311 Repeats Strengths, Weaknesses

These transplanted Nebraskans, who have made their home in Los Angeles since 1992, carefully culled the most compelling elements of several genres to forge their sound. Rhythms range from agitated thrash to rolling reggae and undulating funk. Some tunes bite with a hard rock edge and others embrace with a warm pop glow.

Powered by this potent formula, the quintet’s self-titled 1995 third album went double-platinum, and its latest effort isn’t much of a departure.

The material on “Transistor” sometimes lacks the sharp focus of “311,” but it certainly pushes all the right musical buttons. The catchiest tracks pack a hummable melodic verve similar to the earlier “Don’t Stay Home” and “Down,” while weightier grooves unwind with earnest, well-articulated energy.

But if this album succeeds for the same reasons as “311,” it also shares the weaknesses of earlier work.

As enthusiastic as the delivery is, and as adept as 311 is at crafting songs, the group--which plays Sept. 25 at the Greek Theatre--ultimately lacks the distinctive character of other artists who have dabbled in similar musical hybrids. Without some swaggering machismo (the Red Hot Chili Peppers), lurid eccentricities (Faith No More) or cartoonish buffoonery (Goldfinger), there isn’t anything outside of the formulaic appeal of the music to take to heart.

Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent).