#32: Third Eye Blind

So what's it gonna be? Are you real to me? Or are you non-dairy creamer?

Continuing along is Third Eye Blind, who if this was done when I was in 8th grade would be right next to Linkin Park at the top

Wiki Says: Third Eye Blind (sometimes abbreviated 3eb) is an American alternative rock band formed in the early 1990s in San Francisco. The band's current line-up is Stephan Jenkins (vocals, guitar), and Brad Hargreaves (drums, percussion). Guitarist Kryz Reid and bassist Abe Millet have replaced the departed Tony Fredianelli and Arion Salazar respectively, though their official status in the group has yet to be announced.

After the success of their eponymous debut album in 1997, the band released one more album, 1999's Blue, before guitarist Kevin Cadogan was released under controversial circumstances. In 2003, the band released Out of the Vein. In 2008, the band released the digital EP Red Star. After a six year hiatus from releasing a full length album Ursa Major was released on August 17, 2009. A fifth album, Ursa Minor, is currently being work on as well.

The band is best known for the singles "Semi-Charmed Life", "How's It Going to Be", "Jumper" and "Never Let You Go", as well as other popular songs such as "Graduate", "Motorcycle Drive By" and "Wounded".

Romo Says: Well, it seems Romo didn't have much personal input on this post about them.

Discovery: Third Eye Blind (1997)

Blue (1999)

Out of the Vein* (2003)

Ursa Major (2009)

Ursa Minor (2011)

*Best album

Other Releases: Burning London: The Clash Tribute (1999)

Red Star EP (2008)

Favorite Songs: 10. Semi-Charmed Life

9. Misfits

8. Can You Take Me

7. Don't Believe a Word

6. Blinded

5. Graduate

4. Non-Dairy Creamer

3. Sharp Knife

2. Faster

1. Danger

Years Active: 1993-Present

Seen Live: Two times (2007 Sayerville, New Jersey. 2008 Loyola!)

Third Eye Blind is better than what people know of them ("Semi-Charmed Life" and "Jumper", both songs I like very much). Their best two albums (by acclaim and their own opinions) are their two most recent which most people have never heard. If you like their older stuff, maybe the newer songs aren't for you as it is different, but not too much. I do like how recently they have had much more attitude in their music. Songs like "Danger", "Don't Believe a Word" and "Non-Dairy Creamer" are much more political, showing that 3eb is more than a pop-rock band.

Up Next: A band that had only one album, but are one of the more influential punk bands of all time

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

Summer Albums

Kind of taken from Romo's last post, and in "honor" of the new Green Day album, here are my most anticipated albums of the summer.

5. Big D & the Kids Table, "Fulent in Stroll" (Out 7/7): Amazingly this was number one, but then they released 3 songs off of it and the only reason its even on this list is beacuse of my historic love for Big D and how i for some reason keep giving them more chances. I guess six albums is when you have to "draw the line", well "Good luck"

4. Third Eye Blind, "Ursa Major" (Out 6/23): Fourth Album from 3eb, and the first since 2003. The songs released on the "Red Star EP" this fall were great, and i cant wait for the full album

3. Hub City Stompers, "Ska Ska Blacksheep" (Out 5/5): Fourth album from HCS, and I can't wait for this one (i'll probably buy it on iTunes right after this). HCS always kicks ass, and it'll be hard to top "Dirty Jersey", but I'm sure they can.

2. Westbound Train, "Come and Get It" (Out 4/21): Ok, so not exactly Summer release, but I havent gotten it yet so I'm counting it. Again, the 4th Album by WBT, and their cd's keep getting better and better. This one will be no excpetion, and I cant wait for warped tour.

1. The Aggrolites, "IV" (Out 6/9): The fourth album from the LA Reggae band (not counting the Tim Armstrong Album, also amazing), and their first in 2 years. Aggro was by far the best band at Warped last year, and I flat out cant wait for this Album.