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Transistor | 
| Artist: 311
Label: Capricorn Records
Category: Music
List Price: $17.98
Buy Used: $2.49
You Save: $15.49 (86%)
New (6) Used (38) Collectible (2) from $2.49
Rating:  154 reviews
Sales Rank: 53121
Format: Explicit Lyrics
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
UPC: 731453618121
EAN: 0731453618121
ASIN: B000003CMZ
Release Date: August 5, 1997
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | Transistor | | • | Prisoner | | • | Galaxy | | • | Beautiful Disaster | | • | Inner Light Spectrum | | • | Electricity | | • | What Was I Thinking | | • | Jupiter | | • | Use of Time | | • | Continuous Life | | • | No Control | | • | Running | | • | Color | | • | Light Years | | • | Creature Feature | | • | Tune In | | • | Rub a Dub | | • | Starshines | | • | Strangers | | • | Borders | | • | Stealing Happy Hours |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
With Sublime and Sugar Ray having made whitewashed reggae a hot commodity on the pop charts, it makes sense that the prime movers of the genre are making a headlong comeback into the fray. With Transistor, 311 goes for the jugular, cramming the disc with over 20 songs, and just as many angles on its melange of rock, hip-hop and Caribbean musical styles. There are hyper rap-metal rehashes of the hit "Down" ("Tune In," "Starshines," and "Borders"), chunky guitar tracks ("Beautiful Disaster"), and lots of frivolous reggae-lite songs ("Light Years," "Stealing Happy Hours"). --Aidin Vaziri
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| Customer Reviews: Read 149 more reviews...
 Still their best... August 2, 2003
Joseph H. Dorne (Gainesville, FL USA)
12 out of 12 found this review helpful
I don't understand the so-called "fans" who bash this album for not sounding like old-school 311. This is undeniably 311's most eclectic and experimental album to date, and understandably so; the band was simply at a point in their career where making the same record twice was not an option anymore. Every song on here is amazing, except maybe for "Rub a Dub". Haven't quite figured that one out yet; it's just not 311 at all. This is a long album with only a handful of roof-raising hard rock songs, focusing more on expanding the band's sound into larger territory with songs like "Inner Light Spectrum" and "Stealing Happy Hours". The lyrics here are top notch, not falling into the cheesy territory of the "From Chaos" record. The songs often do not follow traditional song structures, throwing in some interesting time signature changes and rhythmic transitons such as the reggae jam at the end of the title track. Mahoney's guitar work is amazing on this record, focusing less on metal-influenced chords and more on jazz, blues, and reggae soloing. The first thing the 311 listener will notice upon first listen is the greatly reduced usage of rapping. Don't get me wrong; 311 is always good at rapping lyrics, but it's nice to hear two extremely gifted singers finally showcasing their deeper talents. Many people criticize the record for not being like the self-titled "blue" album, but there's one thing you must remember: the self-titled album, while being the band's first big hit album, was in fact their 3rd major label album. They had been doing this act for some time, and it was about time they dared and challenged their listeners to enter new territory with them while still remaining true to their roots. This album may not have all the headbanging party songs from earlier records, but the songwriting is undeniably their best ever. So don't listen to naysayers. 311 has yet to match this album's artistic integrity and genius. Interesting how bands' most creative and interesting albums are often discarded and forgotten by folks these days because they lack the old reliable sound of the band. Other sad examples of this are Nine Inch Nails' "The Fragile", Led Zeppelin's "Presence", and Pearl Jam's amazing "No Code". Listen with an open ear, folks. This record may take a little time to grow on you, but once it does, you'll be glad it did.
Underrated and Misunderstood July 22, 2003
Joe (Rockford, Il)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
I know that Aidin Vaziri may be some big shot freelance music reviewer, but everything I've read by Aidin sounds as if he doesn't know much about music at all. Don't get me wrong, he points out how much he knows about different musical groups, but never does he talk about the quality going into those groups. His review on Transistor is ridiculous. This is (in my opinion) one of the most underrated albums of all time, right there with anything by Silverchair. According to Aidin, this album was a bad attempt to follow suit with the reggae movement. Wow. They weren't trying to be something they aren't, maybe Aidin should listen to all of 311's albums. They've always shown their influence in reggae. Absolute masterpiece. If you've heard it before and disliked it, HEAR it again.
