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 Sub-Par... Dec 27, 2008
This album features a small handfull of songs which embody the relaxed, funky 311 sound, but for the most part this is an album of generic radio-rock. What we see on here is a watered down 311, aspiring towards a "mature" sound to no avail.
I understand that Nick & the boys were well into their 30s (except p-nut) on this release and that perhaps it was awkward for Nick to keep rapping. But I honestly don't understand why they had to drop the sound that earned them a crazy cult following in the first place. If they want to stray away from the slight hip-hop influence they had, that's fine, but keep the music funky like it was. There is minimal slap-bass, no heavy riffs, very little funk. The reggae edge seems to be all they kept, but it too sounds diluted and forced.
I realize that all bands "evolve" with age, but I honestly expected 311 to be more consistent. That said, they still put on a great live show and seem to play mostly older tracks. Hmmm...I wonder why!
I will give this album 3 stars (although if compared to 311's older work it deserves 1/2 a star) because it can still trump any other "popular" rock that's out their. While it has no 311 edge to it, it's solid music, just bland.
 311's weakest effort yet Oct 22, 2007
Many said 1997's Transistor was a shoddy, overdrawn experimental production, not worthy of the ranks of the Blue album. The experimental nature of the album gives it charm, a new sound and a new direction; which is what 311 are excellent at doing. I'll take Transistor over Blue any day. Evolver, though slightly experimental for 311, is no Transistor. Sometimes Jacks Will Rule the Realm breaks all of 311's rules and it is an incredible song, one of their best. The songs are catchy, they simply lack the soul of the previous two albums. While I think this album is a valiant effort by 311, and I do enjoy it, I stick by my opinion that it is their weakest effort to date. I've listened to Don't Tread on Me ( which is superb ) more than this album.
Not too much of an evolution. It's different, okay? Aug 12, 2007
Evolver has more of a different sound for the band, and the songs on here really aren't the biggest evolution ever. Still though, it sounds different and still has what makes 311 great as a band.
It's not too diverse, but 311 brings up new sounds, and some familiar sounds with a great twist, which keeps it from becoming stale. Sometimes Jacks Rules the Realm is nothing like a pervious song, and the outro is mellow and cool enough. Seems Uncertain features a flute, acoustic guitars, and other things, that one is a new sound 311 has never done before. Crack The Code really jams, it sounds like nothing else they have done. Creatures (for a while) rocks out at the beggining like Incubus does, and the verses... well listen to the samples on amazon (I only reccomend it because it has the verse in the sample). Beyond The Grey Sky is a great song about suicide, with a soaring chorus, and a mellow verse that actually you get enough of.
Not everything on here is that original, there are some typical 311 rock songs. Great thing though, is that they are good songs. Give me a call kind of has the groove that Evolution does in the chorus, which is welcom e because more of that is good. Don't Dwell is just fun (with a cool bassline), Reconsider Everything is typical. Other Side Of Things is a highlight, built off of Offbeat Bare @$$, but totally different enough. IT's a good listen.
The weaker tracks are same mistake twice, a mediocre rip-off of Flowing, and Still Dreaming, which is boring, tired, shtick. Other than that, this album still rocks on it's own. Most 311 fans would concure.
Lasly, stop comparing 311 and the rhcp! Those bands are entirely different enough to be two different bands. Both are talented bands (well, except anthony). Try both of em'.
IT's not for casual listener, but 311 fanatics won't mind. Ignore all the critics who write _____. Oh and to the editorial review: F**** you!
8.0/10
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 311 at its finest... Sep 24, 2006
I am a big 311 fan and i have a copy of basically every studio album they have ever released. Believe me when I say that if you like 311 you will not be disapointed with this cd. 'Evolver' expands and matures on the distinct sound found on the 'Soundsystem' album and marks 311's highest point yet. Although this album only produced 2 major singles, "Creatures(for a while)" and "Beyond The Gray Sky", almost every song is worthy of airplay. If you are looking for a studio album with more songs you've heard before try 'From Chaos', but if you want to be able to pop a 311 cd into your car and not want to skip any songs, 'Evolver' is the cd for you.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Album made for live performances Aug 12, 2006
Being a 311 fan for over 11 years now, I have heard just about every recording they have ever made. With that said, I would like to note that on first listening to this cd, I was not completeley amazed or blown away by it. The whole album was worth listening to and enjoyable, but not any better than the rest of the catalog. But I have to make a point that all of the songs on this cd are AMAZING concert material. They simply sound perfect live and in person. "Beyond the gray sky" was a live performance that was not easily forgettable.
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