| Our Bande Apart | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | September 24, 2021 | |||
| Recorded | 2020–2021 | |||
| Length | 32:06 | |||
| Label | Mega Collider | |||
| Producer |
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| Third Eye Blind chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Our Bande Apart | ||||
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| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Pitchfork | 6.9/10 [1] |
Our Bande Apart is the seventh studio album by American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind. It was released on September 24, 2021.
After releasing their sixth studio album, Screamer , in October 2019, Third Eye Blind was able to complete the first leg of the tour supporting it but was forced to cancel the second leg in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic—the first time they had to cancel in 22 years. [2] Unable to tour, the band turned to recording further music. [3]
Stephan Jenkins started the writing sessions for the album in early 2020, in seclusion, under lockdown in the early days of the pandemic. [4] Recording began as soon as the lockdowns ended and the band could reassemble. Jenkins noted the sessions were the most enjoyable he had ever experienced, due to everyone's excitement to be together and creating music again. [4] [5] Plans for the release initially started as an EP while recording first demos, but later expanded to a full-length album. [3] [5] During the sessions, guitarist Kryz Reid insisted they perform a cover of Joy Division's "Disorder" during their initial sound tests. [3] Jenkins, surprised by the energy he felt they captured, suggested the band not only record a studio version of the cover but also release it right away in May 2020, as part of various musical artists' effort to create a tribute to Joy Division singer Ian Curtis on the fortieth anniversary of his death. [3]
While writing the song "Again", Jenkins envisioned himself singing it with Bethany Cosentino of the band Best Coast. [5] Upon finding out that Cosentino lived just a few blocks away from the Eagle Rock recording studio, Jenkins was able to convince her to sing on the track. [4] Cosentino finished her vocals in just two takes. Jenkins originally envisioned them singing a vocal harmony but instead felt that just singing in unison captured his intended energy better. [5] Other collaborations on the album include contributions from the Smashing Pumpkins' guitarist Jeff Schroeder, and Poliça and Marijuana Deathsquads' Ryan Olson. [4]
The single "Again" was described as "breezy, power-poppy alt-rock [the band] made in the [19]90s" [6] and a "fuzzy, catchy, punk-adjacent pop jam". [7] Jenkins himself described it as an end-of-summer "surf rock" song. [7] Thematically, the track is about longing for a post-COVID, normal life. [4]
The album's name, Our Bande Apart, was announced on July 30, 2021, the same day as the first single, "Box of Bones", was released. [5] The track "Again" came out on August 20. [5] A third song, "To the Sea", was released on September 16. [8] The album was published on September 24, 2021. [9] A "making of the album" documentary, directed by Kryz Reid, entitled How We Hold Each Other Right Now: The Making of Our Bande Apart, premiered on the same day, at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City. [9]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Goodbye to the Days of Ladies and Gentlemen" | Stephan Jenkins | 3:06 |
| 2. | "Box of Bones" |
| 3:39 |
| 3. | "Again" (featuring Bethany Cosentino) | Jenkins | 2:49 |
| 4. | "Silverlake Neophyte" | Jenkins | 3:37 |
| 5. | "Dust Storm" |
| 4:01 |
| 6. | "The Dying Blood" | Jenkins | 3:21 |
| 7. | "Funeral Singers" | Tim Rutili | 4:29 |
| 8. | "To the Sea" |
| 2:54 |
| 9. | "Time in Berlin" |
| 4:10 |
| Total length: | 32:06 | ||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10. | "Disorder" | 3:34 |
Third Eye Blind
Technical
Design
Third Eye Blind is an American rock band formed in San Francisco, California, in 1993. After years of lineup changes in the early and mid-1990s, the songwriting duo of Stephan Jenkins and Kevin Cadogan signed the band's first major-label recording contract with Elektra Records in 1996. The band released their self-titled debut album in 1997, with the band largely consisting of Jenkins, Cadogan, Arion Salazar, and Brad Hargreaves (drums). Shortly after the release of the band's second album in 1999, Blue, with the same line-up, Cadogan was released from the band under controversial circumstances.
