I have been a fan of Third Eye Blind (3eb) since they released their self titled album in 1997, and have eagerly been awaiting for Ursa Major to arrive. Their previous album, Out of the Vein, was released in 2003, so Ursa's been a long time coming. Personally, I think it's bullshit when artists take forever to release albums. Stephan Jenkins has said that the band will be releasing Ursa Minor sometime this year, which is supposed to be a compilation of tracks that didn't make the Ursa Major cut. Unfortunately, I'm not entirely convinced of this. Jenkins had stated, in 2003 around the time of the released of Out of the Vein, that they would be releasing a second album containing bonus songs and materials (as the story was that they compiled so many songs, they couldn't fit them all on Out of the Vein). FYI, I'm still waiting for that Out of the Vein part 2...
In May of this year, 3eb was touring in the Tri-State Area and I was fortunate enough to get tickets to a small event at The Palace in Stamford, CT. The best part about the event was both the size of the venue, we were right on top of the band, and the fact that this was not a Ticketmaster sponsored event. I paid $39 a ticket and didn't have to pay a cent extra to those Ticketbastard fucks. What I am going to do is review Ursa Major, song by song, and I may reference the concert I attended.
3eb starts the album off right with a very catchy tune, and one of the better songs on the album. Somewhat derivative, this song doesn't sound like something so new you don't know what you are listening to. Great song to start the long awaited album.
This is the first single off Ursa Major - unfortunate choice. This song is more political message than decent musical listening. The chorus is a decent composition for a catchy single, but contains three words "Don't - Be-lieve - It", sung a few times, and then manages to go into a less than entertaining verse. Worst part of the song, "Brotha Brotha!" No thanks Jenkins, MOVING ON!
3. Bonfire
This, I know, was one of the songs played at the concert I was at. The recorded version begins with a guitar and Jenkins singing in the background "whoa-oh", for about 30 seconds or so. My first impressions from the live show was not this quick. The intro "whoa's" lasted for about 2 or 3 minutes (at least it seemed so in my drunken stupor) that the band tried to get the crowd to sing - wasn't happening. That said, this is another good song on the album. The verse isn't bad, but then the chorus is just a really great change in sound. Overall this song is pretty good, but I really appreciate the bridge from the verse to the chorus, and the chorus itself. The composition of the song makes it rock if you ask me. Bam.
4. Sharp Knife
This song has a beginning that when I listen to it on my iPod I am fooled into thinking it's the Red Hot Chili Peppers (RHCP) from Stadium Arcadium. I don't know if Jenkins is trying to sound like Anthony Keidis, but this song seems to have a bit of an identity crisis. This song isn't bad, but it's not one of their best.
5. One in Ten
This is an easy listening song, more along the lines of an acoustic song. It's not one of those songs that I scroll through a list to listen to, but it's actually a very good song. Jenkins isn't the best vocalist, but this song maxes out his range (of 4 notes) at it's best.
This song is another slower song similar to One in Ten, but this song is one of the best on the album. Slightly preachy, but you can get over it really quickly because of the chord and vocal progression. This is 3eb at their best: slightly different sound, a mixture of techniques, and a structure that changes on you just as you're about to get bored. Very good song.
7. Summer Town
Ugh, mark it in your calendars friends. First 3eb song that I wish I could remove completely from my iPod. Just bad. It was like they said, "We need to fill a gap on the CD, anyone have some crap we can put together?"
My official position regarding this song is that I prefer the version off of Red Star EP (bonus review below). Hyperlinked is the Ursa Major version, but see my comments below.
Now that's what I'm talking about. Love this song. Best song on the album by far. Literally, I could put this song alone on repeat for about an hour if I really wanted. Similar notes from About to Break, the verse is good, the bridge is excellent, the chorus is interesting and not too long. Just a great variety really. Even Jenkins' mini rap session is totally tolerable and fits with the song. This song is the BuDa-PicK! Take they lyrics for what you will, I'm taking them for something very, very, dirty.
10. Dao of St. Paul
This song starts abruptly, and the lyrics to the verse seemed force to fit. The chorus isn't anything amazing, but it's no Summer Town, either. The song gets pretty good around "...rejoice...evermore...". Nothing amazing, but it could be worse.
Quietly, this is one of the best songs on the album. Great composition, and a fairly original sound. I would compare this song to Out of the Vein's song, Self-Righteous, in the sense that it has a very particular sound, is fairly quiet, and also that I like both of these songs very much.
This song has a good beat, but it's an instrumental and is only about 1:30 long. That makes this CD 11 songs plus one minute and 30 seconds long of an instrumental. I'm going to see if I can find a legit version and comment on that. Could be similar to Blue's song, Slow Motion, where they couldn't release it with lyrics like that. (Seriously, listen to the version of Slow Motion, its awesome, the hyperlink takes you to some kids cover that isn't bad, hit me up for the iTunes file). I am finding info on a Carnival Barker that is 7:11, but I can't get any audio clips for it. That's all I got peeps.
I have to give Ursa Major 3 BuDa's out of 5. Less than I was hoping for, but still, that's a lot of BuDa's in one place at one time, not going to lie.
BONUS REVIEW: Red Star EP (2008) by Third Eye Blind
I usually don't like a heavy dose of politics with my music, but this song makes it work for me. I really enjoy this song, and it sucks it's not on Ursa. The version on the EP is a full studio recording and their performance I attended had this as one of their "premiere" songs.
2. Red Star
This song is perfect for an EP, because it doesn't seem to fit with any compilation 3eb could put together, but this is a very good song.
3. Why Can't You Be (Live)
Unfortunately I can't find the audio for this version for you, but I have it and you can hit me up if you would like a listen. This version is much better than the studio recording on Ursa Major. Jenkins starts off talking to a small crowd about an argument he had with a ex-girlfriend (most likely Vanessa Carlton, who he dated and managed since about 2002/03 and recently broke up with) about how she said her "truest-purest love" was a shower head massager. When you eventually listen to it, please note the chuckle when Jenkins' sings the line "...sometimes a blowjobs not enough...". You knew it, this song is the BuDa-PicK!
I have to give Red Star EP 4 1/2 out of 5 BuDa's. Three awesome, awesome songs. It only gets half a point off for being an EP. DON'T CHEAP OUT ON ME 3EB! An EP, and a 3 out of 5 BuDa album in 6 years?! What have you been doing?! You better hold true on that Ursa Minor promise, or I may just have to reduce you to 2 BuDa's! Consider yourself ON NOTICE!
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