311 - Greatest Hits '93-'03

From the chunkheaded rap-rock beta tests "Down" and "All Mixed Up" through the blue-eyed make-out reggae of "Amber" and on to latter-day stuff like the underrated Soundsystem single "Come Original," 311 spanned the nascence and ultimate codification of the alternative nation. "F*ck the naysayers 'cause they don't mean a thing!" -- if you went to college in the 1990s, 311 was on your radar. Greatest Hits '93-'03 remasters the highlights from those years, includes the Omaha group's graceful cover of the Cure's "Love Song," and pads the set with two new songs. As for the unreleased material, "First Straw" is a pleasant enough reggae-rock jam of the variety S.A., Nick Hexum, et al., have grown skilled -- if not necessarily better -- at writing, while "How Do You Feel" is a muscular rocker with the usual eager rap/triumphant chorus dynamic. Other highlights include a version of Grassroots opener "Homebrew" remixed for added punch and grit, and the diametrically opposed Evolver cuts "Creatures (For a While)" and "Beyond the Gray Sky." While "Do You Right" is the only representative from 1993's Music, it's nice to remember that it sounds like Fishbone playing Love. In short, Greatest Hits '93-'03 is the perfect time capsule for the casual 311 fan. It might even shake loose the name of that stoner kid from freshman year. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide

Name Credits 311 Audio Production, Producer Alison Dyer Photography Annalisa Photography B. Williams Lyricist Brian Smith Photography Catherine Wessel Photography Chad Sexton Mixing, Drums, Group Member D. Martinez Lyricist Danny Clinch Photography Darin Black Photography David Kahne Audio Production, Mixing, Producer Eddie Offord Mixing, Audio Production, Producer Hugh Padgham Producer Jack Joseph Puig Mixing Joe Gastwirt Mastering, Mixing Larry Tolhurst Lyricist Marina Chavez Photography Melodie McDaniel Photography Nicholas Hexum Group Member, Guitar, Vocals, Lyricist Nick Gamma Art Direction, Design Nick Hexum Guitar, Vocals P*nut Bass, Group Member P-Nut Group Member, Guitar (Bass), Bass P. Thompson Lyricist R. Hamilton Smith Lyricist Robert O'Donnell, Jr. Lyricist S.A. Martinez Group Member, DJ, Vocals Saint Mixing, Producer, Audio Production Scott Ralston Producer, Audio Production, Mixing Tim Mahoney Guitar, Group Member