Title: Approaching Normal
Artist: Blue October
Genre: Rock , Alternative
Release Date: 14th August 2009
Label: Universal
Album Review
`Approaching Normal´ is the meanwhile fifth studio album of the Texas-based formation BLUE OCTOBER that has attracted lots of fans in the USA over the years. The opener `Weight of the World´ is introduced by the noise of ambulances and a knocking on a door. Soon, lead singer Justin Furstenfeld’s expressive, slightly hoarse voice (which is very similar to the one of PETER GABRIEL) turns the firstly calm track into a wailing and powerful song which definitely thrives on this change of mood. `Say it´, the second piece, would be a good choice regarding a single release. It’s a catchy and guitar-driven song that could appeal to radio listeners, as it is easy to sing along and promises to be great background music for extended car rides in a long summer night. In January 2009, `Dirt Room´ was released as a single in the USA. Starting with a guitar sound that strongly reminds me of the THE CURE soundscape, the up-tempo song turns out as an aggressive track accompanied with “uhuhuhu”-backing vocals.
Actually, the restrained fourth piece `Been down´ instils the feeling of being left. The verses are intonated in a fragile and gentle way, whereas the passionate chorus is marked by the emotional question “How long, how long have we been down?” My favourite song `My never´ bemoans a lost love and starts with sparely acoustic guitar sounds. The heartsick, almost whispered lines change into more powerful vocals accompanied with a tender piano playing. `Should be Love´ comes up with energetic guitars which could have been influenced by THE CURE again. The anthemic song invites to dance and I guess, it will work fantastically live on stage. The seventh track `Kangaroo Cry´ appears to be calm and sad ballad, but later on the song’s mood turns into an emotional release. There’s a fragile piano at the beginning of `Picking up Pieces´ which is a very melodic and catchy tune. Furthermore, the track is enriched by some playful Synth sounds and the generally multifaceted vocals that transfer deep sadness as well as cheerful pleasure.
`Jump Rope´ is the ninth track and pretty different from the others: Vivid guitars and percussions put a smile on my lips. It is followed up by `Blue Skies´ which is an up-tempo song garnished with galloping Rockabilly sound and a bit of Punk attitude. Contrary to the previous tunes, `Blue does´ is a nice lullaby due to the whispered lyrics and the guitar picking. Last but not least, the bonus track `The End´ impresses with strumming guitars and the adjuring vocals culminating in a dark atmosphere - a real gem! After some scarcely audible violins, the melody is marked by the threatening vocals again. To sum up, `Approaching Normal´ is a complex long-player containing sad and aggressive stuff as well as some happy pieces. The album’s manifoldness and particularly the charismatic vocals of Justin Furstenfeld make it worth buying.
Tracklist
01. Weight of the world
02. Say it
03. Dirt Room
04. Been down
05. My never
06. Should be loved
07. Kangaroo Cry
08. Picking up Pieces
09. Jump Rope
10. Blue Skies
11. Blue does
12. The End (Bonus Track)
Line-up
Justin Furstenfeld - Vocals, Guitar, Piano
Ryan Delahoussaye - Violin, Mandolin, Keys
Jeremy Furstenfeld - Drums
CB Hudson III - Guitar
Matt Noveskey - Bass
Website
http://www.blueoctoberfan.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/blueoctober
Cover-Picture
Rating
Music: 9
Sound: 9
Extras: -
Total: 9 / 10
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