Stephan Douglas Jenkins is an American singer, guitarist, and the frontman of the alternative rock band Third Eye Blind. He began his musical career in 1992 as part of the short-lived rap duo Puck and Natty, alongside Detroit rapper Herman Anthony Chunn. Following the breakup of the duo, Jenkins and guitarist Kevin Cadogan formed Third Eye Blind in 1993. The band released their eponymous debut studio album in 1997, which went multi-platinum in the United States. Since then, they have released nine more albums: Blue (1999), Out of the Vein (2003), Ursa Major (2009), Dopamine (2015), We Are Drugs (2016), Thanks for Everything(cover album) (2018), Screamer (2019), Our Bande Apart (2021), and Unplugged (2022). As part of Third Eye Blind, Jenkins has received one Billboard Music Award and eight California Music Awards.
Blind Illusion is an American progressive thrash metal band from Richmond, California. Formed in 1978 by lead guitarist and main songwriter Mark Biedermann, the band has had several lineup changes, with Biedermann being the only constant member. Blind Illusion is also notable for featuring Les Claypool and Larry LaLonde, both later of Primus, who performed bass and guitar respectively on their 1988 debut album The Sane Asylum.
Third Eye Blind is the debut studio album by American rock band Third Eye Blind, released on April 8, 1997, by Elektra Records. The album was collectively written by Stephan Jenkins and Kevin Cadogan, while production was helmed by Jenkins and Eric Valentine. Recorded in and around San Francisco at Toast Studios, Skywalker Ranch, and H.O.S., the album incorporates elements of alternative rock, post-grunge, and power pop. Thematically, the album focuses on topics such as relationships, drug addiction, suicide prevention, and the band's experience of being signed to a major record label. Third Eye Blind was promoted with five singles: "Semi-Charmed Life", "Graduate", "How's It Going to Be", "Losing a Whole Year", and "Jumper".
Blue is the second studio album by American rock band Third Eye Blind, released on November 23, 1999. The album's creation was difficult, mainly due to power struggles and arguments between frontman Stephan Jenkins and lead guitarist Kevin Cadogan, leading to a quick but isolated recording experience between members. The album was generally well received by critics, and was certified platinum by the RIAA, but performed below the band's prior album, the multi-platinum Third Eye Blind. While managing to stay together for the creation of the album, shortly after its release, the band fired Cadogan, touring in support of the album with replacement guitarist Tony Fredianelli.
Out of the Vein is the third studio album by American rock band Third Eye Blind. Released on May 13, 2003, Out of the Vein is the band's first album with guitarist Tony Fredianelli, who replaced longtime guitarist Kevin Cadogan in 2000. It would also be Third Eye Blind's final album with Elektra Records as well as their final album with bassist Arion Salazar.
"Semi-Charmed Life" is a song by American rock band Third Eye Blind from their 1997 eponymous debut studio album. It was released to modern rock radio as the lead single from the album on February 18, 1997, by Elektra Records. Frontman Stephan Jenkins is credited as the sole writer of the song, although guitarist Kevin Cadogan has disputed the song's authorship through litigation. The song was produced by Jenkins and Eric Valentine. An alternative rock and power pop song with a rap-influenced singing style, the lyrics of "Semi-Charmed Life" concern a crystal meth addiction and transition periods in one's life.
"Jumper" is a song by American rock band Third Eye Blind from their eponymous debut studio album (1997). The song was written and produced by frontman Stephan Jenkins, with additional production by Eric Valentine. Elektra Records released it as the fifth and final single from the album on August 4, 1998. An alternative rock and acoustic power pop song, "Jumper"'s lyrics concern an act of suicide, as Jenkins urges for a greater amount of human compassion.
"How's It Going to Be" is a song by American rock band Third Eye Blind from their eponymous debut studio album (1997). It was released to radio as the third single from the album on October 20, 1997, by Elektra Records. Frontman Stephan Jenkins and guitarist Kevin Cadogan are credited as writers of the song. Production on the song was helmed by Jenkins, Eric Valentine, and Ren Klyce, with additional production and arrangement by Arion Salazar and Cadogan. According to Jenkins, the song is about the end of a relationship and the transition to acquaintanceship.
