Transistor is the fourth studio album by American rock band 311, released on August 5, 1997, by Capricorn Records. The album saw a change in musical style as fewer songs feature rapping in comparison to the band's previous albums. Intended as a double album, 311 opted to release the album on a single CD in order to make it more affordable to their fans.
| Transistor | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | August 5, 1997 | |||
| Recorded | February–April 1997 | |||
| Studio | NRG (Los Angeles) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 66:11 | |||
| Label | Capricorn | |||
| Producer |
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| 311 chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Transistor | ||||
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Upon its release, Transistor received largely mixed reviews from critics, who felt it was overlong and self-indulgent. Retrospectively, however, the album has been more positively received, and was certified platinum by the RIAA.
Music
editClocking in at 67:59 and with twenty-one tracks (or twenty-three, counting both hidden tracks), Transistor is 311's longest album and, until their 2017 album Mosaic, was their only album to contain more than sixteen tracks. Transistor was originally intended to be a double album, but all songs were instead placed onto one disc.[2] In a 1997 interview with Billboard, drummer Chad Sexton said that the band had recorded 29 songs for the album, but decided to cut the album's songs down to 21 to fit on a single CD instead of two (the vinyl release still featured two LPs) in order to make the release affordable to their fans.[3] As 311 were only contracted for 11 songs, meaning they would not be paid for including any more songs, the band effectively gave away 10 of the album's songs for free.[3] Nick Hexum admitted that doing too many songs in not enough time for Transistor was a mistake.[4]
While still utilizing their alternative rock sound in many songs, Transistor saw 311 moving away from their hip hop-influenced sound of their previous albums[5] for more of a reggae-influenced sound,[6] as shown in songs such as "Prisoner", "Inner Light Spectrum", "Running", "Rub a Dub", and "Stealing Happy Hours". Although, their rap rock style is still present in some songs, such as "Galaxy", "No Control", "Tune In", "Starshines", and "Borders". Transistor also contains elements of dub,[7] space rock and stoner rock.[5]
Reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [7] |
| The A.V. Club | Unfavorable[1] |
| Entertainment Weekly | F[8] |
| Los Angeles Times | [9] |
| The Philadelphia Inquirer | [10] |
| Rolling Stone | [6] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [11] |
| Spin | 2/10[12] |
| USA Today | [13] |
| Wall of Sound | 64/100[14] |
Transistor received a mixed review from Allmusic, who commented that "a project of this magnitude is almost doomed to fall on its face, and Transistor nearly does," and noted there were enough good songs for a 30 to 40 minute album, but had too much filler. They nominated the title track as the only Track Pick from the album.[7] The album has received criticism from The A.V. Club, who says "With 21 songs spread out over 68 minutes, the record has taken plenty of critical punishment for its excessive length alone," and calls it a "joyless, tedious exercise in white-boy reggae, white-boy rap, white-boy dub and white-boy rock," concluding that the band could suffer a "Spin Doctors-style career combustion" in the future.[1] Entertainment Weekly also panned the album, stating that it features "some of the weakest rhymes and derivative white-bread dub in recent memory" and concluded that the band did not know "the thin line between experimentation and self-indulgence".[8] Rolling Stone criticized the album, saying it was "trying too hard to expand their sonic horizons", and commented how they seem to unwillingly change their musical style.[6]
Retrospective reviews
editIn contrast, the album was retrospectively received positively by Consequence of Sound, comparing it to The Beatles' album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Commenting that "the singles aren't what make Transistor great. It's the deep cuts that you play over and over again, trying to catch the meaning", they conclude that the album is "one of a kind".[5] Over time, Transistor has developed a cult following and become a fan favorite, eventually leading to the band performing the album in its entirety on August 6, 2011, in front of over 10,000 fans. This was done at their very own Pow Wow Festival, created to commemorate the 14th anniversary of the album.[15] In 2017, the Willamette Week ranked Transistor as 311's greatest album.[16]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0. | "Transistor Intro" (Hidden track that can be accessed by rewinding from the index of the first track by 1:36) | Nick Hexum, Chad Sexton | Instrumental | 1:36 |
| 1. | "Transistor" | Hexum, SA Martinez, Sexton | Nick Hexum | 3:01 |
| 2. | "Prisoner" | Hexum, Martinez | Hexum with SA Martinez | 2:50 |
| 3. | "Galaxy" | Martinez, Sexton | Martinez | 2:50 |
| 4. | "Beautiful Disaster" | Hexum | Hexum | 3:58 |
| 5. | "Inner Light Spectrum" | Martinez, Sexton | Martinez | 3:40 |
| 6. | "Electricity" | Hexum | Hexum | 2:32 |
| 7. | "What Was I Thinking" | Hexum | Hexum | 2:37 |
| 8. | "Jupiter" | Hexum, Martinez, Sexton | Hexum with Martinez | 2:43 |
| 9. | "Use of Time" | Hexum | Hexum | 4:24 |
| 10. | "The Continuous Life" | Martinez, Sexton | Martinez | 3:29 |
| 11. | "No Control" | Hexum, Martinez | Hexum with Martinez | 3:08 |
| 12. | "Running" | Tim Mahoney, Martinez | Martinez | 3:43 |
| 13. | "Color" | Sexton | Instrumental | 1:54 |
| 14. | "Light Years" | Hexum | Hexum | 2:26 |
| 15. | "Creature Feature" | Martinez, Aaron Wills | Martinez | 2:36 |
| 16. | "Tune In" | Martinez, Sexton | Martinez | 2:16 |
| 17. | "Rub a Dub" | Hexum | Hexum | 2:40 |
