Third Eye Blind

Following the success of Third Eye Blind’s self-titled 1997 debut LP was not an easy task. If you’ll recall, that incredibly popular disc produced five exceptional singles, "Semi-Charmed Life," "Graduate," "How’s It Going To Be," "Losing A Whole Year," and "Jumper." And while it’s not without imperfections, the San Francisco-based quartet’s new album, Blue, avoids the feared sophomore slump by delivering another batch of adept modern rock.

The spunky, punky pop of the first single "Anything," with it’s blazing guitars, is a song of devotion promising endless airplay. The band’s infectious post-grunge pop formula produces a number of winners, including possible follow-up singles like the edgy, melody-fortified "10 Days Late," and "Never Let You Go."

3EB’s focal point and songwriter/vocalist Stephan Jenkins puts an introspective spin on the acoustic ballad, "Walking With The Wounded," while the downbeat "Deep Inside Of You," is a song of longing not unlike their 1998 smash "How’s It Going To Be." Listeners get further soul-searching on the album-closer, "Darkness."

The mostly instrumental "Slow Motion," a formerly controversial, anti-violence number which was censored by 3EB at the insistence of their record label, still retains the aggressive guitar work of Kevin Cadogan and Jenkins. After all, the greatest moments on Blue, which despite the title is less gloomy than Third Eye Blind, when the group ditches the "weight of the world" bit and concentrates on being a dependable rock band.

Clearly, the songwriting on Blue lives up to expectations, with consistently powerful material throughout. The only major disappointment is the inclusion of a mere nine songs, which will leave listeners wanting more.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------