"Graduate" is a song by American rock band Third Eye Blind from their eponymous debut studio album (1997). It was released to radio as the second single from the album in July 1997 by Elektra Records. Frontman Stephan Jenkins and guitarist Kevin Cadogan are credited as co-writers on the song. Production on the song was helmed by Jenkins and Eric Valentine. According to Jenkins, the song is about the band's experience after being signed to a major record label.
Third Eye Blind is an American alternative rock band formed in San Francisco, California, in 1993. The group's discography consists of seven studio albums, one live album, two compilation albums, three extended plays, 25 singles, three promotional singles, and 31 music videos. The current line-up consists of Stephan Jenkins, Brad Hargreaves, Kryz Reid, Colin CreeV, and Alex LeCavalier. They have amassed worldwide album sales of over 12 million units.
Best Coast is an American rock duo formed in Los Angeles, California in 2009, currently on hiatus. The band consisted of songwriter, guitarist and vocalist Bethany Cosentino and guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Bobb Bruno. Cosentino, a former child actress, began writing music as a teenager and was formerly a member of the experimentalist drone group Pocahaunted. After a brief stint at college in New York City, Cosentino returned to the West Coast and began recording lo-fi demos with Bruno, whom she met in the Los Angeles music scene.
Dopamine is the fifth studio album by American rock band Third Eye Blind, released on June 16, 2015. It is the band's first studio album since 2009's Ursa Major. Third Eye Blind worked on Dopamine from 2010 to 2015. The album's first single, "Everything Is Easy", was released on May 8, 2015, along with a cover version of the Beyoncé song "Mine". The album debuted at No. 13 on the Billboard 200, selling over 21,000 copies in its first week.
Symphony of Decay is an EP by American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind. The EP started off under the working title Black as a companion to their platinum selling 1999 album Blue. Its creation was a result of a compromise over the release method of the track "Slow Motion"; the band had wanted it on Blue, while their record label, Elektra Records, opposed its inclusion on such a high-profile full-length album release due to its controversial lyrics. The EP would go through years of delays for a multitude of reasons, including extensive touring, prioritizing the completion of their third studio album Out of the Vein, and complications arising from parting ways with Elektra in 2004. The EP itself was never collectively released, though many of the tracks were eventually released elsewhere.
Ursa Minor is an unreleased studio album by American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind. Initially conceived as the second part of a double album to their 2009 release Ursa Major, the album was delayed, and eventually shelved, due to legal issues between frontman Stephan Jenkins and then-guitarist of the band Tony Fredianelli. The subsequent re-staffing the band with mostly new members in 2011 and 2012 led Jenkins to shy away from releasing the material, stating that it no longer represented the current band lineup - though comments from as recent as 2015 have alluded to releasing some of the music online eventually as well.
We Are Drugs is a studio EP by American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind. Preceded by the singles "Cop vs. Phone Girl" and "Company of Strangers", We Are Drugs was released on October 7, 2016.
"Cop vs. Phone Girl" is a song by American rock band Third Eye Blind from their second extended play, We Are Drugs (2016). It was released as the lead single from the extended play on July 25, 2016, by MegaForce Records. The song addresses the issues of racism and police brutality, specifically focusing on a 2015 incident at South Carolina's Spring Valley High School.
Thanks for Everything is an EP by Third Eye Blind. It consists of seven cover songs and was released on August 24, 2018.
Screamer is the sixth studio album by the American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind. It was released on October 18, 2019 by Mega Collider Records.
Bethany Sharayah Cosentino is an American singer and songwriter. She is best known as one half of the indie rock duo Best Coast alongside Bobb Bruno. Cosentino also cofounded the hypnagogic pop band Pocahaunted in 2006, before leaving in 2010. She released her solo debut album, Natural Disaster, in 2023.