Third Eye Blind - Out of the Vein

Holds up over time

When I think of 3eb, I usually think of their first two albums and seem to forget this one. But everytime a song from this album pops up on my iPod, I'm surprised at how good it is. I think this was their best album in retrospect.

Blinded
Faster
Crystal Baller

hold up very well with their earlier strong songs
Thanks A Lot
Jumper
Semi Charmed Life
Wounded

Definitely an underrated album worth a listen. November 18, 2008

Best to date

This album I feel is their best to date. Not just musically, but lyrically as well. If you truly listen to the lyrics of this album you will appreciate the quality of the music being presented. November 7, 2008

High Voltage and Immensely Satisfying

3EB hit this one out of the park! Ever hear a song that's so addictive that if you're listening to it while driving, and you reach your destination, you just can't bring yourself to shut off the car stereo until the song is over? This album is chock-full of songs like that.

The individual songs have a highly-polished, layered complexity to them that showcases 3EB's talent for balancing pure thrash-rock energy with finely-crafted guitar riffs and nuanced vocals. My personal favorite is "My Hit and Run", about a near-death experience in a motorcycle crash. Other gems include "Palm Reader", "Blinded", and "Good Man", but honestly, there are no bad songs on the album, and the album as a whole has an excellent flow to it, starting with the explosive "Faster", following up with equally stunning "Blinded", then easing up the throttle a bit with "Forget Myself" before flooring the gas pedal again on "Danger".

"Misfits" is a stadium-rock anthem at its finest, starting out slow and mellow, then gradually, progressively building into a roar of alienated rage with each new refrain. On "Good Man", lead singer Stephan Jenkins' vocals artfully meander around the melody, often a half-step ahead of or behind where you'd expect; the end result is intriguing off-rhythm poetry (see also "How's It Going to Be" off their first album for another example). If you're a fan of energetic, kick-@$$ progressive rock, you should own this album. October 4, 2008

Pry open your third eye.

If you ask me, Third Eye Blind is a really underappreciated band. But wait, you say. Am I talking about the same Third Eye Blind that enjoyed massive commercial success ten years ago, and were all over every radio station, music television station, and crappy teen movie around? THAT Third Eye Blind?????

Why yes, I surely am. And the reason for this is simple: this band, for all the commerical success it has received, is MUCH more talented than most people give them credit for. Most people only know them from their big hits, like "Semi-Charmed Life" and "How's It Going to Be", and while those are fine pop tunes, they don't really give an accurate impression of what to expect from a 3EB album. All three of their albums are full of excellent musicianship, creative and diverse song structures, mature and plaintive lyricism, and of course the emotive and versatile vocals of Stephan Jenkins.

"Out of the Vein", unfortunately, was sort of the album that got away. It never really had a big hit, and thus it mostly went ignored by the public. Quite a shame, as this is every bit as solid as the first two albums. The songwriting overall is perhaps a bit more polished and straightforward by comparison. There are no wild roller coaster rides like "Narcolepsy" or "The Red Summer Sun", but the songs are still well-crafted and fairly diverse. Songs like "Blinded", "Faster", "Wake for Young Souls", and "My Hit and Run" all boast very memorable and distinctive melodies. "Good Man", "Another Life", and "Misfits" perfectly exemplify the band's softer side, and their suberb knack for balladry.

I have to give special mention to "Self Righteous", which features guest vocals from ex-Moldy Peaches singer Kimya Dawson (who was recently popularized by the movie "Juno"). This is sort of a different kind of feel for the band, as Dawson brings her distinctive stripped-down folk style to the table, and her raw and beautiful vocals blend surprisingly well with Stephan's. Definitely a highlight for me.

Overall, this is just really solid, perfect pop. It's probably my least favorite of all their albums ("Blue" being my favorite), but that certainly diminishes nothing, as it's really pretty close to a three-way tie. In short, this band's entire catalog is highly recommended. Those who wish to write them off as some one-dimensional by-the-numbers radio rock band are missing out on one of the most talented rock bands of the 90's. March 11, 2008

BUY THIS

I just love love love these guys. Stephan Jenkins can do no wrong by me !!!!! September 4, 2007

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