In Brief

* * * 311, “Soundsystem,” Capricorn. This is another high-impact crazy quilt of funky beats, hip-hop vocals, speed-metal guitars and other pop odds and ends. The Nebraska-bred combo wisely resorts to a heavier reggae vibe here, though the track “Life’s Not a Race” has enough classic-rock flava to sound like a Santana tribute. And guitarist-vocalist Nick Hexum still sings like a mellow hip-hop sage happily lost in the ether. In stores Tuesday.

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Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent). The albums are already released unless otherwise noted.