Product Description Explicit Version. 2009 album from the Texas Post-Grunge quintet. Approaching Normal is Blue October's follow-up to their platinum-plus selling 2006 album Foiled and the 100k selling Foiled Deluxe. Famed Twilight author Stephanie Meyer says this about the band: ''...there is empathetic power in Blue October's music - the listener doesn't just sympathize with the feeling of the song, the listener has no choice but to feel the song as if the emotion was his/her own.'' 13 tracks including the first single 'Dirt Room'. About the Artist On the new Blue October album, Approaching Normal, Justin Furstenfeld, moves his band forward into confident new territory as a songwriter and as a storyteller. Steve Lillywhite, the producer synonymous with U2 and five-time Grammy Award winner guided the way and the result is an album that breaks the mold of whatever anyone may think Blue October is. Lillywhite's first attraction to Blue October was the voice. "For me, it's always the voice that gets me first because my opinion on a voice never changes. There are singers and there are expressionists and Justin is both," says Steve, who quickly adds that just as important is the artistry, "Their music really touches people in a way that the music of great artists do. There is bond of passion and trust between artist and audience." "Working with Steve has always been my dream and I learned so much from him...like less is more." Justin comments, "I was like a painter that did not know how to paint. It's quite a new step trusting someone with your vision...but hey it's Steve Lillywhite and I trusted him completely." Approaching Normal is the follow-up to the band's platinum selling breakthrough album, Foiled. Released in 2006, the first single, "Hate Me," a song that offers a stepping stone from regret to hope, became the surprise modern rock anthem of the year spending 16 weeks in the Top 10 with five weeks at #2. The crossover success of the follow-up single, "Into the Ocean," propelled the album sales well into the million plus territory in North America alone. Having a platinum selling album creates pressure and as a songwriter, Justin felt it. Lillywhite helped him along the way by encouraging him to work more deliberately at his craft "He pushed me as a writer. I would have a song written and Steve would say, `that part is boring.' No one has ever said that to me before. Steve would tell me to sit down and work on it and I never did that before. I re-wrote melodies and lyrics that didn't make sense and now they are gorgeous. He pushed me to be better and that inspired me and I accomplished more than I would of on my own." Approaching Normal is a journey; a song cycle that begins with "Weight of the World," a song that made its first appearance as a spoken word poem on the band's brilliant live CD and DVD "Argue with a Tree." The new version, fully orchestrated by the band, finds Justin, as himself, at the peak of his youthful destruction. I blackout in the room again, a busted lip and broken skin. I wake up in the bathroom and dare not bother asking why the mirror's cracked and all I see are shards of glass inside of me. There's voices there to dare me, my father's here to scare me." "Foiled was about all of this crap that I had to get off of my chest," states Justin, "I'm sick of being the victim. I want to be a strong, confident individual," and that is exactly what Track 2, "Say It," a song about empowerment and gaining confidence is all about. The same confidence can be heard again and again throughout the album on songs like, "Blue Skies" and "Should Be Loved." but not before the album turns angry and vindictive with the powerful first single, "Dirt Room." The song is an all out aggro-rocker with a lyrical metaphor about not allowing yourself to be taken advantage of, protecting your family and standing up for what is yours. "Dirt Room" also marks the point on the album, when the listener is slapped into noticing just how fierce Blue October is as a band. On this song, Jeremy Furstenfeld (drums) and Matt Noveskey (bass) lay down a metallic rhythm that doesn't quit while C.B. Hudson III adds the guitars that drive the band into alt-metal-garage-punk terrain while Justin scream-sings the vivid and graphic storyline. The surprise comes when multi-instrumentalist, Ryan Delahoussaye, kicks it all up with a violin solo that turns the hot up a few degrees more. Throughout the album the musicianship of the band never falters and always amazes...whatever pallet is required...delicate, ethereal, fiery, rollicking, dramatic, you name it and the band always delivers. The centerpiece of the album is "Kangaroo Cry/Picking Up the Pieces." The two songs cross-faded to tell the story of a soldier's heart-wrenching goodbye to his girl on the eve of being deployed into active duty and then the how-and-why of the picking up the pieces of their broken life upon his return. "My Never," is, perhaps, the most anticipated song on