Third Eye Blind, Blue ( * * * ) Produced by singer/songwriter Stephan Jenkins, Third Eye Blind's sophomore album serves up energetic and sophisticated pop-rock that's neither original nor generic. Whether whining or pining, Jenkins sings with brash, soulful abandon, tapping emotions less blue this time than in the album's predecessor. Any derivative moves, including the AC/DC holler in "The Red Summer Sun" (a metal blastoff of wah-wah guitar and accelerating beats), are disguised by sheer verve and muscle. Just shy of two minutes, the punk attack of first single "Anything" leaves you craving more, as do the glorious psychedelia of "Camouflage" and the pop glimmer of "Never Let You Go".
While nothing here packs the immediate wallop of 1997 hit "Semi-Charmed Life", from the band's huge-selling, self-titled debut, Blue outshines much of what constitutes pop radio's monochromatic playlist. -- E.G.
