Signed to a major label and sweeping into the US Top Ten with their first single (the overplayed "Semi-Charmed Life"), this Bay Area band were ripe targets for those snipers in the alternative rock world who complain about bands not paying their dues. The truth is that 1) 3EB (as their merchandise proclaims them) probably never imagined a hit of that size and 2) it's not one of the best songs on their debut album. Their melange of Smashing Pumpkins, The Edge-style guitar and collegiate hip-hop yields much better results with the piercing tones of "Graduate" and the lyrical playing style evident in most of their songs. Far from being just hype, 3EB have actually produced a better-than-average record for the American alternative rock market with very few weak moments. --Tim Perry