Ursa Major
by Third Eye Blind
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Slant Magazine
    60
    The formula is dependable and timeworn but ultimately successful, as Third Eye Blind follows the paint-by-numbers blueprint with stunning efficiency.
  2. Rolling Stone
    60
    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.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    58
    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.
  5. Rock Sound
    40
    One can’t help wish for less social commentary, and more hands-in-the-air/ feet-in-the-moshpit bangers.

Awards & Rankings

56
#56 Most Discussed Album of 2009

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 42 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 42
  3. Negative: 2 out of 42
  1. dan52484
    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.    … Full Review »
  2. 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.… Full Review »
  3. MS
    Sep 6, 2009
    9
    Like Blue and Out of the Vein I you need to listen to the album a couple times through. Top to bottom this is the best album they have put Like Blue and Out of the Vein I you need to listen to the album a couple times through. Top to bottom this is the best album they have put out. The bonus tracks are also good. I may be in the minority here but I love Why Can't you be with Kimya Dawson. Although Bonfire is great, its earlier version as campfire was better.… Full Review »
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