| 18. | "Starshines" | Hexum, Martinez, Sexton | Hexum with Martinez | 2:36 |
| 19. | "Strangers" | Hexum | Hexum | 2:40 |
| 20. | "Borders" | Martinez, Sexton | Martinez with Hexum | 2:42 |
| 21. | "Stealing Happy Hours" (contains hidden track "Enter Space") | Hexum | "Stealing Happy Hours": Hexum; "Enter Space": Instrumental | 5:50 |
| Total length: | 66:11 | |||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22. | "Gap" | Hexum, Martinez | Martinez with Hexum | 2:10 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25. | "Grifter (The music of this song turned into "Long For The Flowers" on the album "Don't Tread On Me" released in 2005, the original demo version leaked during the DTOM sessions)" | Hexum, Martinez | Hexum with Martinez | 2:53 |
| 26. | "Writer's Block Party" | Hexum, Martinez, Sexton, Wills | Hexum with Martinez | 2:54 |
| 27. | "Earth People" | Martinez, Sexton | Martinez | 2:20 |
| 28. | "The Quickening" | Martinez | Martinez | 2:23 |
| 29. | "Everything" | Martinez, Sexton | Martinez | 1:46 |
| 30. | "Old Funk" | Hexum | Instrumental | 2:39 |
| 31. | "Space Funk" | Hexum | Instrumental | 2:35 |
| 32. | "Lemming" | Hexum, Sexton | Hexum | 4:06 |
| 33. | "(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais" (The Clash cover; appears on Burning London: The Clash Tribute) | 3:52 |
Personnel
editCredits adapted from album's liner notes.[17]
- 311
- Nick Hexum – vocals (lead vocals on tracks 1, 2, 4, 6–9, 11, 14, 17–21, "Gap", "Grifter", "Writer's Block Party","Lemming"), rhythm guitar, programming
- SA Martinez – vocals (lead vocals on tracks 2, 3, 5, 8, 10–12, 15, 16, 18, 20, "Gap", "Grifter", "Everything", "The Quickening", "Writer's Block Party", "Earth People"), scratches
- Chad Sexton – drums, percussion, programming
- Tim Mahoney – lead guitar
- Aaron Wills – bass
- Additional musicians
- Eric "Bobo" Correa – percussion (on tracks 12, 19, 21)
- Production
- 311 – producer
- Scotch Ralston – producer, engineer, mixing
- John Ewing Jr. – assistant engineer
- Wade Norton – technical support
- Joe Gastwirt – mastering
Charts
editAlbum
edit| Chart | Peak position | |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 | 4[18] |
Singles
edit| Song | Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|---|
| "Transistor" | U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks | 14[18] |
| "Transistor" | U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks | 31[19] |
| "Beautiful Disaster" | U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks | 21[20] |
| "Prisoner" | U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks | 21[21] |
References
edit- ^ a b c Thompson, Stephen (March 29, 2002). "311: Transistor | Music | Music Review". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on August 18, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
- ^ Contributed by Nathan Manley. "What is the 411 on 311? | The Eagle Online". Eagle.ceu.edu. Archived from the original on July 11, 2012. Retrieved June 1, 2012.
- ^ a b Borzillo, Carrie (July 5, 1997). "311 Considers Its Fans No. 1". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 27. pp. 11–12. Archived from the original on March 18, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
- ^ "Q&A". 311.com. Archived from the original on April 21, 2014. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
- ^ a b c "Dusting 'Em Off: 311 – Transistor « Consequence of Sound". Consequence.net. January 8, 2011. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
- ^ a b c "311: Transistor : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone (Unfinished review)". Rolling Stone. July 24, 1997. Archived from the original on May 15, 2009. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
- ^ a b c Thomas Erlewine, Stephen (n.d.). "Transistor - 311". AllMusic. Archived from the original on April 25, 2011. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
- ^ a b Grad, David (August 8, 1997). "Music Review: Transistor". Entertainment Weekly. p. 79. Archived from the original on April 21, 2009. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
- ^ Masuo, Sandy (August 8, 1997). "Album Reviews: 311 Repeats Strengths, Weaknesses". Los Angeles Times. p. F14. ProQuest 421158530.
- ^ Moon, Tom (August 10, 1997). "New Recordings". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. F10.
- ^ Cross, Charles R. (2004). "311". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. pp. 813. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
- ^ Dark, Jane (October 1997). "Reviews". Spin. Vol. 13, no. 7. p. 138. Archived from the original on March 18, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
- ^ Gundersen, Edna (August 19, 1997). "311 needs 911; Whiskeytown has kick". USA Today. p. 07D. ProQuest 408714267.
- ^ Graff, Gary. "Wall of Sound Review: Transistor". Wall of Sound. Archived from the original on February 11, 2001. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ Dean, Bill. "Reggae-rock band 311 hosts three-day music festival". Ocala StarBanner. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ Singer, Matthew; Cottell, Pete (March 7, 2017). "The Definitive Ranking of Every 311 Album". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on March 18, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
- ^ Transistor (booklet). Capricorn Records . 1997.
- ^ a b Billboard. "Transistor - 311". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on November 21, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
- ^ "311". AllMusic. Archived from the original on August 4, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
- ^ Billboard. "Beautiful Disaster - 311". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on November 21, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
- ^ Billboard. "Prisoner - 311". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on November 21, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2013.