Third Eye Blind
Like many groups, San Francisco's Third Eye Blind got going in fits and starts. The original incarnation fractured leaving only guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Stephen Jenkins and bassist/vocalist Arion Salazar. They hooked up with guitarists Kevin Cadogan and Tony Fredianelli. In '94 Fredianelli left but the group was able to find drummer Brad Hargreaves. Barely surviving the local club scene, Third Eye Blind did manage to get a slot opening for Oasis when they were in town. This and other notable gigs eventually won Third Eye Blind a recording contract. Their self-titled album, produced by Jenkins and Eric Valentine, arrived in '97 powered by the mega-hit "Semi-Charmed Life." The album also contained several lesser hits including "How It's Going To Be," "Jumper," "Graduate" and "Losing A Whole Year." The album was a big seller as Third Eye Blind moved from opening to headliner status.
When a group finds massive success they often have trouble repeating it. Third Eye Blind seemed a perfect example. Though it contained the modest hit "Never Let Go," the '99 sophomore effort "Blue" failed to live up to critical or commercial expectations.
In '00, Cadogan left and was replaced by former member Fredianelli who had recently served as the group's tour guitarist. Third Eye Blind released "Out Of The Vein" in '03.
This album too had disappointing sales - a "mere" 500,000 copies. Part of the problem was corporate. Their label, Elektra was absorbed by Atlantic. Promotional support was sparse with budget for only one video - the single "Blinded." "Our record company ceased to exist the month the record was released, Elektra Records imploded," said Jenkins at the time.
The album also came out right on the heels of the Jenkins/actress Charlize Theron breakup. At various shows Jenkins told the audience that "Forget Myself" and "Palm Reader" were written either for Theron or about the relationship.
Adding to the misery, Warner Music dropped Third Eye Blind, along with other bands. The '04 pruning, according to Atlantic co-chairman Craig Kallman, was so "we can give each of our acts top priority."
Third Eye Blind kept going, but it wasn't easy. Salazar walked. Leo Kremer filled in on bass but was done after a tour of Japan. Abe Millet temporarily took over with the band saying Salazar could return whenever he wished - there was an "open door policy."
"Ursa Major," Third Eye Blind's fourth studio album, dropped in '09. Ursa Major is an astral constellation. The name means bear in Latin which explains why one (outlined by stars) graces the album's cover.
The set was a long time coming. The album was first discussed in '07 when Jenkins said that the album would be "more political" than previous albums. The single, "Non-Dairy Creame," was released in 08, but the song wasn't included the album. "Don't Believe A Word" was "Ursa Major's" lead single.
Third Eye Blind's self-titled debut is hard to resist. Jenkins passion-play lyrics and emotive vocals, mixed with the soft/loud song structure and alternating tempos was on target for the late-90s. "Blue" is fair. The band feels it was an unrealized effort and that may be the best way to look at it. It travels down familiar turf but without the power or feeling of its predecessor.
"Out Of The Vein" marks a return, at least in spirit, to the group's debut. The album starts strong with the uptempo "Faster" and the single "Blind (When I See You)." "Danger" amps up the energy but "Self Righteous" seems out of gas. Still, "Out Of The Vein's "accessible guitar oriented pop/rock recovers from the "Blue" misstep.
There's no denying Third Eye Blind's appeal to college audiences. It's all that introspection. But "Ursa Major" doesn't start that way. "Can You Take Me," "Don't Believe A Word" and "Bonfire" come out kicking before "old school" Third Eye Blind reasserts itself. "One In Ten" is pretty good but the remaining tunes are simply OK. The exception is the upbeat pop oriented "Summer Town." How could a song with that name be anything else?