311 August 22, 2007

Due largely in part to their non-stop touring in the early '90s, 311 built a big fan base for its rock-rap-reggae hybrid style of music. Pepper is a hybrid of reggae/ska/punk that coalesces for a smooth upbeat blend that is edgy, thriving and rocking melodic. The Wailers are in a curious position of simultaneously profiting from the enormous reputation of their most famous member, the late Bob Marley, and asserting that their leader, bassist Aston "Family Man" Barrett, has always been the soul of the group. That may or may not be true, but it's no accident that the group's vocalists have consistently been Marley sound-alikes.