Third Eye Blind: Red Star… Meh

There are some bands that will forever hold a place in my heart. Oft, these bands are some of my earliest secular musical rememberences, or my first delve into a new Genres.

Third Eye Blind, as mentioned a few posts ago, is one of these bands.

Third Eye Blind is amazing. Not only was their debut album an amazing smash hit, with chart topping singles all around, their sophomore album saw, if possible, better things. and Out Of The Vein? simply amazing. I’d say it’s one of the best albums I’ve ever heard.

But excuse me. I’m gushing.

What I came here to say today is that I will cut slack for some musicians. Slack I (admittedly) would probably not give others. Third Eye Blind is testing me on this, I think.

Once upon a time I had a couchsurfer who had a lot in common with me. Books. Movies. Hobbies. Music. But most gloriously, Third Eye Blind. You’d be surprised how hard it is to find left over Third Eye Blind junkies these days. But this lovely couchsurfer of mine pointed me to *gasp* a Third Eye Blind EP that I’d never heard of.

Red Star.

I was amazed. I was excited. I was shamed and had to serve penance to the Third Eye Blind Appreciator Society. But I did get my paws on this new Third Eye Blind.

Eh.

I’d love to say I love it. But I don’t think I do. The major song on it, ‘Non-Dairy Creamer’, is certainly catchy. I’ve been listening to it constantly. Catchy does not always equal good, however. While I like this song, I’m not going to say It’s good. I may even concede that the only reason I really enjoy it is because it’s Third Eye Blind. I have been wanting new material so badly.

The first track, Non-Dairy Creamer comes off too heavy handed…While trying to be tongue and cheek. It doesnt mix well. It blatantly calls ‘the man behind the pulpit a bigot and a liar’ in a fashion that is not playful. Later, it finds culprit in ‘two young gay republicans’ for the death of marriage. This part is obviously a joke. Then comes an epic chorus of ‘Young Gay Republicannnnns! Young Gay Republicans!’

Really? I get that Young Gay Republicans are supposed to be ironic in some fashion. But a rousing chorus of ‘Young Gay Republicans’ is neither witty nor ironic. It’s just odd.

I’m just gonna go ahead and say I don’t really get it. It’s like they’re trying to cram too much into a song, and in doing so the lyrical ability of the members (mostly Jenkins) got left behind somewhere.

But it’s still catchy as hell. and I still like it. Even though I know it’s not a good song.

But what about the other tracks on the album, you wisely ask? To be honest, I don’t really remember. I’ve listened to this three song EP many times, and all I can remember is Non-Dairy Creamer. The fact that neither of the other songs were memorable enough to recall makes me think they probably aren’t worth tracking down and listening to again.

Ursa Major, Third Eye Blind’s fourth full length studio album is due to come out at the end of the month. None of the songs on Red Star are slated to be on it. Let’s hope this is a sign of better things to come.

What to take away?

Red Star EP is only worth anything for Non-Dairy Creamer. Which is an odd song. But one you will most likely be unable to resist, if previous catchy Third Eye Blind songs tickled your fancy.

What to expect?

Not much, unfortunately.

What drink to pair it with?

Rolling Rock. I mean, it’s beer. And if you like beer, and you have nothing else at hand, you’ll drink it. And it is better than Pabst or Schlitz or something. Much like Red Star. Red Star is better than Schlitz.