311 DON'T TREAD ON ME

311: Nick Hexum (vocals, guitar); P-Nut (bass guitar); Tim Mahoney, S.A. Martinez, Chad Sexton.
Personnel: Nicholas Hexum (vocals, guitar); S.A. Martinez (vocals); Tim Mahoney (guitar); Chad Sexton (drums, percussion); Robert Greenidge (pans).
Recording information: Hive.
Photographer: Myriam Santos-Kayda.
On the follow-up to 2003's EVOLVER, Omaha pop-funk-reggae-rockers 311 continue the maturation process begun on that album. The 11 tunes on DON'T TREAD ON ME rarely deviate from 311's established formula. The laidback title track (also the album's first single) is a particular highlight, blending a rock-steady rhythm with one of the band's catchiest choruses. Elsewhere, S.A. Martinez and Erik Hexum maintain their trademark vocal blend; however, given that rap-metal was officially pass? by 2005, Martinez only slips into his hip-hop-influenced mode on the jittery "Speak Easy." The rest of the album tends to focus on upbeat rockers like "Thank Your Lucky Stars," "Solar Flare," and the party anthem "Frolic Room." 311 was always the least angsty rap-metal band; now they're more like Sugar Ray's wiseguy older brothers.

• Format: CD
• Genre: Rock and Pop