If you love 311
This CD has to be owned by every 311 fan for two reasons. Track number 16. How Do You Feel? and number 17. First Straw. These two songs are only available on this CD. The price was low enough for me so I totally had to have it. The two songs are totally worth it and it's a great mix to pop in when you just want to hear some good summer tunes.

Pretty good collection
I've been a 311 fan since Music came out in the early 90's, seen them in concert a few times. All in al this is a pretty good collection of 311's work. Some good singles, a couple of heavy songs from thier early stuff, and a good collection from thier latter albums. If you are looking for a collection with a particular feel you might want to single out one of thier albums. However, if you're looking for a hits collection with a broad range of 311's music style over the years look no further. Good stuff!

1 1/2 thumbs up
I got my item pretty fast and it was in exactly the same condition as described. I was pretty impressed.

I'm on a quest with a vision, I've got love and tradition, I wear a mask that grins and laughs, I remember what I've done
THE TRILOGY OF DEBUT ALBUMS, 1993-1996

Music (1993)
Debut Trilogy Part 1: An original, energetic, raw, explosive fusion of rock, hip hop, funk, reggae and rap. About two-thirds of the songs are re-worked versions of the band's best songs from the Omaha years. The other third are butt-kicking new songs made just for this release. This album says, "This is what we can do."

Grassroots (1994)
Debut Trilogy Part 2: An exploration of their roots, a musical journey of growing up from the ground up. This album says, "This is where we came from."

311, "self-titled" or "the blue album" (1995)
Debut Trilogy Part 3: A crisp, tight, bold, definitive, well-oiled machine. This album says, "This is what we are."


THE TRANSITION YEARS, 1997-2001

Transistor (1997)
4th Studio LP: The next phase in 311's evolution begins with this ambitious and psychedelic exploration of their unique style. This is their longest album, and it shows a substantial decrease in the rap/sing ratio. Transistor is my 4th favorite release (or 2nd fave if you count the first three LPs as one).

Soundsystem (1999)
5th Studio LP: While this follow-up to Transistor is not a huge leap forward style-wise, they still "come original" here. Soundsystem is really just as high quality as Transistor, which is only slightly more favored because it is longer. Soundsystem, technically my 5th favorite LP, is the last 311 album that I would describe as "great."

From Chaos (2001)
6th Studio LP: This is the 3rd and final album of the Transitional phase started by Transistor and continued with Soundsystem. This album is not a huge departure from Soundsystem, but to me it far inferior. Front-man Nick Hexum was suffering from a long-term relationship break-up, and it shows. This album attempts to herald the dawning of a new era for the band, but it instead accentuates the ending of their glorious initial decade. From Chaos is tied with DTOM (2005) for my least favorite 311 studio LP, but it still has a couple killer tracks, like "Sick Tight."


THE NEW SCHOOL, 2002-?

Evolver (2003)
7th Studio LP: Evolver succeeds in a lot of ways that From Chaos fails. It truly brings in the next era of 311's evolution. While it is a better LP than From Chaos, it further embraces melody over rap. I would describe this album as good but not great. This is my 6th favorite 311 album.

Greatest Hits '93-'03 (2004)
311's Greatest Hits CD does have a lot of good studio-recorded songs, but the best part is that all of them (even from 2003) are digitally re-mastered for the best possible sound, and the early rocker "Homebrew" is even updated with a sorely needed remix. The two new tracks clearly belong in this new era started by Evolver. It is disappointing that the rocker "How Do You Feel?" feels under-developed and brief, as if a guitar solo was left out just to keep it simple and more easily digestible to the casual fans. Still a good song though.

Greatest Hits song source statistics

1 ~ Music (1993)
1 ~ Grassroots (1994)
3 ~ 311, the self-titled "blue album"
2 ~ Transistor (1995)
2 ~ Soundsystem (1999)
3 ~ From Chaos (2001)
2 ~ Evolver (2003)
1 ~ cover song from movie soundtrack
2 ~ new songs first appearing on Greatest Hits

Good compilation
It definitely has almost all of 311's best songs, and includes their cover of "Love Song" by The Cure, however some of the songs chosen to fill out their greatest hits album seem to be thrown together as filler. Most are good songs regardless, but unless you celebrate their entire catalog, you'll understand what I'm talking about. Still, not upset that I bought it!