the album since it's introduction last summer during the Stephenie Meyer/Justin Furstenfeld Breaking Dawn Concert tour. Meyer, a Blue October fan and bestselling author of the Twilight saga, surprised Justin when she invited him to join her theater tour and help her introduce the release of the fourth and final book of her uber-popular series. " On the Breaking Dawn stage, Justin sang acoustic versions of his songs and Stephenie would talk about how they roused her writing, "As a writer, I'm always looking for music that can bring out the emotions that I need for the story. While there are many musicians that can recall to me times in the past where I might have felt sadness or rage or infatuation, it's very rare to find a song that can actually put me in that emotion, rather than just reminding me of it. There is empathetic power in Blue October's music--the listener doesn't just sympathize with the feeling of the song, the listener has no choice but to feel the song as if the emotion was his/her own." Says Justin of the experience, "I was taken back by her invitation and I am equally motivated by her writing and her fans. It showed me that you don't have to be broken to be a Blue October fan." Meyer responds, "Working with Justin was an unparalleled experience for me. I was intimidated by the idea of working with someone whose work I held in such awe, but as soon as I met Justin everything became very easy--different as we are, we clicked on a kindred spirit level right away. Being able to combine the presentation of my books with the music that inspired it felt very right. Sitting on stage next to Justin while he performed was an experience that will always be a highlight of my life. And better than all of it was coming away from it with a friend. You rock, Justin!" Along the Normal journey there are songs that break the Blue October mold. The philosophically happy, "Jumprope" and the lullaby, "Blue Does," were both written for a new life, Justin's baby girl. "I don't want to write sad songs anymore. I am a little older and I have a child and that allows me to see the beauty and the mystery of life. I want to show my fans that it is OK to be happy." And then, just as everything seems settled into a comfortable suburban life, the Approaching Normal song cycle wraps with a shocker, "The End." This tale of an unstable man self-tortured by jealously is as frightening as any song ever recorded. You won't find it on the "clean" edit version of the album...it's that scary. "There are crazy stories on this album and this one is purely theatrical...I've just always been fascinated with what people think they can get away with...what in their brain is making them say `that's OK.'" "What the fuck is normal?" concludes Justin, "The album is a play on how everyone's sense of normal is at risk over something, happiness or sadness or, god forbid, madness. Blue October is a mood. Whether you listen to the words or not, the music sets a tone and as for the lyrics, well, you either love it or hate it." "I think that we have made an album that is an artistic statement," adds Lillywhite, "it's a journey, but it also checks the boxes of commercial potential. I really love the record."
T**S
Approaching Insanity part 1
Wow, this is a difficult CD/album to digest. A more fitting title would be: Approaching Insanity part 1 with 'Any Man in American' being part 2. Coming off of the somewhat balanced and thoroughly satisfying Foiled, Justin's personal angst is full on here in shocking display. 'The End' is perhaps the most disturbing 5 minutes of music/dialogue I have ever listened to. It's like a soundtrack to Natural Born Killers. The release of this song had to prompt a criminal investigation. The obvious lyrical plot to murder his ex-wife is so haunting, I won't even listen to this with my family around. It is that disturbing. Justin will not want this as his legacy. My heart goes out to this man and the mental anguish that he must have endured.There are some very good, listenable tracks here: Say It, Been Down, Should Be Loved, Picking Up The Pieces. However, they are overshadowed by the dark and disturbing tracks laced with F-bombs: 'Weight of the World', 'Dirt Room' and 'The End'. I will be surprised if this album ages well. There is plenty here that is good here, though.
D**N
CD copy is deceptive and will incure additional costs
In buying music they want to make it clear that some might be explicit...but they do not identify if they are clean till down loaded. Bought the CD with rip option only to find out that it was a clean version after it downloaded. Went and bought the original version (digital only option), which happens to be the explicit version. Go and cancel the clean CD, but then get hit with a charge for the clean download that I have already deleted. They just need to be clearer on what you are buy...yes it might be explicit, but it is also original. Clean are typically edited which deserves just as much of a stamp.
