Give 311 points for sticking around. Since 1992 — a millennium in band-years — the Omaha, Nebraska quintet has been churning out fratty dude-rock, offering the same hopped-up ska-rock rhythms, the same sloppy funk bass, the same, um, "turntablism," in the service of an unwavering message: We rule, let's party. On album number (gulp) 10, 311 are still really freaking psyched to be 311. "Let me introduce you to/The excitable crew/This is just how we do," bellows lead singer Nick Hexum in "Time Bomb." The song titles tell the story, here ("Rock On," "Wild Nights," etc.); the reggae-rock beats and power chords are blunt, dimwitted, completely formulaic. The only surprise, after all these years, is the band's undimmed enthusiasm. "Innovation ruling the nation!" sings Hexum, ever hopeful.
Listen to "Time Bomb":
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