Third Eye Blind (album)

Last updated

Third Eye Blind
Third eye blind self titled.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedApril 8, 1997 (1997-04-08)
StudioToast, Skywalker Ranch, H.O.S. (San Francisco)
Genre
Length57:40
Label Elektra
Producer
Third Eye Blind chronology
Third Eye Blind
(1997)
Blue
(1999)
Singles from Third Eye Blind
  1. "Semi-Charmed Life"
    Released: February 18, 1997 [1]
  2. "Graduate"
    Released: July 15, 1997 [2]
  3. "How's It Going to Be"
    Released: October 20, 1997 [3]
  4. "Losing a Whole Year"
    Released: December 15, 1997 [4]
  5. "Jumper"
    Released: August 4, 1998

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".

Contents

Music and lyrics

The central theme of Third Eye Blind is loss, with the album exploring subjects such as suicide, crystal methamphetamine addiction, and sexual abuse. [5] [6] "Semi-Charmed Life", an alternative rock song composed with a rap-influenced singing style, was one of the first songs recorded for the album. The song focuses on a crystal methamphetamine addiction, although Jenkins contends that it more broadly relates to changing periods in one's life. [7]

Title and artwork

When developing a band name and a title for their debut record, Jenkins sought a name with "wit and a sense of punk-rock irony". [8] The name "Third Eye Blind" is meant to refer to a metaphysical third eye; however, the band also intended to satirize the concept. [8] Alli and Ro-Starr were responsible for the album's art direction, with the latter also crafting the band's "falling man" logo. Kate Garner was responsible for the album's photography, with the exclusion of the album cover which was shot by Christine Alicino on December 16, 1996, in San Francisco, California. [9] The shot features model Shandra Boatwright, eyes closed with her mouth wide open, as her and Jenkins' hands are placed on her forehead. Alicino commented that she was hired to "photograph a young woman with an expressive mouth in my edgy polaroid style". [9] In order to achieve this expressive appearance, Boatwright wore bright red lipstick and dark eyeliner. [9]

The first pressing of Third Eye Blind in the United States featured a sepia-toned album cover with a red band logo. This pressing was limited to approximately 500,000 copies in the country. However, it was still employed in the United Kingdom and other European nations. The second pressing of the album featured these colors reverted, with a red-toned cover and yellow band logo. In Japan, the album was released with a cyan, negative photo cover. [10] The 20th anniversary edition of the album features a black-toned version of the cover. [11]

In April 2022, Jenkins stated on Twitter that the sepia-toned cover is "how [the artwork is] supposed to be," although the artwork was changed to a red-tone due to Elektra Records finding the latter to be "more flashy." [12]

Documentary

In December 2019, a 22-minute documentary short film titled Motorcycle Drive By was announced on Third Eye Blind's Twitter page. [13] The documentary is directed by David Wexler and focuses on the backstory of the song of same name. [14] The documentary was originally planned to premiere on April 17, 2020, at the 19th Tribeca Film Festival, although the film festival was indefinitely postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [15] The documentary was then released on May 29, 2020, on YouTube as part of the We Are One: A Global Film Festival. [16]

Touring

Third Eye Blind performed across the United States alongside Eve 6 on MTV's Campus Invasion tour. [17] The band also performed as an opening act for the Rolling Stones and U2 on their respective tours. [18] The band performed the album in its entirety during the first Summer Gods Tour in 2017. [19]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [20]
Christgau's Consumer Guide Rating-Christgau-neither.png [21]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [22]
Entertainment Weekly B [23]
Pitchfork 8.3/10 [24]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [25]

Critical reception to Third Eye Blind was generally positive. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic described Third Eye Blind as "easy on the ears," stating that "its straight-ahead professionalism makes it a pleasurable listen for post-grungers". [20] David Grad of Entertainment Weekly described the album as "balancing a cheery ear for harmonies with a finely honed sense of despair". [23]

Third Eye Blind was a sleeper hit, entering the Billboard album charts at number 135 and then peaking at number 25 nearly a year after release. [26] The album spent a total of 106 weeks on the chart, and was certified 6x platinum by the RIAA in August 2001. [27] [28] As of April 2017, Third Eye Blind has sold over 6 million units in the U.S., selling approximately 84,000 units in its best week. [29] [30] The album remains as Third Eye Blind's most successful release, accounting for the plurality of their career sales. [31]

Legacy

In 2017, the band reissued the album to celebrate its 20th anniversary, which includes three rerecorded versions of their initial unreleased songs "Alright Caroline", "Scattered", and "Tattoo Of The Sun", and five demos. [32]

In 2022, Avril Lavigne cited the album as one of the biggest influences in her music career. [33]

Track listing

Standard edition

All tracks are written by Stephan Jenkins and Kevin Cadogan, except where noted.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Losing a Whole Year" 3:20
2."Narcolepsy" 3:48
3."Semi-Charmed Life"Jenkins4:28
4."Jumper"Jenkins4:32
5."Graduate" 3:09
6."How's It Going to Be" 4:13
7."Thanks a Lot" 4:57
8."Burning Man" 2:59
9."Good for You" 3:52
10."London" 3:07
11."I Want You"Jenkins4:29
12."The Background" 4:56
13."Motorcycle Drive By"Jenkins4:22
14."God of Wine" 5:17
Total length:57:29
Third Eye Blind– Japanese edition (bonus track) [34]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
15."Tattoo of the Sun"
  • Jenkins
  • Cadogan
  • Arion Salazar
4:16
Total length:61:45

