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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (July 31, 1997)
Wheel'll 6 Deal'll Bike Shop “New Location” 4001 RANDOLPH 438-1477/484-5111 i ; i ^REFILLS ON OVER 60 ITEMS r5^ F] ^§^474-4244 T FROM 5 OF OUR MOST GlLMSOMME POPULAR PRODUCT LINES U U ©QIMLlir tlTH A. M / INSIDE COLLEGE OF HAIR DESIGN FOR JVtEN:l I ■Save 35% on Refills j $2 OFF I with Coupon Expires i/is/98 i Any Purchase ■ Bring In Your Bottle For Refills of Selected /CMS, | QVCf $10 * Paul Mitchell, BioSilk, Senscience, Anasazi, Rusk j I &. Redken Products. 'Off the price of a new bottle \ Expires 1/15/98 1 Tues &. Thurs: 9am - 7pm Wed *. Fri: 9am - 5pm I (DOCS not apply to refills and I Sa:: 7 30am - 3pm Mon. Relail/Refill/Tanning Only > already discounted products.) Attention August Graduates Measurements for Cap and Gown Rental are Monday and Tuesday August 4th & 5th University Bookstore Lower Level NE Union pH I •/ Abortion services i/ Diagnosis/ treatment of sexually transmitted diseases •/ Free pregnancy testing & all options information Diagnosis/ treatment of urinary tract infections 1/ HIV testing or referral _ Y ! : .■ Courtesy Photo THE MEMBERS OF 311 are (clockwise from left) SA Martinez, Nick Hexum, Chad Sexton, Timothy Mahoney and P-Nut. 311 “Transistor” Capricorn/Mercury Grade: A “Am I really deserving?” The question is asked by lead singer and guitarist Nick Hexum of former Omaha band 311 during the track “No Control.” After struggling for seven years developing a grass roots following and recording what could be its best album yet, “Transistor,” the answer is a resound ing yes. The August 5 release, featuring 21 brand new tunes, has several groove-centered mixes that may seem a bit slow at first glance. However, 311 lets it rip on songs like “Beautiful Disaster,” “Borders” and “Starshines,” leaving even the true “Music” fans happy. transistor takes a good rive lis tens to fully indulge, and one can still pick up new things every time around. Like the cat’s meow echoing on “Light Years,” or a firecracker going off on “Stealing Happy Hours,” SATURDAYS $7.00 $.01 Busch It. & Well drinks a lot of dub sounds were added to this album, yet these noises don’t interfere with the formula that has given 311 its longevity. SA Martinez shows he is not just the band’s “rapper,” but sings a lot more on this album, harmonizing on songs likes “The Continuous Life,” “Inner Light Spectrum” and “Creature Feature.” But he still leads off the first hard-nosed song on the release with “Galaxy,” a track that would be a great way to start off any show. Hexum s talent level on guitar is obviously better than it was on the last album, as he plays on every song this time. Contributing most of the song writing for the band, he has done some of his best work. Unlike on past albums, it is also the first time he has n’t used lines from past songs, although he does shout, “Be positive and love your life,” a line used to close most 311 shows. Guitarist Tim Mahoney wrote some of the song “Running,” and delivers amazing lead guitar on every song, especially on the album’s best all-around song “Beautiful Disaster.” His guitar play is light years ahead of when he started with the band, and his best work is right here. Bassist P-Nut and drummer Chad Sexton provide the backbone for the band. Sexton’s drumming is as excel lent as ever, although he is given no solos on the songs. P-Nut goes off on “What’s Was I Thinking,” a hard edged track also featuring Hexum singing with Anthony Kiedis’ “Warped”-style distortion. The first track and single is “Transistor,” a track that covers all of the different sounds of 311, and is a great transition between the band’s last album and the current one. However, the song is not to be mistak en as a representation of the entire release, as no other song reflects its style. The second single is set to be “Prisoner,” a slow-tempo tune sung by both Hexum and Martinez. The video is set to be shot July 29, and is said to be the largest 311 video pro duction to date. There are plans for a special “Prisoner” maxi-single fea turing remixes and songs that didn’t make it onto the album. There will also be a special insert inside the packaging of “Transistor,” which is being kept a secret by Capricorn. But the surprise will only be included in the album’s first press ing. 3 11 will be in Council Bluffs, Iowa, at the Westfair Ampitheatre Sept. 21, when the band members will play with their longtime friends from Fishbone. They will also be in St. Louis Sept. 19 and at Sandstone Ampitheatre Sept. 20. Overall, this album is best not labeled as “Grassroots,” or “Dammit!” but more as just its own thing. However, it’s not some completely new sound for 311 that makes little sense. If anything, it is the band’s most complete album, feeding off of the sounds of previous albums and taking them further. And as on any of their other albums, the band is evolving, and the future is now. -- Pat Miner
