Ursa Major [Excelence]

Now that it has actually been released, I'm going to talk about fourth and latest album from Third Eye Blind, "Ursa Major". As I said in my Summer Albums. post, I've been waiting for this album for about six years. Overall, I think that this is an excellent album. I don't think it is as good as 2003's "Out of the Vein", but definitely better than their first two releases in the 90's. I do think, like their previous albums, it loses strength towards the later tracks, but that could be just because the earlier ones are so good. Now for the individual track reviews.

1. "Can You Take Me". Wow. What a way to kick off your first Album in over 6 years. I think it is better than "Faster" was kicking it off in 2003, and is probably one of the band's best songs overall. Its great to hear a band like Third Eye Blind get angry and sing about things like rioting, shows they're more than just that college-rock oriented band they were known for 10 years ago. If you liked "Danger", than you'll love this song.
2. "Don't Believe A Word". Another great track. Like "Non-Dairy Creamer" did, the band showcases their ability to sing about more serious topics. Plus it provides my favorite lines from the whole album "Rap stars brag about shooting each other? What ever happened to 'Brotha, Brotha'? We like thugs when they attack, and we like crime when its black-on-black".
3. "Bonfire". Good song. I don't have too much to say about it, besides that it is really enjoyable.
4. "Sharp Knife". It starts out quiet and slow, but then the chorus hits in and things really pick up. A great, hard song.
5. "One in Ten". A nice, sweet, slower song. I really like their use of piano and brass on the song, it comes out really really well.
6. "About to Break". Another song that starts out slowly and picks up very nicely.
7. "Summer Town". Starts out very fun, but kind of slows down at towards the end and goes on a little long.
8. "Why Can't You Be?" A really sweet slower song that first showed up last fall on the "Red Star EP". Except this time the song sounds much more professional and the instrumentals have come out much nicer. Another great line, "Sometimes a blow job is not enough".
9. "Water Landing". Not the greatest song, but still a good, slow, quiet one.
10. "Dao of St. Paul". Another one I'm not really a fan of, but I'll admit this one is better than I've given it credit for. I don't know what it is, just doesn't really stand out to me.
11. "Monotov's Private Opera". Probably my least favorite actual track on the album. Again, one that just doesn't quite float my boat.
12. "Carnival Barker (Instrumental)" Just an instrumental track to carry out the album, not really one to comment on even.

Overall, it is a great and highly recommended album. Third Eye Blind has done a great job over the course of their last two albums to really stand out to me. They're not the type of band I'd usually enjoy, but "Out of the Vein" (Specifically "Danger") really made me want to stick with them and their ability to get angry and make their music carry out a message. I got really excited with the release of their EP in the fall, specifically the way their voice their feelings in "Non-Dairy Creamer", which didn't make it to the album but I HIGHLY suggest you listen to it regardless.

Long story short, it was worth the wait. Great job, 3eb