Never Let You Go - Third Eye Blind, Jenkins, Stephan
Deep Inside of You - Third Eye Blind, Jenkins, Stephan
1000 Julys - Third Eye Blind, Cadogan, Kevin
An Ode to Maybe - Third Eye Blind, Cadogan, Kevin
The Red Summer Sun - Third Eye Blind, Cadogan, Kevin
Camouflage - Third Eye Blind, Cadogan, Kevin
Farther - Third Eye Blind, Jenkins, Stephan
Slow Motion [Instrumental] - Third Eye Blind, Jenkins, Stephan
Darkness - Third Eye Blind, Cadogan, Kevin
Darwin - Third Eye Blind, Jenkins, Stephan
Third Eye Blind's second album will go a long way in helping the San Francisco-based band to shed their corporate-rock label. Less grandiose and obvious than their 1997 debut, the elegantly flawed Blue crackles with energy... more » and dark humor, but doesn't wade in the same pools of gloom and despair as its self-titled predecessor. Frontman Stephan Jenkins has exchanged his intricate stream-of-consciousness musings for more streamlined soulful wordplay. The assertive, inventive guitars recall such big bruisers of yesteryear as Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin, but without the heavy-handedness. "Never Let You Go," the album's standout, is as catchy as Rick Springfield's "Jesse's Girl," but with a raw edge and a snarling Jaggeresque rap by Jenkins. Smart, poppy, and ironic, Blue more than solidifies Third Eye Blind's standing as a band on the rise. --Jaan Uhelszki« less
Third Eye Blind's second album will go a long way in helping the San Francisco-based band to shed their corporate-rock label. Less grandiose and obvious than their 1997 debut, the elegantly flawed Blue crackles with energy and dark humor, but doesn't wade in the same pools of gloom and despair as its self-titled predecessor. Frontman Stephan Jenkins has exchanged his intricate stream-of-consciousness musings for more streamlined soulful wordplay. The assertive, inventive guitars recall such big bruisers of yesteryear as Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin, but without the heavy-handedness. "Never Let You Go," the album's standout, is as catchy as Rick Springfield's "Jesse's Girl," but with a raw edge and a snarling Jaggeresque rap by Jenkins. Smart, poppy, and ironic, Blue more than solidifies Third Eye Blind's standing as a band on the rise. --Jaan Uhelszki
"A lot of people (myself included) that normally would have only the tiniest respect for modern pop music regarded Third Eye Blind's first album as a sort of guilty pleasure. Well, with the release of "Blue" I'm happy to come and say that I fully appreciate the workings of Jenkins and company. There are enough catchy guitar hooks, intense beats, and powerful lyrics to keep you returning to this album again and again. "Anything" is short enough that it hooks and then abruptly lets go. "Wounded" is a bittersweet rocker and one of the stronger tracks. "10 Days Late"... er no comment, it's weaker than the other tracks. "Never Let You Go" is a punchy hit. "Deep Inside of You" is one of the best, a whisper to scream ballad. "1000 Julys" is one hot chart. The second half of the disk is insanely powerful, a la "God Of Wine" on their first CD, but the real standouts are the instrumental "Slow Motion" and "Camouflage," a driving, multi-layered, echoing masterpiece. Overall you won't be disappointed, it's just too bad all the songs are as immediately accessible as "Semi-Charmed Life," (If you don't think you've heard that song, think again: Doot doo doot! Doot Doo Doo Doo! Yeah, you know it) and thus probably won't get as large an audience. Oh well, they're missing out. Buy this album!"
An Excellent Sophomore effort!
Lee Reamsnyder | 11/23/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"So they beat the sophomore jinx! Blue is a much better album and has a lot more variety and depth. Anything and Never Let You Go are the best tracks, but mind you ther are no fillers! This is one consistent album!This record proves that Third Eye Blind is improving all the time and is definitely not another of those corporate post-grunge bands that have crowded the music scene in the recent times.Worth every dollar you pay and then some more!"
Great Follow-up
elyjar | Perth, Australia | 12/25/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I have to be honest. BLUE does not out shine their first album but it is definately worth buying for any true blue 3eB fan.Firstly, you will not find any top 10 singles in this bunch purely because most of the songs require a few listens to really cogitate and appriciate the melodic and lyrical contents of the song.Secondly, this is a heavier and more complex album compared to the first but with much less affliction. This might not have as much appeal to listeners, especially those who only bought the first album because of songs like 'Semi-charmed Life' , 'How's it Going to Be' and 'Jumper'.Third, there is consistency that extends to this album from their first, in fact too much for my likeing and here's why. When their first album was released, it was different, imaginative and original(not to say this one isn't in any way). It really sucked in listeners with their unique brand of lyrics and distinctive sound which made 3eB a class above the rest. Here is where the problem lies. Because the first album was so brilliantly put together, most of us including myself, have built up enormous expectations for the second . This album is definately not inferior in quality or sound compared to the first, but it could be that our overwhelming expectations for an even better follw-up has made us feel that this album pales in comparison to the first, which is doesn't.I really do recommend that the buyer listens to BLUE a couple of times before passing a judgement because you will find that this new effort by these San Franciscans well and truely affirms their position as one of the most original and thought provoking bands to come out of the US in recent times. I personally gave a five-star rating for this album but I had to downscale it to four stars purely based on the fact that there will 3eB fans out there who might not appriciate this album as much as I do and that's important for them to know."
A truthful review...
grouchusc | USA | 12/05/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"There are two types of 3eb fans. Whether you like the new album or not depends on which type of fan you consider yourself to be.Type 1: You bought the first album only after hearing "Semi-Charmed Life," "How's It Going to Be," "Jumper," etc., on the radio. And, although you may have discovered a few tracks on the album, your listening time focuses around those same hit singles.Type 2: You bought 3eb's debut after hearing SCL only once and discovered the huge singles before they were huge. You also love some non-radio hit tracks more than those singles. You've also been impatiently awaiting the new album.If you're type 1, forget about buying "Blue." You won't like it. If you're type 2, buy it now! Granted, this album isn't as easily accessible as the debut. I didn't like it at first...I hated it. But as I listened more closely, I discovered a truly layered and complex album...an amazing work, with intelligent lyrics and great melodies and hooks. "Wounded" is a brilliantly crafted song...if you listen to only one track to cast judgement, make it this one. Listen to lyrical structure and content...to the orchestral instrumentation during the verses...the soaring guitars of the chorus. you won't be disappointed.I'm giving this album 4 stars...with the fifth one added after "Blue" is absorbed and experienced."
Different, but definately 3eb
bennyman007 | Utah | 01/16/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"After having heard "Never Let You Go" on the radio a few hundred times, I was terrified that the 3eb I knew and loved had crossed the line into the top 40 pop category. After buying the CD and listening to it nonstop for weeks, I'm pleased to say that although they've changed greatly, this is still the same old 3eb.This is definately an experimental album, not the same old catchy yet moody rock from their debut. They've gone in a different direction, which really sets them apart from the rest of the modern rock culture. This definately is not a forgettable throwaway CD.Possibly the most memorable thing about the disc are songs such as "The Red Summer Sun", which show very distinctly the new boundaries that the band is probing. They're definately pushing the envelope on this one, and I can't wait to see where the take their next CD. However, fans of their first CD will still find lots to love in songs like "wounded", a grinding, driving song that doesn't let up until it's worked it's way deep into your soul.All told, don't expect this to be like their 1st CD...expect different, but even better"