Don't Tread on Me

Japanese edition includes the bonus track "Little Brother".

311’s place in rock ‘n’ roll history seems secure. Unfortunately, so does its sound. Unlike other funk-inflected acts such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, and even Incubus, 311’s never fully expanded on the promise of its initial musical vision. On Don’t Tread On Me, the band’s eighth studio release, P-Nut and the gang seem intent on mining the same familiar terrain they have since their 1995 self-titled classic. Fans of albums such as 2001’s From Chaos and 2003’s promising Evolver will likely find Tread familiar and perhaps even comforting, but it’s unlikely to invite a new horde of fans as the album often sounds like an imitation of the bands 311 helped inspire in its decade-plus career. There are some nice touches. "Speak Easy," "Waiting" and many of the other tracks evoke images of sandy beaches and warm summer breezes, but none are strong enough to help Don’t Tread On Me stands out from the herd. --Jedd Beaudoin