Don't Tread On Me by 311 - DeepRiffs

ALBUM

Over 311's decade-plus span they've fused reggae to crunchy rock chords, helped pioneer rap-rock, and made the occasional foray into jam band territory. They grew increasingly curious as songwriters on later efforts like Transistor and From Chaos, and made a veteran record with 2003's Evolver, which incorporated all the elements of their sound for a flawless, if just reliably good (not great) album. Released in 2005, Don't Tread on Me could be Evolver, Pt. 2. It has a few high points and very, very few lows, but ends up leveling off somewhere in the middle. It's 311 in sepia tone. "Speak Easy" returns S.A. Martinez to his rap persona over a viscous throwback groove; bombs, botox, and the culture of fear and complacency are some of the subjects drawing the activist ire of Martinez and Nick Hexum. "Frolic Room" is a tribute to the Hollywood Boulevard hangout, and appropriately has a great lyrical narrative and a combo of heavy chords and sunny Hexum/Martinez harmonies. The sinewy reggae punch 311's been perfecting for years rises again on "Waiting," while Martinez handles lead vocals impressively on "Getting Through to Her." In its "Life is not TV" mantra, the latter cut's also one of the numerous allusions on Tread to finding true reality around the corner or in yourself, instead of on the tube. Like that positive outlook, it's nearly impossible to dislike 311. You're never far away from an organic dub turn or heavy moment, and there's always a drum-tight, elastic rhythm snaking underneath the two-vocalist setup and trebly guitars. (Both the title track and "Thank Your Lucky Stars" are notable for this.) At the same time, arriving nearly two years after Evolver and with a greatest-hits album in the middle, Don't Tread on Me suggests 311 are playing it just a little safe. There are no missteps on the album, and the group's faithful will have plenty to rock with. But Don't Tread on Me still feels like one to grow on instead of one to remember. ~ Johnny Loftus

1. Don't Tread On Me

by 311

Performer: 311; Performer
Primary Artist: 311; Main Performer
Composer: Nick Hexum
Aaron Wills; Composer
Lyricist: D. Martinez
Nick Hexum; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Giff Tripp; Production
Engineer: Saint
David Kahne; Production
Mastering Engineer: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mixing Engineer: Saint; Production
Producer: 311
Saint; Production

2. Thank Your Lucky Stars

by 311

Performer: 311; Performer
Primary Artist: 311; Main Performer
Composer: C. Sexton
Nick Hexum; Composer
Lyricist: D. Martinez
Nick Hexum; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Giff Tripp; Production
Engineer: Saint
David Kahne; Production
Mastering Engineer: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mixing Engineer: Saint; Production
Producer: 311
Saint; Production

3. Frolic Room

by 311

Performer: 311; Performer
Primary Artist: 311; Main Performer
Composer: Nick Hexum; Composer
Lyricist: Nick Hexum
D. Martinez; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Giff Tripp; Production
Engineer: Saint
David Kahne; Production
Mastering Engineer: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mixing Engineer: Saint; Production
Producer: Saint
311; Production

4. Speak Easy

by 311

Performer: 311; Performer
Primary Artist: 311; Main Performer
Composer: C. Sexton; Composer
Lyricist: Nick Hexum
D. Martinez; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Giff Tripp; Production
Engineer: Saint
David Kahne; Production
Mastering Engineer: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mixing Engineer: Saint; Production
Producer: Saint
311; Production

5. Solar Flare

by 311

Performer: 311; Performer
Primary Artist: 311; Main Performer
Composer: Nick Hexum; Composer
Lyricist: Nick Hexum
D. Martinez; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Giff Tripp; Production
Engineer: Saint
David Kahne; Production
Mastering Engineer: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mixing Engineer: Saint; Production
Producer: Saint
311; Production

6. Waiting

by 311

Performer: 311; Performer
Primary Artist: 311; Main Performer
Composer: Nick Hexum; Composer
Lyricist: Nick Hexum
D. Martinez; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Giff Tripp; Production
Engineer: Saint
David Kahne; Production
Mastering Engineer: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mixing Engineer: Saint; Production
Producer: Saint
311; Production

7. Long For The Flowers

by 311

Performer: 311; Performer
Primary Artist: 311; Main Performer
Composer: Nick Hexum; Composer
Lyricist: Nick Hexum
D. Martinez; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Giff Tripp; Production
Engineer: Saint
David Kahne; Production
Mastering Engineer: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mixing Engineer: Saint; Production
Producer: Saint
311; Production

8. Getting Through To Her

by 311

Performer: 311; Performer
Primary Artist: 311; Main Performer
Composer: Giff Tripp
D. Martinez; Composer
Lyricist: D. Martinez; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Giff Tripp; Production
Engineer: Saint
David Kahne; Production
Mastering Engineer: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mixing Engineer: Saint; Production
Producer: Saint
311; Production

9. Whiskey And Wine

by 311

Performer: 311; Performer
Primary Artist: 311; Main Performer
Composer: D. Martinez
Nick Hexum; Composer
Lyricist: D. Martinez
Nick Hexum; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Giff Tripp; Production
Engineer: Saint
David Kahne; Production
Mastering Engineer: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mixing Engineer: Saint; Production
Producer: 311
Saint; Production

10. It's Getting OK Now

by 311

Performer: 311; Performer
Primary Artist: 311; Main Performer
Composer: Tim Mahoney; Composer
Lyricist: D. Martinez; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Giff Tripp; Production
Engineer: David Kahne
Saint; Production
Mastering Engineer: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mixing Engineer: Saint; Production
Producer: 311
Saint; Production

11. There's Always An Excuse

by 311

Performer: 311; Performer
Primary Artist: 311; Main Performer
Composer: Nick Hexum
Aaron Wills; Composer
Lyricist: D. Martinez
Nick Hexum; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Giff Tripp; Production
Engineer: Saint
David Kahne; Production
Mastering Engineer: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mixing Engineer: Saint; Production
Producer: 311
Saint; Production

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

11 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

37 minutes and 27 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 3600x3600 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

All tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

All tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Pop/Rock, Hard Rock, Adult Alternative, Funk Metal, Contemporary Hard Rock

Label

Volcano

Music Distribution Service

Sony

Country

United States

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Aug 15, 2005

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

828766952223