311 [ tickets ] burst onto the scene with 1995's "Blue Album" and the No. 1 Modern Rock track "Down." Truth is, they had two albums out before "Blue," and the formula didn't change very much on the four studio albums that followed.

An acquired taste to some, the group is nonetheless consistent--and the metal, reggae, rap and dancehall influences permeate the Omaha, NE, quintet's eighth studio set, "Don't Tread on Me."

The tight musicianship--the kind of tight that comes from playing together for over 15 years--of guitarist Tim Mahoney, bassist P-Nut and drummer Chad Sexton are also unchanged, but on first listen the album features a bit more aggressive vocals from Nick Hexum and S.A. Martinez.

The close vocal harmonies and generally upbeat mode of the title track belie its standoffish title, while "Thank Your Lucky Stars" is more of a crunchy rocker, featuring high-pitched vocals from Martinez. "Frolic Room" leads off with Sexton's timbale-like snare, before sinking into a sultry reggae groove perfect for beachcombing.

Mahoney's steel-drum guitar tone drives "Speak Easy," while P-Nut's low-end buzz leads off "Solar Flare," which graduates to a slow, thick, metallic swamp.

But really, this isn't that different from the 15-year-old efforts that, back then, were very ahead of their time. The converts will stay converted, but others may wonder if they've heard it all before.