Record Rack

** Third Eye Blind, “Blue,” Elektra. For all the turmoil and confusion in its lyrics, San Francisco’s Third Eye Blind has managed to score hits (such as 1997’s “Semi-Charmed Life”) without revealing much of substance about itself. It could easily be mistaken for Live or Creed or Toad the Wet Sprocket. “Blue” (due Tuesday) is more, or less, of the same.

Its yearning, churning rock-pop still carries echoes from the grunge ‘90s. It’s pleasant, hard-rocking stuff that leaves no impression at all. “Blue” begins with the wistful “Anything,” a romantic rocker in the mold of earlier Third Eye Blind hits that offers nothing in the way of new musical ideas.

Things get better with the epic drama and psychedelia of “Camouflage.” But the only truly memorable track here is “The Red Summer Sun,” which takes an unexpectedly energetic turn as drummer Brad Hargreaves abruptly cranks up the tempo, guitarist Kevin Cadogan stamps on the wah-wah pedal and singer Stephan Jenkins does a fine Bon Scott impression. For a moment, the quartet actually kicks out the jams, suggesting that Third Eye Blind would be far more interesting as a metal band.

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Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent). The albums are already released unless otherwise noted.