- Audio CD (8 Aug 1997)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: Import
- Label: Mercury
- ASIN: B000003CMZ
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Audio Cassette | Vinyl | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 90,362 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product details |
Track Listings
| 1. Transistor | |||
| 2. Prisoner | |||
| 3. Galaxy | |||
| 4. Beautiful Disaster | |||
| 5. Inner Light Spectrum | |||
| 6. Electricity | |||
| 7. What Was I Thinking | |||
| 8. Jupiter | |||
| 9. Use Of Time | |||
| 10. The Continuous Life | |||
| 11. No Control | |||
| 12. Running | |||
| 13. Color | |||
| 14. Light Years | |||
| 15. Creature Feature | |||
| 16. Tune In | |||
| 17. Rub A Dub | |||
| 18. Starshines | |||
| 19. Strangers | |||
| 20. Borders | |||
See all 21 tracks on this disc
| |||
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Audio CD
...in fact, possibly 311's best.
Apparently, when Transistor was released, it got a poor review upon release. I suppose that if you enjoyed the self-titled, and were expecting ball-park with Transistor, you may have been disappointed. It must have been the hardest album to write after such great success.
Now, I haven't been a convert to 311 for more than 2 years, so I missed all that. All I see is a great album. There's enough 'driving' songs to propel to album along, but most of it is an earnest meander into dub, bass and reggae. Normally, when a band releases an album that doesn't focus on rock like they used to, it means they're out of ideas, out of inspiration, that they've lost the rock, the focus and the energy.
That's simply not true here. Yes, they're more chilled in this album, but that doesn't mean they're any worse. 'Use of Time', 'The Continous Life' and 'Prisoner' are all standout songs in terms of chilling. The use of voice effects should be mentioned too, Hexum's voice in particular benefits from this, something many fans have expressed hope to see in future releases. SA Martinez has his spotlight here too, 'Galaxy' and 'The Continous Life' are both SA solos which sparkle.
'Galaxy' is one of my personal favourites. It's a song which speculates that the asteroid belt used to be a planet, blown apart by a society unable to cope with it, then draws parallels with our planet. The song 'Transistor' is an aggressive guitar song, one of the more rocky on the album with great vocal work. 'Prisoner' is a highly under-rated 311 song, with good trading sing song vocals between Hexum and SA.
Transistor is a fan's favourite. Look round any 311 discussion on the internet. It's only in recent years that it's being appreciated. The chill effects, the clever production, it's all great. The only downside is it's a little too long.
Apparently, when Transistor was released, it got a poor review upon release. I suppose that if you enjoyed the self-titled, and were expecting ball-park with Transistor, you may have been disappointed. It must have been the hardest album to write after such great success.
Now, I haven't been a convert to 311 for more than 2 years, so I missed all that. All I see is a great album. There's enough 'driving' songs to propel to album along, but most of it is an earnest meander into dub, bass and reggae. Normally, when a band releases an album that doesn't focus on rock like they used to, it means they're out of ideas, out of inspiration, that they've lost the rock, the focus and the energy.
That's simply not true here. Yes, they're more chilled in this album, but that doesn't mean they're any worse. 'Use of Time', 'The Continous Life' and 'Prisoner' are all standout songs in terms of chilling. The use of voice effects should be mentioned too, Hexum's voice in particular benefits from this, something many fans have expressed hope to see in future releases. SA Martinez has his spotlight here too, 'Galaxy' and 'The Continous Life' are both SA solos which sparkle.
'Galaxy' is one of my personal favourites. It's a song which speculates that the asteroid belt used to be a planet, blown apart by a society unable to cope with it, then draws parallels with our planet. The song 'Transistor' is an aggressive guitar song, one of the more rocky on the album with great vocal work. 'Prisoner' is a highly under-rated 311 song, with good trading sing song vocals between Hexum and SA.
Transistor is a fan's favourite. Look round any 311 discussion on the internet. It's only in recent years that it's being appreciated. The chill effects, the clever production, it's all great. The only downside is it's a little too long.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
150 reviews
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Still their best...
