4 posts tagged “alt_rock”
Blue October, Foiled Rating=$$$$
[Support the Artist]
How I Got This CD: Bought wicked cheap from Amazon.
Note: To stream the sample tracks, click on the thumbnail image in this post.
Continued from previous Blue October posts: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.
I easily enjoyed this solid CD from Blue October. It's certainly more even than, say, History for Sale, but doesn't show the genius of the live album Argue With A Tree or the originally of Consent to Treatment. Although there is an advisory on this album (as well as enhanced features that spin up if you slip this into the computer), the lyrics and language are nowhere near as trigger-y or as explicit as what you'd find on their earlier stuff. If anything, Foiled is probably the most mainstream album this band has ever put out.
But then again, this is Blue October. When I say "mainstream," I mean, "relatively speaking." There is the usual whiplash you get with this band as they stray from one musical style to the next, although the sharp breaks in style aren't quite as violent and most of the music is more introspective than angry. One thing that is somewhat shocking is that much of the tunes on this album bear striking similarities to other bands and solo artists — although there seems to be a lot of cross-genre going on, so it isn't like the band sounds like a Peter Gabriel or a techno band from the early 90s all the time.
The sound mix on this CD is excellent, with often subtle aural gems lurking in the background that range from gospel singers to crowd cheers. However, Ryan Delahoussaye distinctive violin is sorely missed on this album. Oh, he's there. It's just not nearly as prominent as it has been in the past.
All streamed MP3s strike me as worksafe and lacking in triggers. I highly recommend all four. 'Let It Go' has a vaguely Peter Gabriel feel about it, aided immensely by Delahoussaye's violin at the beginning. 'Congratulations' with Imogen Heap providing the female vocals reminds me quite a bit of Toad the Wet Sprocket. 'X Amount of Words' sounds like just a techno-beat song right out of the '90s. 'Everlasting Friend' is a mellow little tune that sounds a little bit more like the Blue October I know and love
[Support the Artist]
How I Got This CD: Bought wicked cheap from Amazon.
Note: To stream the sample tracks, click on the thumbnail image in this post.
Continued from previous Blue October posts: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.
I easily enjoyed this solid CD from Blue October. It's certainly more even than, say, History for Sale, but doesn't show the genius of the live album Argue With A Tree or the originally of Consent to Treatment. Although there is an advisory on this album (as well as enhanced features that spin up if you slip this into the computer), the lyrics and language are nowhere near as trigger-y or as explicit as what you'd find on their earlier stuff. If anything, Foiled is probably the most mainstream album this band has ever put out.
But then again, this is Blue October. When I say "mainstream," I mean, "relatively speaking." There is the usual whiplash you get with this band as they stray from one musical style to the next, although the sharp breaks in style aren't quite as violent and most of the music is more introspective than angry. One thing that is somewhat shocking is that much of the tunes on this album bear striking similarities to other bands and solo artists — although there seems to be a lot of cross-genre going on, so it isn't like the band sounds like a Peter Gabriel or a techno band from the early 90s all the time.
The sound mix on this CD is excellent, with often subtle aural gems lurking in the background that range from gospel singers to crowd cheers. However, Ryan Delahoussaye distinctive violin is sorely missed on this album. Oh, he's there. It's just not nearly as prominent as it has been in the past.
All streamed MP3s strike me as worksafe and lacking in triggers. I highly recommend all four. 'Let It Go' has a vaguely Peter Gabriel feel about it, aided immensely by Delahoussaye's violin at the beginning. 'Congratulations' with Imogen Heap providing the female vocals reminds me quite a bit of Toad the Wet Sprocket. 'X Amount of Words' sounds like just a techno-beat song right out of the '90s. 'Everlasting Friend' is a mellow little tune that sounds a little bit more like the Blue October I know and love
History for Sale Rating=$$$
[Support the Artist]
How I Got This CD: Bought used on Amazon almost a year-and-a-half ago.
Note: To stream the sample tracks, click on the thumbnail image in this post.
Continued from previous Blue October posts: Part 1 and Part 2.
If History for Sale suffers from anything, it suffers from MPD. One track may be raw, angry, and deeply personal, like 'Razorblade.' The next may be fluffy, Top 40-friendly head-nodding pop fare like 'Calling You.' The aural whiplash can be a a trip-and-a-half if you're not prepared for it. Despite that, though, I do like the CD, but more for its parts than its whole.
Warning: 'Razorblade' isn't just NWS, there may be triggers for people hidden in them thar lyrics. We're talking cutting, rape, incest, and religion-based abuse. Unfortunately, there's no comfort for this hurt. The best that can be done is the primal scream where the minister and uncle in the song is refused forgiveness and called "a sick fuck."
The real standout on this CD: 'Somebody' is a furious anthem that — depending on my mood — could be about an imploding relationship or it could be about someone screwing up his life by making the same mistakes over and over again.
'Calling You,' like I said, was used on the American Wedding soundtrack and received some radio airplay. It's a sweet little poppy tune. It's even, dare I say, conventionally romantic. Considering this is Blue October, that's nothing short of a freakin' miracle. 'A Quiet Mind' is probably my least favorite track among all these MP3s. The only thing it really has going for it is the disconnect between tune and lyrics. It sounds like another sweet love song, but it's really an anthem of co-dependency
[Support the Artist]
How I Got This CD: Bought used on Amazon almost a year-and-a-half ago.