N**P
Delightfully dark and twisted
If you're a fan of Blue October's angrier music and have been wanting to hear them take it to the next level, you'll love this album. It is not for the faint of heart or easily upset. Some of it is rather graphic, all of it is pure raw emotion. And it's not generally happy emotion. Even the most upbeat song, Jump Rope, is basically, "so you're happy? well hold onto that feeling because it ain't going to last". At the other end of the spectrum, Weight of the World and The End are brutal ballads from a tortured soul.The album showcases well all of the band's many musical talents, and their ability to weave new and creative melodies that you won't easily forget. Add on some powerful basslines, growling vocals, and lyrics straight from that one voice in your head you're not supposed to listen to, and by the end of the album you'll be pounding on the walls of your padded room with the rest of the band.
J**N
Up Down Up Down Up Down, Yeah.
Like the chorus of the most infectious song on "Approaching Normal", "Jump Rope" encapsulates the feel of Blue October's newest work. In fact, "Jump Rope" almost seems out of place here until you realize that the song is bittersweet--like many of the songs found here.Still, "Approaching Normal" has its acerbic, violent and bleak moments like "Weight Of The World", "Dirt Room" and the domestic violence crime scene of "The End". These are the darkest tracks. Then you have the grey, in-between tracks about dysfunctional love like "Been Down", "My Never", "Picking Up Pieces", "Kangaroo Cry" and "Should Be Loved". Like I said earlier, you have the somewhat hopeful "Jump Rope", "Blue Skies" and an ode to Furstenfeld's daughter in "Blue Does".A wild ride to say the least. But what you really want to know is how "Approaching Normal" compares to their other four albums, right? I listened to "The Answers" (1998), "Consent To Treatment" (2000), "History For Sale" (2003) and Foiled (2006) in order, leading up to the release of "Approaching Normal". I want to be fair in saying that this new disc is better than "Consent To Treatment", and maybe better than "The Answers", but I think "Foiled" and "History For Sale" are slightly better albums. The trouble with "Approaching Normal" is that the mood is wildly uneven (I know Furstenfeld struggles with Bipolar Disorder). It's not eclectic as some other reviewers have pointed out. It's tone is wildly uneven. The music is fairly cohesive, but who wants to listen to "Jump Rope" and "Blue Does" followed by "Dirt Room" and "The End"? "Approaching Normal" is good, but not great. I was hoping for a little more after how great "Foiled" was.The hits here are easily "Jump Rope" and "Should Be Loved". "Dirt Room" was an okay choice for first single. I think it will be okay for alternative radio along with "Weight Of The World" and "Say It" and maybe "Kangaroo Cry".Here's my comparison chart for "Approaching Normal":1998 The Answers: Three and a Half Stars2000 Consent To Treat: Three Stars2003 History For Sale: Four and a Half Stars2006 Foiled: Four Stars2009 Approaching Normal: Three and a Half Stars
E**N
They'll be back
This feels like a minor work after _History for Sale_ and the daring exploits of _Foiled_. It's definitely got its moments. "Weight of the World" is a chilling sequel to "Hate Me" that clearly took time to perfect (and perfect it they did: those last 40 seconds in particular are nothing short of jaw-dropping). "Say It" and "Dirt Room" are solid singles that push all the right buttons. On the opposite end of the emotional spectrum, "Jump Rope" just barely avoids being way too cute, what with the children's choir and all, and it ultimately won me over.But then we've got at least a third of an album's worth of throwaway songs like "Should Be Loved," which sounds like a reject from The Killers' B-sides compilation, and "Blue Skies," whose sentiments I admire even as I have to suggest that it's a musical mess.Every good band deserves fudge, if the circle of fifths has anything to say about it, and I'm thinking that this is Blue October's fudge break. Fans should find much to like, but newcomers might want to start with either of the two previous albums.
