Uplifter
[Volcano; 2009]
Posted by Adam Clair on 01 June 2009
Let me just get this out of the way up front: More like “Come Unoriginal.”
I’ve been reviewing music for a few years now, and regardless of the quality of the CD I’m discussing, I try to give every record a good shot. To give a fair assessment of an album, I feel like I have to spin it at least a few times before I come to any conclusions.
But as I listened to 311’s rap-rock retread Uplifter for the first, fifth, fourteenth times, I found myself struggling to come up with anything to say that I couldn’t have said months before I had heard it at all or in fact anything I couldn’t have said about the band when they were churning out identical tunes a decade or two ago. Part of me considered just copying and pasting a review of 311’s 1995 self-titled breakthough.
Maybe that was a bit harsh, but let me tell you why negative music reviews always seem especially acerbic. Music critics are always, first and foremost, music fans. Some call themselves aficionados or audiophiles, but regardless, they enjoy listening to music. So when they’re tasked with reviewing a garbage record and are forced to listen to it whole bunch in lieu of something they like, that bile inevitably seeps into the review.
For the last week, I’ve had to listen to 311.
Despite a layoff since 2005’s Don’t Tread on Me, 311 are still holding fast to the formula that got them where they are: a lilting reggae rhythm with a crunchy metal center. Throw in some slap bass, add some shitty lyrics (“I drink you in with a sip/But I really want to chug“—seriously?), and call it a day. Why the hell did this take four years?
Occasionally, there are some minor stylistic exceptions to the rule. “My Heart Sings” is an uncharacteristically light affair, “Get Down” is straight up hip-hop, and “Golden Sunlight” finishes up as something of a pop-punk number. Ultimately, though, Uplifter never once strays from that fun-in-the-sun pseudo-insouciance.
When your music is mostly innocuous to begin with, the status quo won’t get you very far, and this is why Uplifter fails: no risks, no statement, no ambition whatsoever. It’s an album that never needed to be made—or, for that matter, heard.
31%
June 1st, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Everyone’s entitled to their opinion. But I do have to comment on one thing. When you spend the first part of the article hyping up that you actually listened to the album several times before making your comments, and then you go and call “Golden Sunlight” incorrectly as “Golden Affair”, it takes away a lot of credibility. They may have some fo the same influences as previous albums, but you cannot deny that it is a different sound for 311, especially with “Too Much Too Fast”. Sorry you didn’t enjoy the album, it happens, but at least be accurate and not write the stereotypical 311 album review
June 1st, 2009 at 7:53 pm
Thanks for the correction
-Editor
June 10th, 2009 at 3:06 am
This was a good review. Really in depth. I can see you have a good grasp on music and you put lots of effort in to making it credible.
June 15th, 2009 at 3:03 am
You sound like a student
June 25th, 2009 at 9:38 am
I don't really think the saying how 311 puts out the same sound is accurate. Listen to blue than pop in DTOM . Sure any band has a signature sound but i would hardly say you can copy and paste a review. Though this album incorporates many of the older sounds that have been missing in the most recent albums which many 311 fans are excited about. I have a feeling you don't quite understand the genius of this band, but that isn't your fault . I don't understand Brittany Spears or lady ga ga.So with that being said I love the song get down but I would hardly call it hip hop. I think you missed your mark this album has a lot to offer in terms of music and style. It is a nice fresh breath of air to radio's obsession with old grunge, indie, not to mention that whole other category of music played on the radio.( with the lil waynes (sp?) that will make us go why did we listen to this horrible music (kind of like disco))
August 4th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
I'm a huge 311 fan, but honestly Uplifter really is garbage. An enormous disappointment. All the hype about how the band is "going back to its sound" similar to the early days of Music, etc, and how this is supposed to be "the heaviest album yet". From all the talk I was expecting "Blue part 2", but what we got is not even close. This is the first 311 album ever that I cannot find a single track I even half way like. There's no catchy riffs, the lyrics are horrible and uninspired and don't even get me started on the poppy, watered down, bland sound. (This album took how many years? Seriously?) I'm afraid after 20 years, they've just got nothing left to say. Soundsystem was the last GOOD album. FC was ok, a few good tracks, Evolver was weak, DTOM was horrible, but not nearly as bad as Uplifter. I agree that this album should never have been made. Looks like I don't need to rearrange my playlist this year as I was hoping, maybe in 2 more years? If their current trend is any indication… it's not looking good.
August 15th, 2009 at 5:09 am
Uplifter is not a good album, but reviewer you don't know much about what you're talking about. First of all, Golden Sunlight a pop-punk tune? I don't know where you're getting that. Second, you were going to copy and paste a review for the 1995 self-titled album huh? Oh you mean album that doesn't sound a thing remotely like uplifter? You mean that album where every song is based on single-note guitar riffs, funk, and rap in just about every track on the album, where there is nothing but generic rock and one song with rapping on this one? You're talking out of your ass and trying to conceal it with this " a music reviewer hates reviewing garbage" crap.
July 25th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
you're just not listening right bud. good vibes and stay positive.