This is an open forum for staff members, contributers, and fans alike to submit their reviews on the latest music releases and concerts. In an industry that is drowning with overprocessed, grossly overrated, unoriginal crap these days, this is our chance to allow the real stars to shine, if only on our humble, little stage; and expose you to some of our favorite talents.
Reviews are given 1 - 5 stars.
1. Faster
2. Blinded
3. Forget Myself
4. Danger
5. Crystal Baller
6. My Hit and Run
7. Misfits
8. Cant Get Away
9. Wake For Your Souls
10. Palm Reader
11. Self Righteous
12. Company
13. Good Man/Untitled Track
Third Eye Blind had been on an extended hiatus. “Out of the Vein” is the first release from the band since the artistically excellent, but commercially disappointing “Blue” This is also the bands first cd written without guitarist Kevin Cadogan, who was unceremoniously fired by singer and ringleader Stephan Jenkins, apparently for not kissing enough of Stephan’s ass.
The good news is that the new record is very good. Jenkins, for all his obnoxiousness, is actually a very good songwriter. One thing immediately noticeable about this record is that it rocks much harder than the previous two records. The pop cuts are at a minimum. Other than lead single “Blinded” the only other real pop oriented song is “Can’t Get Away” which is a bit similar to their first hit “Semi Charmed Life.”
The rock songs are something to behold here. “Faster” get the album off to a rocking start with a jangley guitar riff. “Crystal Baller” the current single, is an epic, and 3EB’s best song to date. An acoustic intro leads into an ac/dc-ish stomp throughout the rest of the song. “Misfits” is another great heavy song, with Stephan calling out to his fans (Misfits).
The lyrics as a whole are puzzling at times, though not on the level of astonishment that Gavin Rossdale of Bush achieves with every release. There’s actually some really well written lyrics in “Crystal Baller” and then songs like “Cant Get Away” and “Forget Myself” are clearly written about Jenkins’ flamed out relationship with Charlize Theron.
The record gets a bit hit or miss down the stretch, as “Company” and “Good Man” are winners, while “Palm Reader” and “Self Righteous” fall completely flat. You can’t help but think that if Cadogan was still in the band, that the cd would have had a couple more nice pop hooks, and would have been more consistently strong throughout. All and all though still a good album from a very good band.
Best Songs:
Faster
Crystal Baller
Cant Get Away
Company
Avoid:
Self-Righteous
Reviewed by: Mike Gorman | December 2004