J**W
Great album
I first came across Blue October on one of the music channels with Hate Me, which appealed to me as it is a very intense and the singer puts so much emotion into the song & video. I listened to a few other tracks via youtube and this inspired me to buy the album Approaching Normal. This doesnt have Hate Me on it, by the way.This is a very intense album, I assume Justin must have had a few issues in his life and the songs reflect this. There isnt a bad track and all are emotionally charged in their own way, from the 1st track to the last track. The last track being called 'The End' which left me open mouthed, I wasnt expecting that. And I never thought I'd find myself singing along to a song about burying someone alive.Its not all doom and gloom, however, and there are some feel good tracks and some slower and very beautiful tracks such as Blue Does and My Never.If you like you're music intense, then this is a great album. But its great to listen to and will have you up, down, up down yeah...
P**E
Worth the wait!
Blue October have managed to create another unique album full of unpredictable, beautiful songs which take you through a whole rainbow of emotions."Blue Skies" is my personal favourite because it symbolises coming into the light after spending years in the dark to me. Also, anybody who has a child around knows the love and joy they bring into your life and that shines through this song."The End" is another of my favourites, though the contrast between this and "Blue Skies" is inexpicable. It's dirty, it's dangerous but it's definitely delightful!Blue October can not be shoved into one genre, they cannot be labelled, they just are one of the most amazing bands to exist.
H**R
Love it 💕
Great CD if you're a fan of Blue October.
A**R
Thank you
Thank you for the product.
M**M
Present
Got this for my son, he loves Blue October
B**B
Five Stars
perfect
C**N
Five Stars
perfecto gracias
H**H
Five Stars
Great
C**N
Cd Approaching normal
Da grande amante della musica dei Blue October non potevo non comprare questo cd, che è uno dei miei preferiti tra quelli della band. Justin Furstenfeld ha un modo unico di scrivere e comporre canzoni... l'articolo è arrivato nei tempi previsti e in ottime condizioni!
J**Z
... to their Foiled CD with Blue Skies being the best song. Like Foiled
A solid follow-up CD to their Foiled CD with Blue Skies being the best song. Like Foiled, my wife and I can put it on and listen to the whole thing as we drive somewhere. My only criticism is when they try to go really heavy and they seem to do one hard song per CD. It doesn't work for them. Stick to songs like Hate Me and Blue Skies.
C**L
Blue October - Meine persönliche Entdeckung 2012
Ich war schon immer etwas abseits des Mainstream unterwegs, um gute, (noch) weniger bekannte Bands zu finden, vor allem in London und Umgebung. Auf Blue October bin ich jetzt aber über Amazon.de gestossen, und es hat mich gleich voll erwischt!Tolle, gefühlvolle Songs, eine Stimme, die unter die Haut geht und der gekonnte Tanz zwischen den Stilrichtungen sind schlicht Weltklasse. Wie konnten die Jungs bloss so lange an meinen Antennen vorbei musizieren?Egal: ich empfehle "Approaching Normal" allen, die ausser Schlagern und Oberkrainern alles hören und ihren Horizont auch weiterhin offen halten wollen.Es gibt kaum einen Hänger auf dem Album, übrigens eine Qualität, die sich durch alle Werke der Band zieht - KAUFEN!!
M**R
Thank you
Baby's happy. All that matters.
I**S
Meine Lieblings CD für 2013
Der Sängerv hat eine Stimme, die mich total begeistert, habe mir die CD gekauft und dann sofort eine Karte für das Konzert in Berlin organisiert, das Konzert war genauso gut, wie diese CD; texte sehr interessant und die Musik einfach perfekt
D**I
Klasse CD!
Blue October konnten mich mit dieser CD sofort überzeugen. Es steckt viel Arbeit in jedem einzelnen Song und man hat viel Spaß beim Hören. Alles in allem eine klare Kaufempfehlung!
P**T
Love! Gänsehaut!
Hammer Stimme von Justin Furstenfeld! in allen Tönen! Laut... leise...lyric der absolute Wahnsinn! Jedes der Lieder transportiert dem Hörer etwas mit Tiefgang. WOW!
