03/06/00

Rating : Three and a half stars out of five.

  Everyone can still remember Third Eye Blind's big hit Semi-Charmed Life from their first CD. It was a catchy song about drug addiction that was heard on every rock, pop and modern rock station in the country. But their first CD was pretty solid containing other great pop songs. Following up that kind of huge success is difficult but 3EB doesn't play it safe on Blue, instead opting to experiment with several different styles and sounds. Does it work?  Well... sort of.
  The CD starts out with the blistering Anything which begins in a whisper but ends less than two minutes later in a rocking cresendo. The next several songs are in severe need of a more subtle metaphor.  They are total "wear your heart on your sleeve" types of songs that are way too literal showing singer Stephan Jenkins' emotional scars.

  Their current single Never Let You Go is a great pop song with a soft falsetto intro into the chorus.  1000 Julys starts with a great classic rock sounding guitar riff and what's maybe my favorite track An Ode To Maybe has a quirky arrangement that will have it sticking in your head for hours (the distorted clavinet breakdown is too cool).
  My down point is Jenkins trying to do a little AC/DC type vocal on The Red Summer Sun.  Someone should tell him to stick to his strengths.
  This CD has a lot of solid pop songs and it has a lot of variety that should make this good for more than just one listen. 3EB fans should definitely pick this one up as well as anyone wanting a slick pop CD that isn't just a one trick pony.