There are two types of Third Eye Blind fans. Buying and ultimately liking "Blue" depends on which type you consider yourself to be.

Type 1: You purchased the self-titled debut only after hearing "Semi-Charmed Life," "How's It Going to Be," "Graduate," "Jumper," etc on the radio. A year or so later, your listening time continues to focus primarily on those same hit-singles. And while you may have discovered a couple of other songs on the album, hitting the "skip" button on the cd player to hear "SCL" or "Jumper" again proves too tempting to resist.

Type 2: After hearing "SCL" on the radio only a few times, you felt compelled to by the debut and discovered all of the mega-hits before they had even a second's worth of airplay. Two years or so later, you find yourself listening to the album as a whole...the radio hits are nice, but tracks like "Narcolepsy" and "The Background" are better. The "skip" button isn't even an option.

If you're Type 1, don't buy "Blue" just yet. Borrow a friend's copy...listen to it at a record store...or, like you usually do, wait until tracks get radio exposure. Most likely, you won't like it.

If you're Type 2, buy "Blue" immediately!

I consider myself a hardcore Type 2 3eb fan...however, when I first listened to "Blue," I was not impressed. In fact, I was down right disappointed...I thought the entire work was a joke. When I finally obtained the cd (I was listening to mp3's a couple weeks before the release date...hehe), I put it on the headphones, laid back, closed my eyes and listened. What I discovered was a truly amazing album.

"Blue" is an album that takes time to understand and experience. While the first album was immediately accessible, the second contains layered, intricate musical textures and lyrical structures that need to be absorbed to be fully appreciated.

What many do not realize is that "Blue" is the first time 3eb has recorded as a collective group. (Drummer Brad Hargreaves wasn't officially with the band during the recording of the first album.) Anyone who has seen the band live knows how tight and powerful it is collectively..."Blue" communicates this as the tracks sound more dynamic and cohesive.

If a purchasing decision had to be based on one track, it would be "Wounded." Listen to how the drum and bass type drum pattern and soft orchestration of the verses intertwine with Stephan Jenkin's lyrical delivery...pay attention to how the soft verse slowly rises into the soaring guitars of the chorus...and most importantly, listen to the aforementioned lyrics.

To make a long story short, prepare to focus some serious listening to time to "Blue." While it requires more time and involvement to experience, the album will ultimately satisfy the listener in ways the debut never could.

I'm giving "Blue" four stars initially, with a fifth added after the album is experienced.



Recommended: Yes