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Ursa Major Image
Metascore
65

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

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 42 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).

Top Track

Bonfire
A little early in spring A bonfire ring
, she's shivering alone 
I bumped into you somehow You can wear, my duct-taped vest It's my party best,... See the rest of the song lyrics
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. Treat Ursa Major as an EP, forgetting the second half.
  3. Ursa Major isn't Third Eye Blind's crowning jewel, but it's a welcome return to form after such a lengthy hiatus
  4. 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.
  5. The formula is dependable and timeworn but ultimately successful, as Third Eye Blind follows the paint-by-numbers blueprint with stunning efficiency.
  6. 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.
  7. One can’t help wish for less social commentary, and more hands-in-the-air/ feet-in-the-moshpit bangers.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 23
  2. Negative: 1 out of 23
  1. TravisD.
    Aug 20, 2009
    10
    I have to say this is an amazing album. Its well worth the wait!
  2. Jmoneybrotha
    Aug 21, 2009
    10
    One of the biggest 3eb fans there is. After a critical couple of listens I am more than satisfied.
  3. Jul 6, 2019
    10
    ***Revised review nearly ten year later!*** First of all, let me tell you how mind blown I was to stumble across the video on youtube of Steve***Revised review nearly ten year later!*** First of all, let me tell you how mind blown I was to stumble across the video on youtube of Steve Jenkins reading the negative review (below) that I had written nearly a decade ago. First of all, I was twenty-five at that time and lacked some tact in the way in which I chose to speak about others. My words were unthoughtful, and I apologize.

    Secondly, this whole thing is ironic because I actually really enjoyed Ursa Major, but only really started listening to it about two years after I had written this "review". Matter of fact, Ursa Major is my third favorite album after the self titled and out of vein albums!

    I will say, I got a good laugh from the video. LMAO, thanks for the music TEB!

    Original review:
    This album sucked. Sorry to be frank but I don't own TEB anything. I loved their other albums but this one just sucked. Stephen needs to stop smoking and doing drugs and get cleaned up.
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  4. JamesG
    Aug 23, 2009
    9
    I bought this album in MP3 form from Amazon on it's day of release, and it's outstanding. I can't believe it has such a low I bought this album in MP3 form from Amazon on it's day of release, and it's outstanding. I can't believe it has such a low rating. It's been 2 or 3 days since I bought the album and I already catch myself humming or singing the lyrics. Expand
  5. DanielG
    Sep 2, 2009
    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 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
  6. Micah
    Aug 22, 2009
    8
    Huge fan, but I'll try not to be biased. Has some really great songs,- summertown, sharp knife, and a few others. I personally feel, Out Huge fan, but I'll try not to be biased. Has some really great songs,- summertown, sharp knife, and a few others. I personally feel, Out of the Vein was better than Blue, this album falls in between, where as the first album is still the best. they just can't repeat the greatness of the first album. Expand
  7. StuieM.
    Sep 10, 2009
    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 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