive length alone." and calls it a "joyless, tedious exercise in white-boy reggae, white-boy rap, white-boy dub and white-boy rock.", concluding that the band could suffer a Spin Doctors-style career combustion in the future. The album has received criticism from The A.V. They nominated the song "Transistor" as the only Track Pick from the album. Allmusic comments "A project of this magnitude is almost doomed to fall on its face, and Transistor nearly does." and notes that there's enough good songs for a 30 to 40 minute album, but has too much filler. Transistor received a mixed review from Allmusic. Transistor also contains elements of dub, space rock and funk. Although, their rap rock style is still present in some songs, such as "Galaxy", "No Control", "Tune In", "Starshines", and "Borders". ![]() While still utilizing their alternative rock sound in many songs, Transistor saw 311 moving away from their hip hop-influenced sound of their previous albums for more of a reggae-influenced sound, as shown in songs such as "Prisoner", "Inner Light Spectrum", "Running", "Rub a Dub", and "Stealing Happy Hours". Nick Hexum admitted that doing too many songs in not enough time for Transistor was a mistake. Transistor was originally intended to be a double album, but all songs were instead placed onto one disc. Retrospectively, however, the album has been more positively received.Ĭlocking in at 67:59 and with twenty-one tracks (or twenty-three, counting both hidden tracks), Transistor is 311's longest album and is the only 311 album to contain more than sixteen tracks. Upon its release, Transistor received negative reviews from critics, who felt that the record was overlong and self-indulgent. The album saw a change in musical style as fewer songs feature rapping in comparison to the band's previous albums. About Transistor is the fourth studio album by 311.
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