From Chaos

Background

Much of the album From Chaos was written by the band while on tour in 2000 promoting their fifth studio album Soundsystem. The album name “From Chaos” was inspired by the band’s situation with their previous record label of 7 years, Capricorn Records. According to singer Nick Hexum, they “had a lot of disagreements with Capricorn over the years and it was just time to end our relationship.” The band sued Capricorn, voided their contract and signed with Volcano records. Although the band was going through the stress of legal trouble, they didn’t want to make an album about negativity, so most of the album is about “relationships and appreciating life” according to Hexum, who takes pride in being up-beat and positive.

Critical Reception

The album "From Chaos" received positive reviews from various music critics. Steve Appleford of Los Angeles Times writes "[the album] "From Chaos" is mostly a repeat of proven 311 formulas (even with strange new flashes of prog-rock flavor), but singers Nicholas Hexum and S.A. Martinez are earnest, energetic MC's, crooning, rapping, shouting across a thundering blend of rock, reggae, hip-hop and psychedelia. Still fresh and funky." Angelique Campbell from Dayton Daily News in Ohio writes, "311 stays with its formula of combining funk, rock and reggae with a dash of catchy pop sensibility on From Chaos." Jacob Lunders, a contributor for Allmusic writes, "From Chaos astonishes and impresses with considerable energy and focus, proving itself as the album 311 has always been capable of making."

However, Paul Massari of The Boston Globe criticized the album, writing "311 tries to demonstrate that it is still relevant in the era of the loud, angry rap-metal band. The death-rock power chords on tracks like "Full Ride" are plodding, and the tone of the gangsta raps is absurdly inflated." Kathryn McGuire of Rolling Stone adds, "311 slings melodramatic metal riffs and whiny verses every which way, and their once-novel fusion seems unfocused and flat." Kristen Koba, founder of Popmatters.com wrote, "The whiny white boy rap, almost funky bass lines, and grinding guitar riffs just couldn’t hold up in a city that offers so much innovative hip-hop and truly vital rock."

Track listing

1. "You Get Worked" (Music: Hexum/Sexton; Lyrics: Hexum/Martinez) - 2:51
2. "Sick Tight" (Hexum; Hexum/Martinez) - 2:44
3. "You Wouldn't Believe" (Hexum; Hexum/Martinez) - 3:40
4. "Full Ride" (Sexton; Hexum/Martinez) - 3:07
5. "From Chaos" (Hexum; Hexum/Martinez) - 3:15
6. "I Told Myself" (Sexton/Hexum; Hexum/Martinez) - 4:10
7. "Champagne" (Hexum/Mahoney; Hexum/Martinez) - 3:04
8. "Hostile Apostle" (Hexum; Hexum/Martinez) - 3:44
9. "Wake Your Mind Up" (Sexton/Wills; Hexum/Will Adams/Tre Hardson) - 3:12
10. "Amber" (Hexum) - 3:29
11. "Uncalm" (Hexum/Mahoney; Hexum/Martinez) - 3:11
12. "I'll Be Here Awhile" (Hexum/Martinez) - 3:28

B-Sides & Outtakes

Charts

Album

Singles