Evolver is a solid 311 effort. The jabbing rap-rock has definitely given way to some milder, more lyrical tunes, but 311 can still hit hard. On this album, they seem to pull out the stops at just the right time in each cut. This album is indeed an evolution of their musical style, and we 311 fans are sitting back with Don't Tread on Me -- their latest pop-infested release -- waiting for another more experimental album that will expand on Evolver in 2007. All in all, it looks like 311 have contented themselves to release some really innovative stuff every other album, and just have fun in between.

Having said that, I am tired of writers comparing bands saying that one is trying to be just like another. 311 has gotten a lot of bad publicity in reviews when writers can't see past the bandwagon music business favorites like the Chili Peppers, and make such ridiculous remarks about 311 trying to be as innovative as those "gods" the Peppers.

Now, in a head to head comparison, I have to give a lot of credit to the Peppers, especially in raw musical talent. But, 311 is a band I have listened to for years, and not just occasionally.

When I feel like good music, I put in 311. I don't listen to the Peppers more than once in a while. After all, 311 use their powers for good instead of evil, as it were; their message is always positive and their music shows it. 311 just makes me feel better as a soundtrack to my day in - day out activity than bands like No Doubt, the Peppers, and a handful of others.

As for this effort, and 311's oeuvre in general, I quote countless musicians and music critics when I say: nothing ventured, nothing gained. 311 is not worried about critics, or it would have tried to make a couple of duplicates of their Grassroots and Blue Albums and garner the same kind of commercial success. Instead, we have a body of work and a powerful touring band that has developed a loyal fan base and continues to experiment, inspire, and have a lot of fun.

Too many listeners, and not a few critics hear 311 radio hits, give one or two tracks a go on any one album, and then make sweeping judgements about how 311 are repeating themselves. My response is: I own the entire 311 catalog, and when I listen to any one of their albums, I always find a new and surprising twist or bit of musical invention or uplifting lyric that I overlooked before.

And that, in my opinion, makes 311 a great band.

One last word of advice to any readers that are scoping out bands - don't listen to critics. They have to listen to way too many albums to enjoy any of them.