“Earmuffs!” Remember hearing that when adult things were said? I know I do… except when it came to music. My parents let me listen to most anything, including Third Eye Blind’s self-titled album. The album isn’t blatantly inappropriate, but it’s an album better heard than listened to as a child. What I mean by that is the album isn’t all butterflies and rainbows. It’s full of emotional detours. Love, drugs (love of drugs) and demons creep through the lyrics. As a child, I didn’t pay attention to the actual messages. I didn’t care. I’d sing along, having no idea what was coming out of my mouth. Listening to the album 15 years after its release incites an entirely different experience.
“Semi-Charmed Life”
This jolly old tune- pause. Just pause. Did Stephan Jenkins just say, “She goes down on me”? *gasp! In between catchy do do doos and little, red panties, he’s talking about drugs: “I want something else to get me through this semi-charmed kind of life.” This upbeat, radio-friendly (once edited) song surely sounded a lot different when I was singing along in my car seat.
“How’s It Gonna Be”
Emotionally charged. “How’s It Gonna Be” asks tough questions that come with growing older and growing apart: “Is there anything I’m gonna miss?/How’s it gonna be when you don’t know me?” The accompanying acoustics make this an easy listen, but they don’t make the questions any easier to ponder.
“Good For You”
Contrary to what the title may insinuate, Jenkins isn’t telling someone to go screw himself. He’s actually singing to someone he deeply cares about. It’s sweet. “All I wanna do is be there for the things that you’re going through/Well is it good for you? Is it good for you?” I love the sincerity, making this my favorite track on the album.
“Graduate”
As a collegiette™, I definitely relate to this one. Jenkins constantly asks, “Can I graduate?!” I think I’m a little more certain of myself, but graduation is still on my mind. With that said, I should probably spend less time in line for Starbucks and more time in the actual library, but eh- those Vanilla Bean Fraps are just too good!