311: Nick Hexum (vocals, guitar); P-Nut (bass guitar); Tim Mahoney, S.A. Martinez, Chad Sexton.

Personnel: Nicholas Hexum (vocals, guitar); S.A. Martinez (vocals); Tim Mahoney (guitar); Chad Sexton (drums).

DJ: S.A. Martinez.

Audio Mixers: Saint; Scott Ralston; Chad Sexton; Eddie Offord; David Kahne; Jack Joseph Puig; Joe Gastwirt.

Photographers: Alison Dyer; Melodie McDaniel; Darin Black; Catherine Wessel; Marina Chavez; Brian Smith ; Annalisa; Danny Clinch.

From the chunkheaded rap-rock beta tests "Down" and "All Mixed Up" through the blue-eyed make-out reggae of "Amber" and on to latter-day stuff like the underrated Soundsystem single "Come Original," 311 spanned the nascence and ultimate codification of the alternative nation. "F*ck the naysayers 'cause they don't mean a thing!" -- if you went to college in the 1990s, 311 was on your radar. Greatest Hits '93-'03 remasters the highlights from those years, includes the Omaha group's graceful cover of the Cure's "Love Song," and pads the set with two new songs. As for the unreleased material, "First Straw" is a pleasant enough reggae-rock jam of the variety S.A., Nick Hexum, et al., have grown skilled -- if not necessarily better -- at writing, while "How Do You Feel" is a muscular rocker with the usual eager rap/triumphant chorus dynamic. Other highlights include a version of Grassroots opener "Homebrew" remixed for added punch and grit, and the diametrically opposed Evolver cuts "Creatures (For a While)" and "Beyond the Gray Sky." While "Do You Right" is the only representative from 1993's Music, it's nice to remember that it sounds like Fishbone playing Love. In short, Greatest Hits '93-'03 is the perfect time capsule for the casual 311 fan. It might even shake loose the name of that stoner kid from freshman year. ~ Johnny Loftus

With its signature hybrid sound, 311 spawned scores of imitators and emerged as one of the best-loved and most enduring groups on the rap-metal scene. The band freely combines not only hip-hop and heavy metal, but liberal doses of reggae, funk, dub, Beach Boys-style harmonies, and Phish-like jam-band music. The Nebraska-based quintet steers clear of the sharp edges and angst-laden lyrics of contemporaries Limp Bizkit and Rage Against the Machine in favor of an all-inclusive, celebratory vibe. Starting with the Chili Peppers-esque punk-funk workout "Down" and progressing through the trippy Caribbean-tinged "Amber" to the surf/ska-influenced "Do You Right," GREATEST HITS '93-'03 comes as advertised, collecting all of the band's favorites into one non-stop party package.