20th Anniversary edition

Third Eye Blind– 20th Anniversary edition (bonus disc) [35]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Alright Caroline" (2016 recording)Jenkins4:50
2."Scattered" (2016 recording)Jenkins3:17
3."Slow Motion" (demo)Jenkins4:36
4."Semi-Charmed Life" (demo)Jenkins4:19
5."A Kiss Goodnight" (demo)
  • Jenkins
  • Cadogan
3:14
6."Scattered" (demo)Jenkins3:16
7."Heroin" (demo) Lou Reed 4:44
8."Tattoo of the Sun" (2017 version)Jenkins4:30
Total length:32:46

Personnel

Third Eye Blind

Additional musicians

Production

Design

Charts

Certifications and sales

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [44] Platinum100,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ) [45] Gold7,500^
United States (RIAA) [46] 6× Platinum6,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release formats for Third Eye Blind
RegionDateEdition(s)Format(s)LabelRef.
United StatesApril 8, 1997Standard Elektra [47]
JapanMay 25, 1997CD [47]
United KingdomJuly 14, 1997
  • CD
  • LP
[47]
WorldwideJune 9, 201720th Anniversary Rhino [48]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Third Eye Blind</span> American rock band

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephan Jenkins</span> American musician (born 1964)

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 (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.

<i>Blue</i> (Third Eye Blind album) 1999 studio album by Third Eye Blind

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.

<i>Out of the Vein</i> 2003 studio album by Third Eye Blind

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.

Kevin Rene Cadogan is an American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and guitarist. A founding member of the band Third Eye Blind, he performed with the band from 1993 to 2000. He co-wrote some of Third Eye Blind's most notable hits, including "How's It Going to Be", "Losing a Whole Year", and "Graduate", ten of the fourteen songs on their debut album Third Eye Blind as well as six of the thirteen tracks on his final collaboration with the band in their second album Blue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Semi-Charmed Life</span> 1997 single by Third Eye Blind

"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.

<i>A Collection</i> (Third Eye Blind album) 2006 greatest hits album by Third Eye Blind

A Collection is a greatest hits album by Third Eye Blind, released July 18, 2006. The album contains all of their singles, a handful of fan and band favorites, as well as three unreleased-via-LP songs: "Tattoo of the Sun", "My Time in Exile" and "Slow Motion". The package also includes liner notes from renowned rock writer James Hunter and track-by-track commentary from Stephan Jenkins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jumper (Third Eye Blind song)</span> 1998 single by Third Eye Blind

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">How's It Going to Be</span> 1997 single by Third Eye Blind

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Never Let You Go (Third Eye Blind song)</span> 2000 single by Third Eye Blind

"Never Let You Go" is a song by American rock band Third Eye Blind. It was released on January 4, 2000, as the second single from their second album, Blue. The song peaked at number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and spent three weeks at number one in Canada. It also reached number 26 in Iceland, number 15 in New Zealand, and number six on the UK Rock Chart.

"Anything" is a song by American rock band Third Eye Blind from their second studio album, Blue (1999). It was released to radio as the lead single from the album on November 2, 1999, by Elektra Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Graduate (song)</span> 1997 single by Third Eye Blind

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Losing a Whole Year</span> 1997 single by Third Eye Blind

"Losing a Whole Year" is a song by American rock band Third Eye Blind from their eponymous debut studio album (1997). Elektra Records released the song in Japan as the album's second single on December 15, 1997, and in the United States on February 23, 1998, as the fourth single from the album. The song was written by frontman Stephan Jenkins and guitarist Kevin Cadogan, while production was helmed by Jenkins and Eric Valentine. According to Jenkins, the song is about lamentation due to the end of a relationship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deep Inside of You</span> 2000 single by Third Eye Blind

"Deep Inside of You" is a song by American rock band Third Eye Blind from their second studio album, Blue (1999). It was released as the fourth and final single from the album on July 10, 2000, by Elektra Records. According to frontman Stephan Jenkins, the song is about "suicidal tendencies". The song received positive reviews from music critics. The song peaked at number 69 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blinded (song)</span> 2003 single by Third Eye Blind

"Blinded" (also known as "Blinded (When I See You)") is a song by American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind. It was released in April 2003 as the lead single from their 2003 album, Out of the Vein. It was written by Stephan Jenkins, Arion Salazar, and Tony Fredianelli. The song received positive reviews from music critics and peaked at number 34 on the Billboard Pop Songs chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Third Eye Blind discography</span>

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.

<i>Ursa Major</i> (Third Eye Blind album) 2009 studio album by Third Eye Blind

Ursa Major is the fourth studio album by American rock band Third Eye Blind. Released on August 18, 2009, on the group's own Mega Collider label, Ursa Major was the group's first studio album in over six years. The first single from the album was "Don't Believe a Word", which debuted on the radio June 5, 2009.

<i>Dopamine</i> (Third Eye Blind album) 2015 studio album by Third Eye Blind

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cop vs. Phone Girl</span> 2016 single by Third Eye Blind

"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.

<i>Screamer</i> (album) 2019 studio album by Third Eye Blind

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.

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