2 Aug 2003
Format:Audio CD
I don't understand the so-called "fans" who bash this album for not sounding like old-school 311. This is undeniably 311's most eclectic and experimental album to date, and understandably so; the band was simply at a point in their career where making the same record twice was not an option anymore. Every song on here is amazing, except maybe for "Rub a Dub". Haven't quite figured that one out yet; it's just not 311 at all. This is a long album with only a handful of roof-raising hard rock songs, focusing more on expanding the band's sound into larger territory with songs like "Inner Light Spectrum" and "Stealing Happy Hours". The lyrics here are top notch, not falling into the cheesy territory of the "From Chaos" record. The songs often do not follow traditional song structures, throwing in some interesting time signature changes and rhythmic transitons such as the reggae jam at the end of the title track. Mahoney's guitar work is amazing on this record, focusing less on metal-influenced chords and more on jazz, blues, and reggae soloing. The first thing the 311 listener will notice upon first listen is the greatly reduced usage of rapping. Don't get me wrong; 311 is always good at rapping lyrics, but it's nice to hear two extremely gifted singers finally showcasing their deeper talents. Many people criticize the record for not being like the self-titled "blue" album, but there's one thing you must remember: the self-titled album, while being the band's first big hit album, was in fact their 3rd major label album. They had been doing this act for some time, and it was about time they dared and challenged their listeners to enter new territory with them while still remaining true to their roots. This album may not have all the headbanging party songs from earlier records, but the songwriting is undeniably their best ever. So don't listen to naysayers. 311 has yet to match this album's artistic integrity and genius. Interesting how bands' most creative and interesting albums are often discarded and forgotten by folks these days because they lack the old reliable sound of the band. Other sad examples of this are Nine Inch Nails' "The Fragile", Led Zeppelin's "Presence", and Pearl Jam's amazing "No Code". Listen with an open ear, folks. This record may take a little time to grow on you, but once it does, you'll be glad it did.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Underrated and Misunderstood
22 July 2003
Format:Audio CD
I know that Aidin Vaziri may be some big shot freelance music reviewer, but everything I've read by Aidin sounds as if he doesn't know much about music at all. Don't get me wrong, he points out how much he knows about different musical groups, but never does he talk about the quality going into those groups. His review on Transistor is ridiculous. This is (in my opinion) one of the most underrated albums of all time, right there with anything by Silverchair. According to Aidin, this album was a bad attempt to follow suit with the reggae movement. Wow. They weren't trying to be something they aren't, maybe Aidin should listen to all of 311's albums. They've always shown their influence in reggae. Absolute masterpiece. If you've heard it before and disliked it, HEAR it again.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
A beautiful departure from the ordinary
3 Feb 2005
Format:Audio CD
This record is bliss. I find the beats and rhythms stellar, while the songs transport me to different places with their psychedelic appeal, voyaging into new territory almost on each track. This album was way ahead of its time when it came out in 1997. 311 found their artistic niche with Transistor, and they went against a lot of expectations by the mainstream audience and disapproving media who wanted another "blue album" (a nice record itself, but not as artistic or musical as this one). I believe such criticism must be taken lightly when judging this art form, for we all have our own subjective tastes and separate definitions of what "good music" must sound like. You sort of have to feel it out for yourself and see if Transistor rubs you the right or wrong way. For too many others, they wanted the same thing that came before, dismissing this album.
To me Transistor feels like the future of music, combining many styles and infusing skilled instrumental play with ambient progressions of vocals, melodies, and song ideas. Transistor rocks, but it has so much more to offer than any casual fan will be ready for.
If 311 ever decide to follow such an abstract direction again, then they will truly shatter the limitations that musical mediators try and use to weigh down recording artists that have made it big. There is a notion to be easily digestible and not overstep any creative bounds beyond simplicity. Fortunately for us, there exists 311.
I don't believe there's anything wrong with going against the norm (sometimes it's needed badly), and 311 displayed this by writing what they wanted. I give a lot of respect to them for pushing the envelope and having this much ambition at a time when they were enjoying much success.
This album is amazing. It's probably best to listen to in an atmosphere that is conducive to feelings of comfort and peace, humming along with headphones on. But, to each his own. So enjoy!
I cannot wait to hear what's in store next.
To me Transistor feels like the future of music, combining many styles and infusing skilled instrumental play with ambient progressions of vocals, melodies, and song ideas. Transistor rocks, but it has so much more to offer than any casual fan will be ready for.
If 311 ever decide to follow such an abstract direction again, then they will truly shatter the limitations that musical mediators try and use to weigh down recording artists that have made it big. There is a notion to be easily digestible and not overstep any creative bounds beyond simplicity. Fortunately for us, there exists 311.
I don't believe there's anything wrong with going against the norm (sometimes it's needed badly), and 311 displayed this by writing what they wanted. I give a lot of respect to them for pushing the envelope and having this much ambition at a time when they were enjoying much success.
This album is amazing. It's probably best to listen to in an atmosphere that is conducive to feelings of comfort and peace, humming along with headphones on. But, to each his own. So enjoy!
I cannot wait to hear what's in store next.
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