Soundsystem [Clean] (1999)

About this title: 311 have been called a lot of things -- primarily some variation of either funk metal, rap-metal, or ska-metal -- but they don't fit neatly into any of these particular subgenres. They borrow from all three styles, plus reggae and new wave, creating their own skatepunk sound that vaguely recalls such contemporaries as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beastie Boys, No Doubt, and Sublime, but never quite sounds exactly like them. Part of that is due to the vocal interplay of singer Nick Hexum and rapper S.A.; their interchanges are unique among skatepunk. 311 also have different ambitions -- ever since ... read more

Tracks:

1. Freeze Time [Hexum/Martinez]
2. Come Original [Hexum/Martinez/Will]
3. Large in the Margin [Sexton/Hexum]
4. Flowing [Hexum/Martinez]
5. Can't Fade Me [Hexum]
6. Life's Not a Race [Hexum/Martinez/Maho]
7. Strong All Along [Hexum/Martinez]
8. Sever [Hexum/Martinez/Will]
9. Eons [Hexum/Sexton]
10. Evolution [Hexum/Martinez/Sext]
11. Leaving Babylon [Miller/Jenifer/Huds]
12. Mind Spin [Hexum/Martinez/Sext]
13. Livin' & Rockin' [Hexum/Martinez/Maho]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.