Review Summary: Third Eye Blind continues their greatness, with a superb follow-up record.
There are many benefits to releasing a highly successful debut. In Third Eye Blind’s case, their 1997 Self-Titled release was immensely popular, and appealed to both mainstream society and the critics. Much of the band’s success was propelled by singles
Semi-Charmed Life,
Jumper, and
How’s it Gonna Be. The debut overall was energetic, passionate, and even depressing at times. Tracks such as
The Background and
Motorcycle Drive-By received critical acclaim, and were highlights of the release. In 1999, Third Eye Blind followed their tremendous debut with the superb “Blue.” “Blue” marks the final album in which Third Eye Blind had guitarist Kevin Cadogan in the lineup. Cadogan contributed a great deal of songwriting to these first two albums and was considered one of the major weapons of the band.
Musically, “Blue” was similar enough to “Self-Titled” to be successful, but also different enough to stand out as a separate commodity. Although “Blue” is not quite up to par with its predecessor in terms of quality, it tops “Self-Titled,” in terms of uniqueness.
Farther is a tremendous example. The track is driven by synth bass lines and guitar and vocal volume swells. The beautiful and powerful
Slow Motion may be the band’s greatest achievement, it surpasses pretty much everything on “Self-Titled” and everything after. Everything here is exceptional, the piano and slow electric leads are delivered incredibly, and the emotion in Jenkins’ voice is impossible not to feel.
“Blue” has its share of depressing songs, from
Wounded to a personal favorite of mine
10 Days Late, in which the narrator is forced to deal with an early pregnancy. Jenkins however, is still having a blast; his high energy is an underscore of the record. Even on
Wounded, Jenkins’ high pitched yell is in action, he claims, “I don’t care baby I don’t care, NO!” His falsetto is also present on tracks such as
The Red Summer Sun, almost screaming out lines “It’s been a long time a long time to walk with the mighty, walk with the mighty, so let me go, let me go.”
The Red Summer Sun is unlike anything the band has done to this point, again illustrating the uniqueness of the album.
Lead single
Never Let You Go is a simple, yet catchy and effective track, again utilizing Jenkins’ falsetto to its advantage. Follow-up single
Deep Inside of You is a very well-written ballad and
1,000 Julys is just plain fun. “Blue” possesses the variety factor, possibly just as much as its predecessor.
Although not as accessible as “Self-Titled,” “Blue” is a sensational album complete with creativity, darkness, and fun. Unfortunately, the quality of Third Eye Blind’s music diminished slightly following this release, leaving this and “Self-Titled” on top.
Recommended Tracks:
Wounded
10 Days Late
Deep Inside of You
Slow Motion
