| Soundsystem | 
 enlarge | Artist: 311
Label: Volcano
Category: Music
List Price: $13.98
Buy New: $7.88
You Save: $6.10 (44%)
New (22) Used (13) from $3.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  259 reviews
Sales Rank: 19166
Format: Explicit Lyrics, Original Recording Reissued
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.5 x 4.9 x 0.3
MPN: 36645
UPC: 614223664521
EAN: 0614223664521
ASIN: B00005ABI1
Release Date: October 12, 1999
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | Freeze Time | | • | Come Original | | • | Large in the Margin | | • | Flowing | | • | Can't Fade Me | | • | Life's Not a Race | | • | Strong All Along | | • | Sever | | • | Eons | | • | Evolution | | • | Leaving Babylon | | • | Mindspin | | • | Livin' & Rockin' |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
When "Down" shot up the singles charts in 1996, it was the culmination of eight years of hard work for Nebraska-bred, Los Angeles-based 311. Soundsystem ups the ante on the quintet's good-time, never-forced amalgam of hip-hop, rock, funk, and reggae. "Come Original" features Nick Hexum's identifiable talk-singing style, and the tune's lilting dancehall and reggae overtones make it perfect for convertible cruising. From the odd but compelling rhythms in "Freeze Time," to the Santana-influenced stylings and Tim Mahoney's intricate guitar work in "Life's Not a Race," to the almost metallic riffing of "Evolution," 311 have constructed a diverse yet cohesive collection. The band's crisp, edgy sound, well showcased by producer Hugh Padgam (XTC, the Police), is especially winning on the irresistible and rollicking "Mindspin" and the aggro closing cut, "Livin' & Rockin'." It's a good bet that this Soundsystem will find its way onto the sound systems of fans old and new. --Katherine Turman
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| Customer Reviews: Read 254 more reviews...
 How the hell do they do it? March 13, 2000
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
When I first bought this album I wasn't really expecting it to be great. After hearing "Freeze Time" I was amazed at how much I liked it. Despite liking the first song I got the impression that the CD sounded stale and lacked creativity. The more you listen to this CD though the more you realize how completely wrong that is. This CD has got so many positive elements to it I don't know where to start. It grows and grows and grows on you. 311 is purely about music and their efforts definitely pay off. READ the lyrics. There are some things in there that have made me a stronger person. They truly do amaze me. Seeing them in concert just reinforces how much energy they put into their music. They're completely unique and seem like they will NEVER stop making mind blowing music. I guess when you add talent and hard work together you get 311. Nick and SA are the perfect combination and the other three are truly great musicians. Great job and keep doin what you're doin.
What hasn't been said? December 26, 1999
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
When I first heard of 311, it was when I saw their video for "Down." My initial reaciton was not positive since at the time I was so out of sorts with the current music scene that I just didn't understand this weird blend of rock and hip-hop. Then I heard "Mixed Up." Same reaction, though I did like the lounge feel of that song. Then I went to college a few years later. Met a guy who was a BIGtime 311 fan (his password was always 311, he always looked on clocks and room numbers and anything that had a number for 311...can we say obssessed?). After about a month, Soundsystem came out, and I heard "Come Original" on my way to HFStival with some friends. By this time, I was so against hip-hop and this trend of bands like Kid Rock and Limp Bizkit (who both suck) blending it with metal rock, but "Come Original" surprised me. I actually LIKED it. Then I heard "Flowing" and later "Freezetime." I couldn't believe what I was hearing: an actually good blend of rock, blues (a la Santana-style solos...Tim Mahoney's playing, like his PRS guitar, does justice to Santana's very hard-to-duplicate sound), funk, jazz, and hip-hop that I found very listenable and enjoyable. This is the album that got me into 311, and now they are one of my favorite bands. This is a band that brings dignity back to a music scene that has been flushed down the toilet by boybands and Kid Rock/Limp Bizkit/Korn freaks. They're not "entirely" original, but they keep trying, and it shows because they do a good job of continuing to improve the quality of their music. I love this CD, and 311 are a band for the history books.
FABULOUS CD! December 3, 1999
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
I "borrowed" my little brother's Discman a week ago, and Soundsystem was the cd inside it. After having listened to it about a thousand times, I must admit that I'll return the discman, but I'm keeping the cd! This is such a great album, every song is distinct, catchy, well-made, polished, fun, and at times a little bizarre and odd. I love it! There are complaints that the songs are dull or unoriginal or all sound the same. All I can say is, these songs flow together, but they certainly don't sound the same, and as for that, don't most bands have a running theme? Can you see Nine Inch Nails doing a bubbly pop song? Can you see Britney Spears (ugh) doing something sombre, slow, dark, and meaningful? Bands and musicians play what they love to play, and 311 definitely has fun playing what they play. They have a definite style, and as each cd comes along I see all kinds of different themes and styles. All in all, this cd rocks, and 311's sound is totally unique!
sensitive, deep, ingenious, amazing, powerful.....ORIGINAL! November 17, 1999
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
3 years ago a friend of mine got me interested in 311 by making me a mixed tape of about two to three songs...i believe "All Mixed Up," and "Down," were of the few. I was amazed. The sound was so unique. Although I loved the music, right away I didn't get around to buying the album. When the "Come Original" video went on TV I was like, "that's it I'm buying Soundsystem." And I did, I was not let down in the least. I LOVE every song on the album except "Leaving Babylon." All of these songs mean so much to me. I listen to them FULL BLAST in my discman. "Large In The Margin," is an incredibly beautiful song. The beginning starts with Nick singing slowly, then SA takes over with a rap, then there are a series of beats that separate Nick and SA's verses from the EXTREMELY powerful chorus. In the last line of the chorus it makes me want to cry when they say, "There's no reason to fear it, it's you, you." They say these lines with so much passion. "Strong All Along" is very inspirational, and it has a catchy reggae beat that takes me back to summer on the beach. "Come Original" just rocks! It's alittle apparent that 311 is referring to all those boy bands in this song...but it's about time they all come original! Rock on 311, the more competitive, the better! "Sever," and "Life's Not a Race," are very relaxing songs. I believe "Freeze Time," and "Can't Fade Me," go in the same category. The beginning of the song "Flowing" reminds me of laying under the stars. "Mindspin" is a great party song. "Eons," and "Livin & Rockin'" have great beats that u can groove to. I love the part in "Eons" where there is all that pondering going on and the guitar is blazing in the background. THANX 311 FOR GIVING ALL OF YOUR FANS A CD THEY LOVE TO LISTEN TO. I am buying ALL of your previous albums when I go shopping next. BE INFORMED this cd means more to me than you will ever know. THANKS!~Heather P.S. Will someone email me and tell me why this album is classified under EXPLICIT LYRICS? I scanned through the lyrics, and I didn't find anything.
MOST UNDERATED BAND! March 21, 2000
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I think 311 has to be one of the greatest bands that is overlooked. You dont see them on MTV like Korn or Limp Bizkit becasue they are not about selling out to the hip, Pop, boy band era. Much respect to the band that always stays true to their fans.
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