Brigette BarbosaBlue October isn’t a household name – at least not yet.
The once up-and-coming band from Texas has finally achieved semi-stardom. They might not have a glass case full of Grammys, or in the case of Three 6 Mafia, even an Oscar, but they do have a growing fan base and catchy singles.
“Hate me today/ Hate me tomorrow/ Hate me so you can finally see what’s good for you.” Lines like this might not win any “Lyric of the Year” awards, but they certainly convey the message.
What message is that? Blue October lets you decide. Their story-telling songs allow listeners to relate and understand the underlying problems.
Blue October’s fifth album, “Foiled,” hit stores April 4, but the single “Hate Me” recently peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Modern Rock music chart.
The song “Hate Me” is about a man going through the various stages of a relationship and understanding the mistakes he has made. He eventually realizes that his self-loving attitude may be the reason for the problems in his relationship. And the girl, is better off without him, according to frontman Justin Furstenfeld.
“He speaks the truth. It’s all real-life experiences everyone can relate to,” said fellow band mate, guitarist and vocalist CB Hudson on the band’s official Web site, blueoctober.com. “Our music touches people in the heart. I’m really proud of that.”
You might not break down and cry based on the lyrics, or even find the key to love hidden deep in the rock anthems included on this album, but you will find songs that rival the heart-filled, emotional lyrics of bands like Coldplay and Dashboard Confessional. But unlike Dashboard songs that force you to pull over for fear of hitting the car in front of you as tears stream down your face (not that anyone I know has), Blue October invites you to reflect and just listen.
The best part about “Foiled” is being able to listen and analyze the content based on personal experiences. Blue October doesn’t force listeners to take their view of life, but allows the opportunity for fans to agree and add personal input to make the songs what they want.
Track No. 11, “Everlasting Friend,” provides the best example of this capability. Lyrics like “Please take the message that you taught me how to live at last/ But I said my confidence, it gets stronger when you’re next to me/ But will you wave respect good bye in quest for what we long to be” lead into the repetitive, but not boringly hypnotic chorus. “I might crumble and take a fall again/ I just want to know that you’ll be coming home” is the chorus segment that gives the listener time to interpret their own thoughts and understand the message at their own level. This song, like the others on this album, is only what you make them. Nothing more, nothing less.
Blue October’s other albums include “History for Sale,” which features the track “Calling You” from “American Wedding,” and “Consent to Treatment,” the first album produced under their current label Universal Records.
Fans of Blue October will not be disappointed with “Foiled,” and new listeners now have a springboard to enjoy the highs and lows of life in a new light.