Ursa Major - Third Eye Blind
Ursa Major Image
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critics What's this?

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 38 Ratings

  • Summary: The fourth album for the alternative rock band from San Francisco is its first album since being dropped by Atlantic Records (which had taken over Elektra's roster of bands).
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 7
  2. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Jenkins instead comes on like he never left the scene. In fact, with its pulsating rhythms and crisp guitar fuzz, the new record actually does a better job of extending the band's early work than did its lukewarm previous effort, "Out of the Vein."
  2. The formula is dependable and timeworn but ultimately successful, as Third Eye Blind follows the paint-by-numbers blueprint with stunning efficiency.
  3. Dotted with spry little riffs and Jenkins' pseudo raps, Ursa Major is a slick but heartfelt disc that packs pleasure even if you're not Nineties-nostalgic.
  4. Third Eye Blind's fourth album and first since 2003--shows that frontman Stephan Jenkins' way with a hook has dimmed little since the band's mid-'90s heyday. The clunky lyrics are another thing.

See all 7 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 23
  2. Negative: 2 out of 23
  1. joshp
    10
    I think the album is probably just as good as their debut album. They keep the same style in terms of their music but branch out and try a wide range of instrumentals. An perfect example is the rap portion at the end of summer town. I personally love it. The most i love about this album though is they kept one particular technique they use in alot of their songs and that is they start the song out slow and then build it up and just rock it out! My favorite from the album would have to be water landing. Expand
  2. DanielG
    8
    After half a dozen spins I must say this album comes quite close to their debut album. I am not 90's starved and even though I do own their first and greatest hits album I am neither a diehard fan nor a diehard critic of the band I just enjoy good music. Overall this album feels energetic and fun... great hooks and I must say I do like the lyrics. You could put any band's name in front of this album and I would say it is a great album. Tracks 1, 3 and 10 are specially outstanding. Expand
  3. BrianM
    7
    I am definitely one of the biggest 3EB fans there is... and although I love the album, I am a bit disappointed. Being such a big fan, I have sought out every song 3EB has ever recorded. Many of the songs off this latest album were played at live shows for years. I find myself liking those other versions better. The lyrics have changed and, IMHO, have gotten a bit weaker. YouTube versions of Summertown (without the dreaded rap at the end) are better than the one on the album (sound quality aside). Other versions of "Don't Believe a Word" are also better than the one included on the final cut. I was never disappointed with Blue or Out of the Vein. They stayed on high rotation for years. But as much as I am thrilled to have a new album, I feel like they didn't really include the best material. The closest comparison I can give is between the original version of Blinded and the final cut used on Out of the Vein. The final cut was far weaker lyrically and, in my opinion, musically. It seems like the band second guesses themselves too much... or that Stephan keeps re-tweaking the lyrics to the point that they are eventually stripped of some of their most powerful elements. It's George Lucas syndrome all over again. Don't get me wrong, I still love and support the band but this effort could have been a 10. I give it a 7 for too much tweaking. Expand
  4. StuieM.
    3
    I was a fan ever since the first album and I loved every album they ever made which included Out Of The Vein. This album has a couple good songs. I was so pumped after Red Star EP then this album really let me down. "Don't Believe A Word is" is a terrible song to be a single. Overall not to good. Expand

See all 23 User Reviews