Dopamine
by Third Eye Blind
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
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  1. Rolling Stone
    Jun 16, 2015
    60
    Third Eye Blind frontman Stephan Jenkins still rocks the same springy sing-rap, and he's still got a knack for spinning sunshine out of moody tunes.
  2. AllMusic
    Jun 16, 2015
    60
    Even if Dopamine shows the scars of labor, that in itself is impressive, and it also emphasizes how, nearly 20 years into his career, Stephan Jenkins prefers to indulge in his idiosyncrasies and not polish them for reasons related to pop.
  3. Classic Rock Magazine
    Oct 28, 2015
    50
    The songs are wrought elaborately enough.... Yet this album seems carefully calibrated not to disappoint the conservative fan.
  5. Consequence
    Jun 16, 2015
    50
    early tracks contain all the stuff Jenkins excels at; hell, there’s even a kind of charm to cringe-worthy lines like, “Go ahead, take my heart up/ Roll it up like a joint.” Unfortunately, that charm wears off as the album drifts away from wistful pop rock and Jenkins visits some of his other, less enthralling ghosts.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 19
  3. Negative: 4 out of 19
  1. sanserif
    Jun 23, 2015
    9
    I feel like Third Eye Blind never gets a fair rap, so I'm compelled to write a review. Hopefully it can make a difference (probably not).I feel like Third Eye Blind never gets a fair rap, so I'm compelled to write a review. Hopefully it can make a difference (probably not).

    Admittedly, I've been a fan since 1997 so perhaps I'm a bit biased. But I think I can tell good music from bad music. Good music makes me feel good.

    On the first couple listens, I was actually disappointed with the album. It seemed very 'light' and the songs all sounded kind of similar. But it started to grow on me. I think at one point I realized what they were trying to do: Move away from 90s guitar rock and focus on creating great pop music. Kevin Cadogan, their first and best guitarist (who left or was kicked out, who knows really), was a crucial part of the early Third Eye Blind sound, and the past couple albums were very uneven in their attempts to imitate him and that huge, atmospheric guitar sound.

    So I think they realized there was no point trying to recreate that sound, and they went in another direction. More 80s, jangling guitar. More piano. It still sounds like Third Eye Blind, but it's got an interesting new tone to it. I hear bits of New Order, The Cure and even some Queen and Billy Joel. If you hate these artists, then okay maybe this won't be for you. But I think they're great.

    The band sounds refreshed and confident. Stephen Jenkins has always had a knack for great, simple pop songwriting and it's here and better than ever. It's a little different in sound from the rest of their albums, but the songs themselves are strong. They feel sincere and resonant. I really think this is their 2nd best album, on par with Blue. It's kind of like the disciplined, restrained, stripped down cousin to Blue's schizophrenic, experimental parade of weirdness. Enjoy it!    … Full Review »
  2. Jay9
    Jun 30, 2020
    10
    Classic TEB sound with a modern twist. Definitely worth listening if you are a Third Eye Blind fan.
  3. ayysuvi
    Jul 12, 2019
    7
    Even though I find 3EB's first albums to be the best ones, I still think this album has something special in it. The best song in my opinionEven though I find 3EB's first albums to be the best ones, I still think this album has something special in it. The best song in my opinion is Blade, and to me it sounds like a song that could have easily been in their second album. It could have been their best song to date, if it had been the work of Jenkins and Cadogan.… Full Review »
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