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Two words entered my mind upon first listening to 311's sixth studio recording: HOLY SHIT!!!! I've been a devoted hardcore 311 fan since 1996 when "Down" began receiving major radio/MTV play some 8 months after their so-called blue album was released. Putting years of support aside, I can honestly say that this is one AMAZING album, quite possibly the best one they have recorded.
From Chaos marks 311's triumphant return! Finally, the L.A.-by-way-of-Omaha quintet has found the sound they've been trying so hard to cultivate! Transistor, their follow-up to their breakthrough "blue album" was a start in the right direction, but was viewed by fans as aimless and self-indulgent. Since then, 311 released Omaha Sessions (a novel rareities compilation), a very mediocre live album, and their fifth album Soundsystem, which was decent and had some cool tunes on it, but was nothing special.
With a new record label supporting them (Volcano) and new-found confidence in themselves, 311 went back in the studio with "blue album" producer Ron St. Germain. And 311 finally did what they should have been doing the past four years... to just relax and let the music flow. And this time the results were phenomenal!
From Chaos is a tight collection of wonderfully crafted songs which either rock the house, are jammy trippy, or somewhere in between. All throughout the album, they experiment with varying time signatures, instruments like keyboards, computers, theremin, and even a flute. 311 takes elements of what they do best, and magnifies it on each and every song. The album's first single, You Wouldn't Believe demonstrates a refreshed 311 working together as the song is recorded live and everyone in the band aptly showcases their respective talent. The album's title track features Nick Hexum (vocals, guitar, programming, and principle song writer) triumphantly exclaiming how they have survived all of their sour times (i.e. diminshed fanbase, record label problems, relationship issues, etc.) Not only that, but the title track showcases varied time signatures and some supreme raps that we haven't seen this good on a 311 album in awhile.
Every song on the album is distinct and unique, which features uniquehowever this time around the songs work together to form a tight listen. Nick returns to his old hip-hop rappin' groove on tunes like Sick Tight in which he and co-vocalist/lyricist S.A. Martinez humorously knock the bloated rap-metal scene. Hostile Apostle is another heavy number where tempos are changed up throughout the song. On this track, it sounds like Hexum (with some keen megaphone vocals seems to be lambasting the likes of Mr. Marilyn Manson for his negativity and false image. Along side these tunes, others explore a trippy jam-band quality which make you feel like you're floating wondrously in space while keeping it real with a flowing groove. Two such tunes include Amber which is another "believe in yourself" song and Champagne which derides the shallowness of Hollywood. Wake Your Mind Up (which is what this song does) features a jaw-dropping guitar solo courtesy of Tim Mahoney, worthy enough to make Kirk Hammett drool and P-Nut busts out a tasty bass solo worthy of Bootsy Collins' worship. Co-songwriter Chad Sexton displays his amazing drumming ability on every track, maintaining a bouncy consistent, yet varied groove. There is not one substandard tune on this album.
The album closes with I'll Be Here Awhile, a ska tinged track which deftly displays that they can play any style they wish. This is their proclamation that they will continue to always create quality music no matter how large or small their fanbase is, and that they intend to survive through any trend. Their music is honest, as it always has been from the start, over 10 years ago. From Chaos is unbelievably tight and focused, yet more experimental and daring while displaying their talent as songwriters and musicians. In my opinion, this is 311's best album in every respect, while also being one of the best albums of the year. Hardcore fans will definitely love it. Those who have yet to be bitten, by the 311 bug and looking for something new, exciting and different, this is a VERY worthy album to check out! 311 in 2K1!!!!
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