311 (commonly known as the Blue Album) is the third studio album by American rock band 311, released on July 11, 1995, by Capricorn Records. The album contains the successful singles "Don't Stay Home", "All Mixed Up", and "Down", and was certified triple platinum with sales of over three million copies.
311 | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | July 11, 1995 | |||
Recorded | 1994-95 | |||
Studio | NRG (Los Angeles) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 39:32 | |||
Label | Capricorn | |||
Producer | Ron Saint Germain | |||
311 chronology | ||||
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Singles from 311 | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [1] |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [2] |
Rolling Stone | (average)[3] |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [4] |
AllMusic's Peter Stepek was positive towards the album, saying "These riff-heavy and radio-ready songs are underscored by a tight drum sound (often with a piccolo snare), the scratching of turntables, and the crunch of heavy guitars: a formidable backdrop for this surprisingly melodic effort. The rhythms of reggae and ska percolate through this mix, and the harmonies of Nick Hexum and S.A. Martinez lend the band an edge not found in the majority of bands that feature rapping over rock beats."[1] Rolling Stone says the album has "ear candy with good beats" and "remarkably adept at genre juggling". They also describe the album as "Beasties-cum-Chili Peppers traits has a potent reggae undertow".[3]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Down" | Nick Hexum, SA Martinez | 2:52 |
2. | "Random" | Hexum, Martinez, Chad Sexton | 3:05 |
3. | "Jackolantern's Weather" | Hexum, Martinez, Sexton | 3:24 |
4. | "All Mixed Up" | Hexum, Martinez | 2:59 |
5. | "Hive" | Hexum, Martinez, Sexton | 2:58 |
6. | "Guns (Are for Pussies)" | Hexum, Martinez, Sexton | 2:16 |
7. | "Misdirected Hostility" | Hexum, Martinez | 2:56 |
8. | "Purpose" | Hexum | 2:42 |
9. | "Loco" | Hexum, Tim Mahoney | 1:53 |
10. | "Brodels" | Hexum, Martinez, Sexton | 3:29 |
11. | "Don't Stay Home" | Hexum | 2:43 |
12. | "DLMD" | Hexum, Martinez | 2:11 |
13. | "Sweet" | Hexum, Mahoney, Martinez | 3:15 |
14. | "T & P Combo" | Hexum, Mahoney, Martinez, Wills | 2:49 |
Total length: | 39:32 |
"Misdirected Hostility" was written in reference to the violence between the Phunk Junkeez and their back-up vocalist K-Tel Disco.
”Jackolantern’s Weather” was going to have a music video, released around Halloween, but the band declined because “they said they were tired.”[5]
The initial pressing of the album was distributed by "RED" and later re-pressed and distributed by Mercury Records in 1996 (note the tray card and disk updated with Mercury contact information and slightly washed out color on the disk front).
Weekly charts edit
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Year-end charts edit
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Year | Single | Chart | Position |
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1995 | "Don't Stay Home" | Modern Rock Tracks | 29 |
1996 | "Down" | Hot 100 Airplay | 37 |
1996 | "Down" | Modern Rock Tracks | 1 |
1996 | "Down" | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 19 |
1996 | "All Mixed Up" | Hot 100 Airplay | 36 |
1996 | "All Mixed Up" | Modern Rock Tracks | 4 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United States (RIAA)[10] | 3× Platinum | 3,000,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |