Dopamine
by Third Eye Blind
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
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  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).

    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    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!    … Expand
  2. SweGart
    Jun 17, 2015
    10
    10/10 if nothing else but for an artist that took time to write what he felt, ( even if YES cheezy sometimes) its VERY welcome, in an age where crap-tastic lyrics run rampant. I've spent a long time waiting for this album, and I feel like Jenkins delivered. The track "Something In You" is my first choice. 3EB thanks, God Bless.
  3. pitcherandy
    Jun 21, 2015
    7
    This album is 2 more good songs away from being a 9/10. It is better than what the national critics are saying. If you are a fan of 3eb, then you will like this record. "Get me out of here" and "say it" are A+ songs
  4. geedup
    Jul 12, 2015
    4
    Havn't listened to 3rd eye blind in years. Took a listen as I liked them back in the day. I give credit where credit is due, the singer sounds the same. The melodies are nice, but the album is boring. It sounds like the songs back in the day. San't say i'd listen again.
  5. StuckOnReviews
    Jun 17, 2015
    7
    Pretty good album it's one of the better 3EB albums, so songs aren't there completely as the others are. Take Rites of Passage for example it's lyrics are way off but the music is okay. This has no songs that could live up to Semi Charmed Life but Dopamine and Everything is Easy is the closest two songs.
    ESSENTIALS: DOPAMINE, EVERYTHING IS EASY, GET ME OUT OF HERE, SHIPBOARD COOK, and SAY IT.
  6. mdakid939
    Jun 17, 2015
    10
    Thoroughly enjoyed this album. A lot of hard-thought lyrics throughout and most of them matched the music perfectly. Jenkins has still got it. This better not be their last album. He still has a lot more to offer. Must listens are Everything is Easy, Shipboard Cook, Say It, and Exiles.
  7. chiefboiler23
    Jun 18, 2015
    8
    Quite easily their best album since Blue; which should be the case since it has been years in between each album. You can tell they went back to their roots with some of the 80's and 90's themed sounds and electric wane on the guitar solos. The lyrics aren't as strong as I would have hoped from Jenkins, but you can tell he put thought in to this album.
  8. BlanchardJBNZ
    Jul 26, 2015
    8
    Like all 3EB albums a few listens unveils the lyrics that sticks in your head and makes you smile, cringe and think. If this is the last album then they have put together a great body of work. Well worth a proper listen.
  9. 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 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.
  10. Jay9
    Jun 30, 2020
    10
    Classic TEB sound with a modern twist. Definitely worth listening if you are a Third Eye Blind fan.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. 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.
    Read full review
  2. 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.
    Read full review
  3. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    Jun 16, 2015
    80
    Dopamine isn't his best record, and it might be his worst, but for one of the slyest songwriters from the past two decades of pop, "worst" can still be pretty damn great.
    Read full review
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