Note: To stream the sample tracks, click on the thumbnail image in this post.
Continued from previous Blue October posts: Part 1 and Part 2.
If History for Sale suffers from anything, it suffers from MPD. One track may be raw, angry, and deeply personal, like 'Razorblade.' The next may be fluffy, Top 40-friendly head-nodding pop fare like 'Calling You.' The aural whiplash can be a a trip-and-a-half if you're not prepared for it. Despite that, though, I do like the CD, but more for its parts than its whole.
Warning: 'Razorblade' isn't just NWS, there may be triggers for people hidden in them thar lyrics. We're talking cutting, rape, incest, and religion-based abuse. Unfortunately, there's no comfort for this hurt. The best that can be done is the primal scream where the minister and uncle in the song is refused forgiveness and called "a sick fuck."
The real standout on this CD: 'Somebody' is a furious anthem that — depending on my mood — could be about an imploding relationship or it could be about someone screwing up his life by making the same mistakes over and over again.
'Calling You,' like I said, was used on the American Wedding soundtrack and received some radio airplay. It's a sweet little poppy tune. It's even, dare I say, conventionally romantic. Considering this is Blue October, that's nothing short of a freakin' miracle. 'A Quiet Mind' is probably my least favorite track among all these MP3s. The only thing it really has going for it is the disconnect between tune and lyrics. It sounds like another sweet love song, but it's really an anthem of co-dependency
Consent to Treatment Rating=$$$$
[Support the Artist]
How I Got This CD: Bought used on Amazon almost a year-and-a-half ago.
Note: To stream the sample tracks, click on the thumbnail image in this post.
Continued from previous Blue October post.
Of all the band's CDs listed here, this one is the most slickly produced. In addition, unlike the other CDs, Consent to Treatment doesn't carry any parental warnings, so it's pretty safe to buy it as is (I always go with what the artist inteded myself, so parental advisory warnings for me!). The flow of the tracks works very well here, even if the singing and the lyrics tend toward the self-conscious side.
Don't get me wrong, Consent to Treatment is a terrific CD and well-worth the investment. It's just that it suffers by comparison with Argue With a Tree with its live-in-concert energy. The other issue is that Delahoussaye's violin work, which is a big part of Blue October's distinctive sound, isn't quite as prominent as I'd like it. It's sort of like yelling, "More cowbell!" when the music you've got is pretty damn good.
Just the same, I picked samples where the violin was more prominent.
Blue October, Argue With A Tree Rating=$$$$$
[Support the Artist]
How I Got This CD: Bought used on Amazon almost a year-and-a-half ago.
Note: To stream the sample tracks, click on the thumbnail image in this post.
I swear to God that Blue October is one of those bands that had been hovering on the edge of break-out status since they released Consent to Treatment 6 years ago. Lord knows I started hearing chatter about them after they released History for Sale 3 years ago. I finally gave up and invested in the band's Universal releases after seeing them perform live through the magic of Music Choice on Cable. Yeah. I was that impressed.
Yet, for all the awesome in two solid studio albums — Consent to Treatment and History for Sale — and a fantastic double-CD live album in Argue With a Tree, they've managed to completely fly under the radar.
Until now.
Blue October probably first got widespread attention when "Calling You" from History for Sale was featured on the American Wedding soundtrack. However, it seemed the band sunk below the waves shortly thereafter. The only follow-up was their live album, Argue with a Tree, in 2004. It was an awesome treat for people who were already fans of the band, but didn't really build on the slight momentum they'd gotten with "Calling You."
Now comes Foiled, which is shaping up to the be the band's big breakout. Foiled (which is not included here because I'm still waiting on Amazon) has already gone Certified Gold and its first single, "Hate Me," has reached number two on the Billboard Modern Rock charts. A second single, "Into the Ocean," is slowly climbing up the same chart. Other singles have been released and have been popping up on different radio stations all across the U.S.
In short, a whole lot of people have finally discovered this band.
*sniff* I remember going through this with REM *sniff*
I should maybe put in a warning or two here. Some of the subject matter may be considered "triggers" for some of you or may contain language that is NWS. What little I've read on the band seems to indicate lead singer and band songwriter Justin Furstenfeld is mentally ill and has recently kicked a drug habit. After spending some time listening to the lyrics on many of these songs...I believe it.
Warnings for any triggers and NWS language can be found on the individual sample tracks.
Like I said above, watching their live performance on Music Choice convinced me to throw some financial love Blue October's way. This CD convinced me that I was not wrong to do so. The organic live performance on this 25-track double CD adds more fuel to Furstenfeld's raw, emotional lyrics. The band's musicianship is tight, while being flexible enough to accommodate the enthusiastic crowd. Furstenfeld's voice is in fine form as his vocal work vacillates between melodic and furious snarling. Best of all, however, the talents of rock violinist Ryan Delahoussaye receives the spotlight it deserves. If you're looking for an energizing and electric performance that offers splashes of some deeply personal and moving moments, you simply can't go wrong putting this in the CD player.
