Screamer (album)

Screamer is the sixth studio album by the American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind. It was released on October 18, 2019 by Mega Collider Records.

Screamer
Studio album by
Third Eye Blind
ReleasedOctober 18, 2019
Recorded2019
Length38:43
LabelMega Collider
Third Eye Blind chronology
Thanks for Everything
(2018)		 Screamer
(2019)
Singles from Screamer
  1. "Screamer"
    Released: July 25, 2019
  2. "Walk Like Kings"
    Released: September 13, 2019
  3. "The Kids Are Coming (To Take You Down)"
    Released: October 4, 2019
  4. "Ways"
    Released: April 22, 2020
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic49/100[1]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Exclaim!8/10[3]
Pitchfork6.9/10[4]
Vinyl Chapters[5]

Background

Frontman Stephan Jenkins had made many different comments about the prospect of the band recording a sixth studio album prior to the release of Screamer. As far back as 2012, Jenkins stated that the band would not ever make a sixth studio album, stating that after the release of their fifth studio album, 2015's, Dopamine, they would cease recording full albums in favor of touring and recording smaller EP releases.[6] In the coming years, the band would focus on EP releases, including We Are Drugs in 2016, a cancelled EP entitled Summer Gods that was supposed to explore trap music in 2017, and an EP of cover songs, Thanks for Everything, in 2018.[7][8] Jenkins' stance on recording an album wavered at times in this era, sometimes referring to Summer Gods as an album[9][10] and explaining that the recording of Thanks for Everything was to find inspiration for recording a future studio album.[11]

As late as November 2018, Jenkins was still referring to the release as an EP,[12] though by May 2019, Jenkins announced it had grown from an EP to a full 10 song studio album.[13] In July 2019, Jenkins announced that it had expanded into an 11-song album titled Screamer, scheduled for release on October 18, 2019.[14]

Writing and recording

Jenkins notes that the album features far more outside collaborations than prior Third Eye Blind albums, with the band adopting an "open door policy for various artists to contribute ideas to songs.[15] Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins was described as the album's "musical consigliere" (advisor).[16] The album's title track features Alexis Krauss of Sleigh Bells, "Who Am I" contains a contribution from Ryan Olson of Marijuana Deathsquads, and "Got So High" features a contribution from Poliça.[17] Jenkins stated the album's sound deviated from the sound of prior albums as well, aiming for a rougher, less polished sound and emphasizing a mantra of "Keep the edge, keep it weird".[18] Thematically, the albums explores the idea of personal revelation and passion in the face of an oncoming dystopia, being inspired by social and political activism of recent years.[18]

Release and promotion

The album was initially planned to be released prior to the band's North American tour with Jimmy Eat World in June 2019, but the album was stuck at only 90% complete at the time and was held back.[18] While the band was unable to promote the album itself on the tour, they still teased the album's upcoming release at live shows and debuted new songs live at various shows, including "Screamer", "The Kids Are Coming", and "Ways".[19] The studio recording of "Screamer" was released on July 25, 2019, the same day as the album's name and release date announcement.[20] The album will be one of ten grouped together in the "Ten Albums, One Cause" breast cancer awareness campaign, which involves it receiving a special pink vinyl release.[21]

A music video for the fourth single "Ways" was released on April 22, 2020[22] featuring skater and transgender icon Cher Strauberry.

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Screamer" (featuring Alexis Krauss)
2:58
2."The Kids Are Coming (To Take You Down)"
  • Jenkins
  • Alex Kopp
  • Kryz Reid
2:45
3."Ways"
  • Jenkins
  • Jackson Morgan
2:53
4."Tropic Scorpio"
  • Jenkins
  • CreeV
  • Kopp
3:12
5."Walk Like Kings"
  • Jenkins
  • CreeV
3:26
6."Turn Me On"
  • Jenkins
  • CreeV
4:05
7."Got So High"
  • Jenkins
  • Ari Inbger
3:29
8."Who Am I"
  • Jenkins
2:32
9."Light It Up"
3:48
10."2X Tigers"
3:49
11."Take a Side"
  • Jenkins
  • CreeV
2:53
12."Who Am I" (acoustic)
  • Jenkins
2:53
Total length:38:43

Personnel

Band

  • Stephan Jenkins – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Kryz Reid – lead guitar
  • Alex LeCavalier – bass guitar
  • Brad Hargreaves – drums
  • Colin CreeV – keyboards, guitar

References
  1. "Metacritic Review". Metacritic. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  2. Thomas Erlewine, Stephen. "AllMusic Review". AllMusic. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  3. Gray, Scott (October 16, 2019). "Exclaim! Review". Exclaim!. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  4. Rytlewski, Evan (October 18, 2019). "Third Eye Blind: Screamer Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  5. Parmenter, Jamie (October 24, 2019). "Third Eye Blind: Screamer - review". Vinyl Chapters. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  6. Stewart, Allison. "Third Eye Blind sees end of the album road". chicagotribune.com.
  7. "Third Eye Blind Details Upcoming 'Summer Gods' Project, With Tracks That 'Sound Like Atlanta Trap Music'". Billboard.
  8. "Know Your Edge Artist: Jimmy Eat World, Third Eye Blind, and Ra Ra Riot". WEDG-FM. June 19, 2019.
  9. Blanco, Xiomara. "Third Eye Blind celebrates eponymous debut album 20 years later". CNET.
  10. "Two Semi-Charmed Hours With Stephan Jenkins - March 29, 2017". SF Weekly. March 29, 2017.
  11. "Third Eye Blind Covers Bon Iver, Santigold & More on 'Thanks for Everything' EP: Stream It Now". Billboard.
  12. Baltin, Steve. "Third Eye Blind Frontman Stephan Jenkins On His Dream Supergroup, New Album And More". Forbes.
  13. "Interview". californiarocker.com. May 2, 2019. Retrieved 2019-07-27.
  14. "Third Eye Blind Announce New Album 'Screamer,' Release Title Track". July 25, 2019.
  15. "Third Eye Blind announces new album, "Screamer"; listen to title track now - Music News - ABC News Radio". abcnewsradioonline.com.
  16. Colburn, Randall. "Billy Corgan is the "musical consigliere" of Third Eye Blind's new album". News.
  17. "Third Eye Blind announce new album Screamer, share title track feat. Sleigh Bells' Alexis Krauss: Stream". July 25, 2019.
  18. "Third Eye Blind's new music won't have any 'smoothed-out edges' | TribLIVE.com". triblive.com.
  19. Sculley, Alan. "New album by Third Eye Blind featured in summer tour". The Bakersfield Californian.
  20. "Third Eye Blind Enlist Billy Corgan, Sleigh Bells, Poliça for New Album 'Screamer'". exclaim.ca.
  21. Shaffer, Claire (July 25, 2019). "John Prine, Third Eye Blind, Spiritualized Join 'Ten Bands One Cause' Vinyl Campaign".
  22. Cerio, Michael (April 22, 2020). "Watch Third Eye Blind Answer Fan Questions and Debut the Video for 'Ways'".
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