SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: 311 – FULL BLOOM

311
FULL BLOOM
BIG PICTURE MEDIA

Bands like 311 have always had an apt sense of creating experiences that successfully blend aggressive rock textures with the bright, psychedelic nature of reggae and funk, underscored with afternotes of clever hip-hop versatility that have always put this band at the top of their game over the years. Having been a band for nearly 34 years, bands like 311 have never just gotten by resting on their laurels. Since their first release, Dammit, dropped in 1990, no one would have guessed that a band that didn’t chart with their first two albums would become one of the best rock outfits to be one of the most successful building blocks in pushing the envelope in rock music. 2019’s Voyager would continue to solidify the band’s gorgeous use of sunset-soaked atmospheric brilliance, cloaked in the emotionally turbulent tides of razor-edged guitar riffs, punchy percussive energies, and super-charged, evocative vocals. 311 showed a different side of the incredibly gifted yet criminally underappreciated band. They demonstrated that they could expand their already extensive musical palette, leaving many to wonder if they would return to write another record. It’s been five years since the release of Voyager, and the colorful band is back with their new album, Full Bloom. From the album cover alongside its title, Full Bloom resonates perfectly for the legendary rock icons who have invested considerable time and effort throughout their careers to cultivate and express their distinctive sound. Each element of the cover art reflects the essence of their musical journey, embodying the creativity and innovation that these artists are known for.

Hinting at the depth of their experiences of hardship and triumph through their smart and poignant lyrics, 311 lets listeners delve into their journey and the unique qualities that they have consistently brought to their craft, serving as a rich tapestry of sound and imagery that serves as another successful release that showcases their commitment to pushing the boundaries of rock music while still keeping things fun and fresh.

From the beginning experiences of “You’re Gonna Get It” and “Need Somebody”, 311 details a new darker, wispy, and gritty feel to their instrumentalism. Paired beautifully with chilling vocal play, undercut by the aggro of their trademark hip-hop influences, both experiences are great openers that the act hasn’t lost a step in their 30+ year career run.

“Full Bloom” is a love-letter experience that many fans will appreciate, as it digs deep into the reggae rock roots that have made them stand out among the crowd of other bands from their era, creating the perfect segue for other standout moments on the record, “Mountaintop” and “New Heights”. With their catchy wordplay and inventive vocal inflections, “Mountaintop” demonstrates the band’s creative potential to create audio earworms of lively guitar strings and upbeat lyrics that will stick in listeners’ minds for a long time.

Other infectious junctures, such as “Persimmon” and “All You’ve Seen”, are the starlit attractions of this album, beautifully articulating the band’s more denuded nature while still finding a way to play with the hard and smooth peaks and valleys of their sound. Very few bands can effortlessly tap into that nostalgic nature of their sound the way 311 does, and they have found a way to do this throughout the record while still showing subtle modernity and genuine growth within their soundscapes.

Full Bloom ends with the final track, “Braver”. A perfect lasting impression that combines the bands’ eclectic use of rock and hip-hop, “Braver” feels very much like a tribute to what they have built over the years while paving the way for a new, more gravid take to their old sound, ending one of the best records the band, attaining a satisfying conclusion to an enjoyable new experience for the band.

Full Bloom is an impressive, diverse, and fun flex by the long-standing rock band. From start to finish, every track feels like the band did their homework on committing to a sound that does not leave old fans behind, yet, without a hitch, delivers an immersive and novel experience for new fans to find and appreciate. If this is a taste of what five years away from the scene can do for these seasoned veterans, one hopes that there is not too long of a wait for another release from the iconic outfit.

Artist Links