No longer love Justin Furstenfeld? I will grant him that one wish. “Hate Me” launched Blue October to momentary stardom getting them some video air time and some pop radio runs. Along with “Into The Ocean” this tune gave the Austin TX band the attention they deserved. I have to say that BO were one of my favorite bands. Furstenfeld’s raw and painful voice was perfectly placed as he sang of self loathing, mental illness and pain beyond recovery.
But then something happen. The art was no longer art. It was a psych journal as we traveled with him on his journey of bi polar disorders, depression, divorce and odd panic attacks. He became a case study in chemical imbalance rather an entertainer and when you take me on that journey I’m going to jump ship. Your cute and all but shut the fuck up about your world and entertain me, save that shit for your friends and family- I’m not paying $50 for a concert ticket to hear you bitch and moan about how hard living is for you.
So what happened. From top of the charts to not even on the charts Blue October nearly returned to Texas bar band status and honestly, that infuriates me. How this band could not be managed better, their issues handled more discreetly is beyond me. No one likes a Debbie Downer even if they have the sexiest eyes in rock and roll. Blue October came to interest with their angst and teeth barring fury at themselves and the world and ended up a whimpering shell of lost strength.
In this radio show acoustic version of their only hit Justin Furstenfeld takes one of his most powerful tunes and strips it down to the most pathetic whimper I have ever heard. I am sad because I know how great Blue October could have been. I am not as angry and harsh of words on how disgusted I am with them because I do have a couple ounces of empathy for this guy.
Coulda been great, man…but it aint. Here is Justin resembling Charles Manson and sounding like a pathetic sap. But hey the lyrics are cool.
