Two albums that should have been better...

I was recently asked by a friend why the new Third Eye Blind album was conspicuously absent from my recent posts.  I own it:  I bought it from Amazon right when it came out for something ridiculous like $3.99, and unfortunately I think I pretty much got my money's worth.  Paraphrasing the words of my undergraduate music composition professor, "I listened to the album, but didn't feel the need to do so again.  I got everything I needed from the album on the first pass: there was nothing that drew me in for a second listen."  And that's being a bit kind.

I had similar feelings for Imogen Heap's (much anticipated) "Ellipse" - which has about three tracks that I find remotely interesting: First Train Home, Wait It Out, and Earth; and at least one that absolutely does not appeal to me (Little Bird).  With hopes set high, I purchased the deluxe version of this album, which included instrumental-only versions of all the tracks.  I hope that some day I use at least one of these instruments in a remix, else I fear my $13.99 was dreadfully misspent.

Interestingly, both these lack-lustre albums are fourth releases for each of the artists.  Third Eye Blind: Third Eye Blind (1997), Blue (1999), Out of the Vein (2003), and Ursa Major (2009).  Imogen Heap:  I Megaphone (1998), Details (2002), Speak for Yourself (2005), Ellipse (2009) -- and I know that I'm cheating here slightly by including Details, but it's still her.  More interesting yet, the popularity of their respective discographies took markedly different paths.  TEB opened strong, with an album that continues to sell singles to this day; put out the quintessential sophomore release; got it back together for Out of the Vein (though they only got one or two singles off this album), and then fell face first with album #4.  Imogen Heap had a slow start with I Megaphone, but then put out two powerhouse albums within three years!  ...and then put out Ellipse, after all sorts of hype concerning her new studio and the time she took to write and produce the album.

Sad face.