MOSAIC

by 311

Overview

Nearly three decades into their careers, 311 unveiled Mosaic, their 12th album of fusion rock that continues their tried-and-true combination of reggae, hip-hop, and alternative metal. The fourth set produced by Scott "Scotch" Ralston, Mosaic extends the path of 2014's Stereolithic -- deeper lyrics and expert execution -- except with a more exciting and uplifting vibe. The island influences make this an enjoyable summertime soundtrack, but aside from the outright tropical cabana vibe of "Island Sun," Mosaic's tunes are more fit for a sunset rager on a sweaty beach. "The Night Is Young" starts with a chilled-out groove courtesy of guitarist Tim Mahoney, bassist P-Nut, and drummer Chad Sexton, before doubling-down with a crunchy blast that kicks sand into the face of anyone who thought 311 were getting soft in their forties. "One in the Same" and "Hey Yo" are absolute assaults that also prove this point nicely. Such satisfying riffs and pounding drums abound on Mosaic, offering a bountiful handful of "classic" 311 tracks to "open up the pit," as S.A. Martinez raps on "Perfect Mistake." He continues, "This is life, man/All we do is jam/We'll make you feel like a child/Again and again." Indeed, the warm feelings of nostalgia continuously bubble up on "Too Late," "One in the Same," "Face in the Wind," and many more. John Feldmann (Goldfinger, blink-182, All Time Low) joins the production team for a handful of entries, infusing ''Til the City's on Fire" with a dancehall/pop-punk heartbeat that even includes a bass drop, and the contemplative "Places That the Mind Goes" with a distinct "Amber" energy. At a hefty 17 songs, Mosaic seems like it might overstay its welcome. However, with the amount of variety on display -- a "mosaic" of sounds, if you will -- the LP serves as an energetic soundtrack with thrilling peaks and blissed-out valleys, making it yet another gift to their dedicated fan base and another possible entry point for casual listeners who haven't checked out the Omaha quintet since "Down" or "Love Song." Closing with the anthemic "On a Roll," Nick Hexum sings "Gonna keep it alive/We're always chasing the sun/Writing words to a book/Another chapter's begun." It's a triumphant declaration from these vets, a rousing promise that the party has yet to end. ~ Neil Z. Yeung

Product Details

Release Date:	06/23/2017
Label:	Bmg
UPC:	4050538282641
Rank:	55041

Album Credits

Performance Credits

311   Primary Artist
S.A. Martinez   Vocals
Chad Sexton   Drums
P-Nut   Bass
Tim Mahoney   Guitar
Alan Hampton   Vocals (Background)
Nick Hexum   Guitar,Vocals

Technical Credits

Evan Taubenfeld   Composer
Joe Gastwirt   Mastering
John Feldmann   Composer,Engineer,Producer
Chad Sexton   Mixing,Composer
Doug Martinez   Composer
Tim Mahoney   Composer
Matt Pauling   Composer,Engineer,Additional Production
Alan Hampton   Composer
Zack Hexum   Composer
Nick Hexum   Composer
Aaron Wills   Composer
Jason Walters   Assistant
Brian Bowen-Smith   Band Photo
Randall Leddy   Design,Art Direction
Nathaniel Caserta   Composer
Dillon Pace   Composer
Taylor Bringuel   Cover Design
Geoffrey Earley   Composer
Anthony Kimball   Photography
Zakk Cervini   Mixing,Composer,Engineer
Scotch Ralston   Mixing,Composer,Engineer,Producer
James Knerr   A&R
Gabriel Isaac   Composer