311’s 1995 self-titled album (commonly known as the “Blue” album) came at a musical crossroads for me. I was in my late teens, living in Southern California, and discovering punk and ska music in a major way. 311 was something of a bridge band for me, blending hip-hop with rock and reggae. They were the perfect band to usher in the next stage of my musical development. However, after that album, 311 became that old friend from high school – someone you talk to on Facebook, promise to make plans, but then ultimately continue on with your lives.
While I’ve occasionally checked some singles since then, they’ve never recaptured the magic I felt in 1995 and 1996 when “Don’t Stay Home,” “Down,” and “All Mixed Up” ruled the airwaves. That is, until the release of 311’s fourteenth studio album, Full Bloom. It gives me the warmth and excitement I felt way back in my teenage years.
This album is an exciting new chapter in the 311 story.
Full Bloom opens with “You’re Gonna Get It,” which sets the tone perfectly for what you should expect. The familiar tone of Nick Hexum’s vocal cadences remains, but the song feels more aggressive than the typical 311. An infectious intro fades in and out throughout the duration of the song, while the intensity builds until it crescendos right before the chorus. Then, we’re treated to heavy guitar and bass work that feels perfect breakdown for the song. Lyrically, you learn that, even though it might not be immediate, the energy you put into the world, be it positive or negative, always comes back.
From there, the album focuses more on positivity and unity. We’re living in uncertain times, both domestically and abroad. If the world were a tea kettle, I’d say we’re right at the brink of whistling. The overall message of Full Bloom encourages people to focus on their community and loved ones. By nourishing those relationships, you’ll live a life where it’s easier to thrive – a life where you’ll never truly be alone.
With plenty of the classic 311 sound to go around, the most exciting parts of Full Bloom are the departures.
The band brought in new producers and challenged themselves with ballads, funkier reggae, and aggressive rock, while some tunes border on modern funk and jazz. Each member of the group shines multiple times, and it doesn’t feel like anyone is hogging the spotlight. Together, they shine a beacon of hope into a dark world.
When you need a pick me up, “All You’ve Seen” helps you remember how you got to this point in your life. It also features the most beautiful vocals from S.A. Martinez on any 311 song I’ve heard. “New Heights” then pushes you to go further with even more positivity and motivational content.
On “Friend,” the lyric “I heard that friends are worth more than gold” especially stuck out to me.
As I continued listening to the album, I found myself stopping to really pay attention to this certain song. It made me nostalgic for the days when I listened to 311 a lot. When it’s all said and done, I’m glad my Nebraska buddies and I recently rekindled our friendship, because it had been far too long. We’ve all done a lot of growing in the almost 30 years since we last saw each other. Dare I say, we have all come full bloom?