2006 wasn’t so long ago though it seems an eternity. That was the years I discovered a band out of Austin Texas called Blue October. The song “Hate Me” was on the radio a bit on a local alt station and I found the vocalists tone contagious and the angry lyrics captivating. It was the first album I had purchased in years and it jump started my musical interest again. I go through drought periods where I just hate music. This brought me back in 2006 and I haven’t stopped since.
“You Make Me Smile”- with the soft echo in the back ground this song has always sent forth more lonely than loving tone. Vocalist Justin Furstenfeld’s word play “calls you a puppy”, is a passive aggressive romp into a warped mans mind. Musically there isn’t joy just a vacant hollow moody rock beat. Confusing the listener if this is a love song or a loathe song. “my word they pour like children to the playground”
“Congratulations”, another sad but honest song of a man saying goodbye to a love that has just married another man. Furstenfeld's entire shtick is one of getting left behind. He’s the king of Danny Downers and self loathing. We have all felt this way. “You seem to be as happy as you’ve ever been, my chance at being open is broken and now you’re Mrs. Him”. He missed his chance, he’s pretty damn bummed too.
“Drilled A Wire Through My Cheek”. The bass in this is sick. Listen in headphones and your eyes will flutter and the balance shifts. Again Justin does that sexy whisper backup. Of course in this song he is a puppet. “Drill it Drill it so hard I feel it” Drill and feel only rhyme when you’re a Texan. This tune is all about self loathing, are we sure he’s not a Brit?
“18th Floor Balcony” is a song that every girl wants sung to her. Of course this is Justin who is very in touch with his feminine side. It’s a peaceful everything is going to be ok sort of song. It’s beautiful and for a brief moment you actually think this guy is going to be happy.. won’t last .. this is Blue October they’re doomed.
“Sound of Pulling Heaven Down”. THIS is theist song on the album . The soft intro leading to the bass drum ushering in the lyrics is outstanding. This time Justin takes on a new backup vocals and finally there is some depth. “I’m reaching farther than I have before leaving all who broke your heart upon the shore. I may be some sort of crazy’. Indeed. “Spooky people bring you down, the world is ending there’s a party at the bay’. The visuals these lyrics provide are outstanding. “I wanna show you just how fascinating kissing is”
“X Amount of Words”- Justin is back in his ‘solar bi polar panic disorder’ But that 70s disco beat is outrageously contagious. The cool thing about Blue October is there is no hiding. Even when I spoke to the band years ago there was no doubt. These lyrics are Justin Furstenfelds therapy homework. His friend provide the background music. That’s that, and this song is fantastic.
“What If We Could” I freakin LOVE the breathing in the beginning on this one. ‘2, 3, 4…’ I’m glad to say that we met, but I’m sorry that the circumstances weren’t on our side’ Another opportunity for Justin to lose at love, are you sensing a pattern? Go to a BO show and you’ll see hundreds of woman who want to save this man. He is the shelter puppy who needs adoption. The issue really is he is so very unbalanced that he can be scary at times, that adds to his appeal. He is angry, he is scared and he is confused. He battles his internal demons as much as his pen flows greatness. I honestly believe he will be remembered as one of the great writers of modern music.
“Overweight”- “your life is like a dream without the pain of goodbye”, this gets a bit anthemic. This is white boy swag ‘no one’s around so I keep eating it’, ‘I’m really sick of saying sorry but I will”
“Hate Me”, Justin’s mother isn’t dead. Let’s just get that out there now. The song begins with her checking his meds on his answering machine and leads into a knock down drag out song of unworthy. This was a big hit for Blue October. Got them on the map, got my attention. “hate me today, hate me tomorrow hate me for all the things I didn’t do for you’. The man sings to the woman who got him over his worse days and finally had enough. She dumped him. He got a hit song. “While I was busy raging war on myself you were trying to stop the fight’, thanks for the memories.
“Everlasting Friend”, another person who tried and failed to help the narrator survive. So many people have intervened to help and so many have failed. He’s grateful but hopeless. With lines like “please take the message that you’ve taught me how to live at last’, we know darn well that the manic is not gone.
“Into The Ocean”, all this mental illness leads to this. The suicide song. “ I want to swim away but don’t know how” With happy peppy sing along vibes it hides the fact that Furstenfeld is done. He wants it over and he wants to take the 1 way ticket to the dirt farm. “I’m treading for my life believe me, but how can I keep up this breathing?’ Man up buster, sing it out and keep movin’.
“Let It Go”, has Ryan Delahoussayes gorgeous strings. I really love this guy live too. He’s the silent right arm to Blue October and if Justin’s brother Jeremy is there to keep his brother alive, then Delahoussaye is there to provide the softness. “why do I feel this way- why do I kneel? How let it go? Why do I feel’? Cuz you’re alive. And if ever there was a mope about tune this was it. A beautiful but mopey ode to depression.
“She’s My Ride Home”, well then. Is Justin having a good time “We talked together sharpening a knife, like killing partners for a life. Hey we can hide the bodies on the way home”. ‘Strike the match and pour the gasoline’ He wants to stop it all and start again. Who doesn’t but who can?
Blue October is one of the most raw emotion bands of modern time. There is no filter, there is no glossing over, there is no pretty embellishment. This really is Justin Furstenfeld’s journey in and out of mental illness. The disturbing element is endearing and infuriating. This album ignites so many emotions that it should be required listening for anyone who thinks everything is fine. It’s not wake up- life is cruel and unfair. Not many bands allow such an intimate view. If you have ever seen this band live you can tell where Justin’s mental status lies just by looking at him. No one can save him but we can all admire his ability to take us on his journey so honestly.