Universal Pulse

Universal Pulse
Studio album by 311
Released July 19, 2011
Recorded 2010-2011 at The Hive in North Hollywood, California
Genre Alternative rock, reggae rock, hard rock, rap rock
Length 28:55
Label 311 Records, ATO Records
Producer Bob Rock
311 chronology
Uplifter
(2009)		 Universal Pulse
(2011)		 Stereolithic
(2014)
Singles from Universal Pulse
  1. "Sunset in July"
    Released: June 3, 2011
  2. "Count Me In"
    Released: October 4, 2011
  3. "Time Bomb"
    Released: January 23, 2012

Universal Pulse is a mini-LP and the tenth studio album by American rock band 311, released on July 19, 2011[1] on 311 Records/ATO Records. It clocks in at almost 29 minutes, making it the shortest album 311 ever released, as well as their first release on their own independent record company.

Upon release, it received near-favorable reviews. Many critics praised the elasticity of the production quality, as well as the music tone, but drew a sharp concentration on how rushed it felt, and how that it was unusually dull. It has currently a 57 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[2]

Album information

Like its predecessor, Uplifter, this album was produced by Bob Rock, who has produced or engineered albums by numerous notable acts, such as Metallica, Aerosmith, Mötley Crüe, Bon Jovi, The Cult, Our Lady Peace and The Offspring. Unlike previous albums where their record label requested that the drums be recorded at an alternate location, all tracks, including the drums, were recorded at the Hive Studio. To support the album, 311 invited Sublime with Rome to co-headline the 2011 Unity Tour,[3] with special guests DJ Soulman and DJ Trichrome. The artwork was done by Sonny Kay. With only eight songs and clocking within less than thirty minutes, it's their shortest album to date.

The album's first single "Sunset in July" was released on June 3, 2011.[4] The album's second single "Count Me In" was released on October 4, 2011.[5]

Reception

Allmusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave Universal Pulse a 2.5/5, commenting "Within the sharp relief of Bob Rock’s immaculate production, this can mean that the fuzz-toned guitars and crunching riffs are strenuously underlined: they are the foundation of this unusually rock-oriented 311 album yet in this crystal-clear atmosphere they drill, not pummel." and concludes that "Universal Pulse can be wearying even at its half-hour length."[6] Consequence of Sound gave the album a 3.5/5 and declares that it's the band best album since From Chaos, saying "Once this album has completed its first full rotation, there’s an immediate urge to play it again. It’s short, sweet, and a perfect follow-up to where the band was in 2009."[7]

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic57/100[8]
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[7]
Consequence of Sound[9]
Entertainment Weekly(B–)[10]
IGN[11]
PopMatters[12]
Rolling Stone[13]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Time Bomb"  Nick Hexum, Tim Mahoney, SA Martinez, Aaron "P-Nut" Wills3:16
2."Wild Nights"  Hexum, Martinez, Chad Sexton, Wills3:38
3."Sunset in July"  Hexum, Martinez, Sexton, Wills3:56
4."Trouble"  Hexum3:32
5."Count Me In"  Hexum, Martinez3:27
6."Rock On"  Hexum, Martinez, Sexton3:29
7."Weightless"  Hexum, Martinez3:19
8."And a Ways to Go"  Hexum, Martinez, Wills4:18
Total length:28:55

Charts

Charts Peak
position
U.S. Billboard 200 7
U.S. Billboard Rock Albums 2
U.S. Billboard Digital Albums 4
U.S. Billboard Independent Albums 1
U.S. Billboard Alternative Albums 2
U.S. Billboard Tastemaker Albums 1

Personnel

References

  1. ↑ "New 311 album title". 311 Official Web Site. May 25, 2011. Retrieved 2011-05-25.
  2. ↑ "Universal Pulse Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved 2012-05-21.
  3. ↑ "311 / Sublime with Rome". Punknews.org. Retrieved 2011-09-11.
  4. ↑ "EXCLUSIVE: 311 Debut Funky New Single". SPIN.com. 2011-06-03. Retrieved 2011-09-11.
  5. ↑ MusicRemedy.com /. "311 - Count Me In - Listen/Watch Now". Musicremedy.com. Retrieved 2011-11-19.
  6. ↑ Thomas, Stephen (2011-07-19). "Universal Pulse - 311". AllMusic. Retrieved 2011-09-11.
  7. 1 2 "Allmusic review".
  8. ↑ "Universal Pulse Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved 2012-05-21.
  9. ↑ "CoS review".
  10. ↑ Anderson, Kyle (2011-07-29). "Albums: July 29, 2011 (311, Universal Pulse)". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2012-05-21.
  11. ↑ "IGN review".
  12. ↑ Rausch, Will. "311: Universal Pulse". PopMatters. Retrieved 2013-02-16.
  13. ↑ "Rolling Stone review".
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