J.J.'s Favorite CD EVER

And #1 is...

Third Eye Blind

This CD really earned its place at the top spot. I mean, literally earned it. I've only recently decided it's my favorite, and with reason. I have history with this one. Third Eye Blind's self-titled debut is the first CD I got that doesn't suck. I mean, back in my really young, foolish day, I owned Backstreet Boys shit, but this one... I think about it now, and I've had this CD for over eight years, and I've never gotten tired of it, and I don't know anyone with at least O.K. music tastes who doesn't love it. This was really a classic of the 90's rock music, and is one of the only post-grunge "must haves" of the decade. Eight years of constant listening, and I still will pop in this CD and listen to it beginning to end at least once a week.

First of all, this entire album is a paradox. A good load of the songs are rather cheerful musically, but a look at the lyrics to almost any song on the album is heartbreaking. The big radio single Semi-Charmed Life is a grea example. The song is often thought of as a feel-good song by people who don't know the lyrics are about drug addiction. This album manages to pull something lyrically that's almost impossible: have angsty, emotional lyrics on almost every song and never once get overly dramatic. It's all genuine, instead of some bands who have a few genuine songs, but are willing to write heartbreak songs by the formula as well. How's It Going To Be might be my favorite song EVER, and you get the feeling that he's really asking the question, and is one of the better break-up songs ever written.

The big thing about this album is how every song hooks you in with it's music, and the dynamic vocals of the two singers (lead Stephan Jenkins and the other guy) really make almost every song a classic in my book. Add deep lyrics and the fact that my mind is tired and I can't think of any more praise for this album, that marks the end of my top ten. I may edit this post another day with more detail. But probably not.

Best Tracks: Semi-Charmed Life, Jumper, How's It Going To Be, Good For You, Motorcycle Drive-By, God of Wine