Blue October – Approaching Normal

Releasedate: 14-08-2009; Label: Universal
By: Nina Mende

Blue October is a rock band originally from Houston, Texas. The band was formed in 1995 and currently consists of Justin Furstenfeld (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Jeremy Furstenfeld (drums, percussion), Ryan Delahoussaye (violin/viola, mandolin, piano, backing vocals), C.B. Hudson (lead guitar, backing vocals) and Matt Noveskey (bass guitar, backing vocals). They have now released their fifth album “Approaching Normal”.

Listening to the new album of Blue October it first reminds a little of Fields of The Nephilim. The first half of the album is faster whereas the middle and the end of it is much slower. “Weight Of The World” starts out the album with demonic sounding voices in the chorus. “say It” has catchy riffs, as well as a catchy chorus. “Dirt Room” is a very fast song, rocking with quite harsh vocals. “Been Down” has slower and softer vocals, it’s a very melodic song. From then on the album stays quite slow and thoughtful as well. You can hear extremely soft vocals on “My Never” with a very emotional style of singing. “Should Be Loved” has a very danceable rhythm and they voice sounds a little smoky with touchy lyrics. “Kangaroo Cry” sounds acoustic and pure, slow and emotional it grabs your soul and holds it tight. “Jump Rope” is the funky song on this album, a very fitting title for it. There is an almost whispering voice to be heard on “The End”, sometimes it sounds slightly panicking or even aggressive, sometimes threatening and sometimes simply scared. A very interesting song. All in all it is a great album, everything else than normal. Blue October is supposed to hit German clubs soon, so maybe I’ll get the chance to see them around. Till then I guess I’ll have to stick with the album.

Tracklist: 1. “Weight of the World” 2. “Say It” 3. “Dirt Room” 4. “Been Down” 5. “My Never” 6. “Should Be Loved” 7. “Kangaroo Cry” 8. “Picking Up Pieces” 9. “Jump Rope” 10. “Blue Skies 11. “Blue Does”

Links:
Blue October MySpace
Blue October Official