Transistor (311 album)

Template:Use mdy dates{{safesubst:#invoke:Unsubst-infobox||$params=italic_title,name,type,longtype,artist,cover,border,alt,caption,released,recorded,venue,studio,genre,length,language,label,director,producer,compiler,chronology,prev_title,prev_year,year,next_title,next_year,misc|$extra=italic_title,longtype,border,caption,language,director,compiler,chronology,year,misc|$aliases=italic title>italic_title,Italic title>italic_title,Name>name,Type>type,image>cover,Cover>cover,Border>border,Alt>alt,Caption>caption,Longtype>longtype,Artist>artist,Released>released,Recorded>recorded,Venue>venue,Studio>studio,Genre>genre,Length>length,Language>language,Label>label,Director>director,Producer>producer,Compiler>compiler,Chronology>chronology,Misc>misc|$flags=override|$B={{#ifeq:{{#invoke:Is infobox in lead|main|[Ii]nfobox [Aa]lbum}}|true|{{#if:Template:Has short description | |{{#if: August 5, 1997 | Template:Short description}}}}}}{{#invoke:Infobox|infobox}}Template:Template otherTemplate:Category handlerTemplate:Main other{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Infobox album with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y|italic_title |type |name |image |cover |border |alt |caption |longtype |artist |released |recorded |venue |studio |genre |length |language |label |director |producer |compiler |prev_title|prev_year|next_title|next_year|chronology|year|misc}}{{#if:{{#invoke:String|match|error_category=Music infoboxes with Module:String errors|A|1=3111995Omaha Sessions1998studioTransistor311_transistor.jpg311August 5, 1997February–April 1997NRG (Los Angeles)Template:Flatlist66:11CapricornTemplate:Flatlistx|2=</?t[drh][ >]|nomatch=}}|Template:Main other}}Template:Main other}} Transistor is the fourth studio album by American rock band 311, released on August 5, 1997, by Capricorn Records. The album saw a change in musical style as fewer songs feature rapping in comparison to the band's previous albums. Intended as a double album, 311 opted to release the album on a single CD in order to make it more affordable to their fans.

Upon its release, Transistor received largely mixed reviews from critics, who felt it was overlong and self-indulgent. Retrospectively, however, the album has been more positively received, and was certified platinum by the RIAA.

Music

Transistor is 67:59 in length, with twenty-one music tracks; it was originally intended to be a double album, but all songs were instead placed onto one disc.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In a 1997 interview with Billboard, drummer Chad Sexton said that the band had recorded 29 songs for the album, but decided to cut the album's songs down to 21 to fit on a single CD instead of two (the vinyl release still featured two LPs) in order to make the release affordable to their fans.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite magazine</ref> As 311 were only contracted for 11 songs, meaning they would not be paid for including any more songs, the band effectively gave away 10 of the album's songs for free.<ref name=":0" /> Nick Hexum admitted that doing too many songs in not enough time for Transistor was a mistake.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

While still utilizing their alternative rock sound in many songs, Transistor saw 311 moving away from their hip hop-influenced sound of their previous albums<ref name="consequenceofsound1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> for more of a reggae-influenced sound,<ref name="archive1"/> as shown in songs such as "Prisoner", "Inner Light Spectrum", "Running", "Rub a Dub", and "Stealing Happy Hours". Although, their rap rock style is still present in some songs, such as "Galaxy", "No Control", "Tune In", "Starshines", and "Borders". Transistor also contains elements of dub,<ref name="allmusic1"/> space rock and stoner rock.<ref name="consequenceofsound1"/>

Reception

Template:Music ratings Transistor received a mixed review from Allmusic, who commented that "a project of this magnitude is almost doomed to fall on its face, and Transistor nearly does," and noted there were enough good songs for a 30 to 40 minute album, but had too much filler. They nominated the title track as the only Track Pick from the album.<ref name="allmusic1"/> The album has received criticism from The A.V. Club, who says "With 21 songs spread out over 68 minutes, the record has taken plenty of critical punishment for its excessive length alone," and calls it a "joyless, tedious exercise in white-boy reggae, white-boy rap, white-boy dub and white-boy rock," concluding that the band could suffer a "Spin Doctors-style career combustion" in the future.<ref name="avclub1"/> Entertainment Weekly also panned the album, stating that it features "some of the weakest rhymes and derivative white-bread dub in recent memory" and concluded that the band did not know "the thin line between experimentation and self-indulgence".<ref name="autogenerated1"/> Rolling Stone criticized the album, saying it was "trying too hard to expand their sonic horizons", and commented how they seem to unwillingly change their musical style.<ref name="archive1"/>

Retrospective reviews

In contrast, the album was retrospectively received positively by Consequence of Sound, comparing it to The Beatles' album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Commenting that "the singles aren't what make Transistor great. It's the deep cuts that you play over and over again, trying to catch the meaning", they conclude that the album is "one of a kind".<ref name="consequenceofsound1"/> Over time, Transistor has developed a cult following and become a fan favorite, eventually leading to the band performing the album in its entirety on August 6, 2011, in front of over 10,000 fans. This was done at their very own Pow Wow Festival, created to commemorate the 14th anniversary of the album.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2017, the Willamette Week ranked Transistor as 311's greatest album.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Personnel

Credits adapted from album's liner notes.<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>

311

• Nick Hexum – vocals Template:Small, rhythm guitar, programming
• SA Martinez – vocals Template:Small, scratches
• Chad Sexton – drums, percussion, programming
• Tim Mahoney – lead guitar
• Aaron Wills – bass

Additional musicians

• Eric "Bobo" Correa – percussion Template:Small

Production

• 311 – producer
• Scotch Ralston – producer, engineer, mixing
• John Ewing Jr. – assistant engineer
• Wade Norton – technical support
• Joe Gastwirt – mastering

Charts

Album

Chart	Peak position
US Billboard 200	4<ref name="Billboard">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Singles

Song	Chart	Peak position
"Transistor"	U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks	14<ref name="Billboard"/>
"Transistor"	U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks	31<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
"Beautiful Disaster"	U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks	21<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
"Prisoner"	U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks	21<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>