A beautiful departure from the ordinary February 3, 2005
John H. Wiemers (wiesbaden, germany)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
This record is bliss. I find the beats and rhythms stellar, while the songs transport me to different places with their psychedelic appeal, voyaging into new territory almost on each track. This album was way ahead of its time when it came out in 1997. 311 found their artistic niche with Transistor, and they went against a lot of expectations by the mainstream audience and disapproving media who wanted another "blue album" (a nice record itself, but not as artistic or musical as this one). I believe such criticism must be taken lightly when judging this art form, for we all have our own subjective tastes and separate definitions of what "good music" must sound like. You sort of have to feel it out for yourself and see if Transistor rubs you the right or wrong way. For too many others, they wanted the same thing that came before, dismissing this album.
To me Transistor feels like the future of music, combining many styles and infusing skilled instrumental play with ambient progressions of vocals, melodies, and song ideas. Transistor rocks, but it has so much more to offer than any casual fan will be ready for.
If 311 ever decide to follow such an abstract direction again, then they will truly shatter the limitations that musical mediators try and use to weigh down recording artists that have made it big. There is a notion to be easily digestible and not overstep any creative bounds beyond simplicity. Fortunately for us, there exists 311.
I don't believe there's anything wrong with going against the norm (sometimes it's needed badly), and 311 displayed this by writing what they wanted. I give a lot of respect to them for pushing the envelope and having this much ambition at a time when they were enjoying much success.
This album is amazing. It's probably best to listen to in an atmosphere that is conducive to feelings of comfort and peace, humming along with headphones on. But, to each his own. So enjoy!
I cannot wait to hear what's in store next.
The Most Complete 311 Album To Date July 26, 2006
Andrew Barnes (Omaha, NE United States)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Most 311 albums have stand-out tracks but lack flow and consistancy, like MUSIC and 311. Some flow together perfectly but don't have many standout tracks, like GRASSROOTS and FROM CHAOS. I like all of the 311 albums for different reasons, but this one has risen to the top for many reasons...
1. With an album that was considered their first major-hyped release, they made the album they wanted to make. They stuck to their guns and the album was a success because of that.
2. It all flows well together. The songs fall together like a puzzle.
3. It has many, many songs...but almost all of them stand on their own as good tracks. "Prisoner", "Jupiter", "No Control", "Rub a Dub", etc. They are all different sounding songs, but on this album, this fit in and stand tall.
4. This album contains three of the most beloved songs in the history of 311: "Beautiful Disaster", "Use of Time", and "Stealing Happy Hours".
As stated earlier, this is probably not the best place for a new fan of 311 to start. Since I'm not a fan of Hits Collections, the place to start is either 311 or FROM CHAOS...but once you're in, this album will more than likely be in your CD player the most amount of time.
Fresh, smooth, a very distinct 311 album March 21, 2004
Matt Massuch (New Hudson, MI United States)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I've got a problem with most music critics. People keep saying 311 are just remaking their music over and over through their 15+ years. But when you mix their musical talents and they're own genre-breaking formula of hip-hop vocal work with the unique stylings of Nick and SA's, smooth guitar work by Tim (This album proves it), bass like only P-Nut can, and flawless drum work by Chad, 311 does own this genre of music. They built it ever since their Omaha days, and they continue to expound on it, no matter how much you think they keep redoing songs. Every album has it's own flavor, EVERY album. If you try to deny it, you're simply lying to yourself.Now onto the album review. Transistor is by far the most experimental 311 disc that has been done. 21 tracks clocking over an hour. Rocking from the title track (Personally one of my favorite 311 songs), 311 still proves they can shake you up and get you movin. Switching back and forth, their songs move between their own potent rockin that kinda relates back to the latter tracks on the s/t CD, and the spaced out, deeply reverberated and lightened songs that drop one back into the 8:16 A.M. style of song but with a stronger beat and better production. One reviewer said "Rub a Dub" was the worst 311 song ever. Is that why they played the song on their Summer 2003 tour at 7 shows? 311 writes songs they enjoy playing, not because they will sell. The songs seamlessly flow together, and perhaps that's why people are not appreciative of it. Few of these songs could be on the radio, no doubt, but aren't most fans more appreciative of those tracks. I've been listening to 311 for about 9 months, I've got them all minus the early Omaha sessions. Rating the 7 CD's: 1.Transistor
2.Grassroots
3.Soundsystem
4.311
5.Evolver
6.Music
7.From Chaos I honestly have not found any 311 song I do not like. I mixed down 128 of 311's studio songs onto one MP3 CD. Hit the random button and you're going for quite a ride. No one should even begin to doubt that 311 are musical innovators and true to their art. Transistor is proof that the band can dabble in different musical styles and still sound uniquely 311. This is a great album, and while I don't believe it should be the first 311 album a newly introduced fan should pick up, (This is a Music or Evolver job), this needs to be bought. "CAN'T NOBODY DO IT LIKE THREE E-LE-VEN!"
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