I’ve seen Blue October perform “Drilled a Wire Through My Cheek” before and enjoyed it. But something from the recording doesn’t translate into the live performance, which was lucky for me at the concert, not so good for the album. The song is a great song; this is just not a great recording. I think I would like it if I hadn’t heard it live, so I have a different frame of reference for what I think it should sound like. And while I remember the screaming in it, it didn’t sound like maniacal laughter when done live.
“Sound of Pulling Heaven Down” is a wonderful relief to my ears after hearing the previous track. It actually makes me enjoy the distorted vocals singing the ballad. It’s a great song with lovely lyrics. And being familiar with previous Blue October albums, I can only imagine how bone-chillingly beautiful this song would be if there wasn’t the vocal distortion. Seriously, Justin Furstenfeld’s voice is enough to bring me to my knees crying due to its beauty. This song gets close, but not quite there. Not sure about the landing helicopter sound at the end though.
Next is the track “Everlasting Friend.” What? Can I actually hear Justin’s voice from under everything else? It is a sweet song with a very light feel to it. The “oh oh oh” in the background is fitting and is a random sound that finally matches the song!
Foiled ends with the love ballad single “18th Floor Balcony” and I still love this song. Only, after the rest of the album I love it even more. This is the perfect closing track. Hearing Justin sing this, after all the distortion on the other tracks, really shouts out the love felt in the song. It’s hauntingly beautiful and pulls you in. Even if you don’t have someone to love in your life, hearing this song makes you in love anyway — even if just with the song. It makes your heart sing out to Blue October “I am so yours for the taking!” Guess what? I can hear Ryan Delahoussaye playing the violin without it getting covered. “18th Floor Balcony” is like that tasty chocolaty goodness you treat yourself to at the end of the day, only it is a beautiful song at the end of a less than perfect CD.
At the end of “18th Floor Balcony” is a hidden track. Remember the airy version of “Calling You” that is hidden at the end of History For Sale? “It’s Just Me” is similar to that. It is very simple and has pure vocals. Unfortunately, after the beautiful song before it, this track almost doesn’t sound finished.
Article comments
1 - Clarissa Silva
"In fact, after a more classic song like "Hate Me", "Let It Go" kind of pisses me off. Perhaps it was simply extremely poor planning to put it in that order."
If you know the history behind the band and listen to the lyrics of the songs on Foiled, you'd see there's no "poor planning" to it. The album tells a story -- of Justin's evolution through, acceptance of and letting go of a bad relationship before allowing himself to take a chance on a new relationship. The songs are ordered so as to tell that story.
I will admit I came to Blue October late in the game, but I still listened to most of their previous work before Foiled was released. While the current album may be more produced than older ones, I don't consider it worse. It is an evolution of a band with a unique sound and soul-encompassing lyrics.
That may be what makes Blue October so good. They can be Blue October without sticking to only one kind of sound.
2 - Lisa
Ive only heard one of blue octobers songs and its "hate me" i am absolutly adicted. the lyrics have meaning and Justins voice is so great. I hope the rest of the songs i hear from them sre just as good as "hate me" wich is a must hear
3 - MY OPINION ONLY MATTERS
SO THIS ALBUM JUST STRAIGHT UP SUCKS, THE ONLY GOOD SONGS ARE: HATE ME AND INTO THE OCEAN. THE OTHER SONGS SOUND HORRIBLE, JUSTIN'S VOICE IS DEVASTATING TO THE EARS. THIS ALBUM SHOULD COLLECT DUST IN YOUR CLOSET.
4 - NIKKICUTSU
JUSTIN, I LUV....U!!!! I AM A NEW FAN (SINCE FOLIED) I HAVE CONTINUED TO OWN EVERY OTHER CD AND VIDEO OF BLUE OCTOBER,CANT GET ENOUGH :) SAW U IN CONCERT IN OC,CALI LAST WEEK....U ROCK!!!!!!!! I AM ADDICTED AND WILL CONTINUE BEING A FAN 4 A LONG TIME. THANK U. XO NIK [Personal contact info deleted]
5 - dennis
I respect where Blue October is coming from but they have managed to make a whole album of the same song. Too bad, really.
6 - Healing, too
Don't you people ever stop and listen to yourselves?! Writing and singing music is Justin's way of coping with his own mind and feelings. Therefore the healing process begins. I would think that "BLUE OCTOBER FANS" would support them and put Blue October's feelings in the same equation as their own feelings. Bands have to stay true to themselves! I am proud of Blue October for doing exactly that! I sincerely hope and wish the best for them down the road with this kind of PASSION for music, singing, and especially... the HEALLING.
7 - complain my way to success
WOW! NEATO! Another CD of Justin and the band coping with life. This is awesome stuff! Not only was "History for Sale" about coping, so is the new album! Greatest album ever!!!! I hope the CD after this one is Justin coping that his hot dog is uneatable after he dropped it!
8 - Skye
I do agree with a lot of this article, but I also believe that this album represents a lot of what Justin has gone to. It is very real, and you can tell when you see them live just how much emotion goes into their music. There is definately a lot less emphasis in Ryan's amazing talent with the Violin in this album, that comes out more when the songs are performed live.
By far my favourite song by them is Sorry Hearts, and the violin in it is amazing. But that's because I have the live acoustic version, where there's no altering. It's beautiful. Unfortunately, I haven't gotten to hear it live, next time they're coming to town I think I'll spam their myspace begging them to play it. Haha.
Anyways, I'm rambling. I do definately hear what you're saying.
-Skye
9 - Ray Mesa
I've been a fan of Blue October since I heard Hate me, But I later found other tracks that people really should listen to (the 21st, The Answers, Wieght Of The World, Schizopherina) Don't judge them by one cd is what I'm trying to say.
Justin is the only person that has yet to explain emotions that I myself could never say. To at all put this band down is insane, Go pick on Bright Eyes. Or any fan of ICP. These are people that are simply going no where fast.
I love this band, I love this cd, So much that I should go into rehab for it.
10 - Chris
This isn't a personal attack, it's an attack at your review... You start by totally dissing the cd then you follow that up by half hearted praise. If you aren't familiar with the band then you would understand. So shut the hell up and go listen to your Radiohead or Green Day that everyone thinks is so great. Have a nice day.
11 - ummmm
ummm yeah, reviews usually list good and bad. this review seems to say the band is great while the cd isn't. and if they should shut the hell up, why the hell are you reading a review anyway?
12 - christopher ryan price
ya know what justin talks about all the sad stuff but what about the ppl that were there befor they were even big back in the rodan record days this is the truth he was my counsler at the -brown schools in san marcos- he taught me poetry and alot of other stuff i just think its funny how after bumping into him at charlies of austin he dissapeerd i know jermey hates me and i guess he has good reason to i mean he work there to and by the way brown schools is a mental hospital for the youth hell im a totall metalhead i dont even listen to the band but what i can say is i used to consider him a mentor and friend now i dont even consider him
13 - T tad
I can't seem to get the hidden track on foiled? HELP?
14 - T tad
Does it automaticly play after "18th Floor Balcony?"
15 - jag
you gotta wait for that hidden track.... which feels like a half hour, but i never timed it.... just forward the song, youll hear it.
16 - Ray Ellis
I know you have a lot on your plate, Mr. Rose, but shouldn't comments like #16 above, and that current Tatu thread be summarily trashed?
17 - Christopher Rose
Ray, yes and no respectively! Of course, having done that, you're #16 now, so it appears you're calling for your own comment to be deleted, lol.
18 - Ray Ellis
Wise guy--why I oughtta--