Uncover Third Eye Blind’s Deep Cuts and Hidden Gems
A lot of people can probably name 3EB’s popular hits, but how many of you can name tracks from their full discography?
By bonneville on February 26, 2024
Introduction
Third Eye Blind, a popular alt-rock act from San Francisco, California, debuted in the early ’90s. By the time they released their first album, the band had achieved seemingly instant mainstream success, but it took four years of wins and losses before they finally scored a killer deal with Elektra Records. The lineup and record label have changed over the years, with some controversies spotting their history, but the band’s constant has always had Stephan Jenkins as the frontman.
Throughout their career, the most popular hits remain from their first two albums – 1997’s eponymous debut and 1999’s “Blue.” Still, the band has released nine studio albums since signing their first record deal, along with a handful of EPs, live and acoustic recordings, and compilations.
Naming a song from Out of the Vein
In August of last year, Jenkins made headlines when he refused to sign an autograph for a fan without naming a song from the 2003 album “Out of the Vein.” Most people likely can list off “Semi-Charmed Life,” “Jumper,” “How’s It Gonna Be,” and “Never Let You Go” from their first two albums, but how many people are familiar with “Blind” or know the story behind “My Hit and Run”?
Worry not! We review some of the band’s deep cuts from “Out of the Vein” and more. Now, if you want to get an autograph from Jenkins (especially after seeing them live at the Delta Center with Yellowcard), you can pass the authentic fan test. Hopefully, that will earn you a special signed copy of your memorabilia!
Deep cuts from their eponymous debut and “Blue”
Just about every track from their self-titled initial release in 1997, from start to finish, is a banger. But “Burning Man” and “God of Wine” stand out as notable tracks that have flown under the radar.
“Blue,” released in 1999, also has several hits most people can likely sing along to. But “1,000 July’s” stands out, using components from classic rock that give it a nostalgic feel.
Y2K releases and changes
Early in 2000, the band announced the departure of guitarist Kevin Cadogan under controversial circumstances. Further, Atlantic Records absorbed the band’s label Elektra Records, and the parent company, Warner Music Brothers, dropped the band after their 2003 release. The band kept pushing through, with Tony Fredianelli on guitar and Mega Collider Records signing their subsequent releases.
From this era, “Crystal Baller” and “My Hit and Run” stand out as notable tracks from “Out of the Vein.” The former song is a play on words with a crystal ball being a look into the future, while the latter song details Jenkin’s experience in a motorcycle accident when he nearly died. The album, in its entirety, deals with the emotional toil of post-breakup Jenkins, who had recently ended a three-year relationship with actor Charlize Theron.
“Bonfire,” from “Ursa Major,” showcases Jenkin’s storytelling virtuoso, telling a story about a girl he meets at a beach party who later moves away to pursue new things. “Slow Motion,” a track that only got the instrumental version released on “Blue,” was a controversial ballad about a student shooting. Jenkins insisted the song was satirical and ultimately anti-violent. He later released the version with lyrics on the 2006 compilation “A Collection” as the final track.
2010 – now: more tours, more albums, and “Unplugged”
Third Eye Blind has remained busy since 2010, releasing 5 more studio albums, a live album (from their Summer Gods tour in 2017), an acoustic album (“Unplugged,” 2022), and “The Third Eye Blind Collection” released in 2015.
“Queen of Daydreams” from the 2016 release of “We Are Drugs” is an understated melody with a simple structure that begins to feel like a daydream, as the song suggests. From the album “Screamer,” released in 2019, “Ways” and “Walk Like Kings” stand out as notable tracks that didn’t get much airtime, while “Everything is Easy” from 2015’s “Dopamine” sounds like a track straight from The Cure. Tracks like these showcase how effortlessly the band can take elements from pop music and give them a moody signature that only Jenkins’ vocals and lyrics can capture.
Jenkins also has a couple of notable covers. From Beyonce’s “Mine,” Jenkins covers both her and Drake’s verses, making it a punk diatribe with even more angst than the original. “Funeral Singers,” originally written by Sylvan Esso with Colonies of Bees, appeared on the bands’ 2021 album “Our Bande Apart,” released to modest reviews.
Conclusion
While artists and industry heads follow Billboard charts to gauge a song’s success, fans can get more out of music by looking deeper into a musician or band’s discography and listening to their lesser-known tracks. It is not uncommon for hidden gems to emerge over time and inspire a listener to dance or scream and let their emotions out. Feeling the energy in an old song can bring a new perspective, and we hope these lesser-celebrated tracks from 3EB evoke the nostalgia of the ’90s they have a grip on, with all its ups and downs.
Related articles:
