Customer Reviews

Foiled

5 star:		(101)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

The thing about Blue October that is going to be, and has been, a roadblock for them is that they don't really have a "mainstream niche." Take a look at "History for Sale" and you will see instantly what I'm talking about. The songs range from folk, to harder rock to almost everything in between. You'll hear some country-ish music, their big hit from that album "Calling You" was definitely pop-ish. It's very eclectic and not content with being one genre. A similar, at times even more so, situation happens with their new album, "Foiled."

You're going to see a lot of disparate reviews here. For someone who purchases this album thinking he or she is going to find an entire album of "Hate Me"-esqe songs, he or she will invariably be disappointed. The journey will involve touching on more folk, hard rock, pop, dance music, music that seems influenced by the 80s (and reminds me of a Dido song), etc etc. Are the individual songs bad? No, I don't think one song on here is bad. They are all different though. I happen to not like dance music and so I don't really care fo "X-Amount Of Words." I'm more a fan of hard music, or music with an edge to it so I really like "Hate Me" and, even more so, "Drilled A Wire Through My Cheek." However, the next reviewer will probably be the exact opposite.

And here is where they are going to have that problem I spoke about earlier. None of the songs are unified around a single or couple genres. Justin and crew effortlessly surf through the different genres and feels without much care. For people like me, it's not a problem. I have a very eclectic taste in music and I like almost every song on this cd. But for others, the wide divergence might not do it for them. I bet there will be at least one song on this album for everyone. But for a person who doesn't like the other genres, this album might be a turn off.

Which is a shame. One thing about Blue October's songs is that they are filled with some terrific lyrics, whether melancholy or upbeat. And each song really fits in with the feeling of the lyrics, blending together perfectly. It's a terrific cd that is a roller-coaster of both emotions and song types that is never content to just sit there.

I do think Blue October is at the top of their game when they sing their harder music like "Drilled A Wire Through My Cheek" and I think it would be absolutely fantastic to hear an album comprised of rock in this mold. But they aren't going to do that because they obviously like a wide range of music. I commend them for it, but I cringe because it's going to be a hard treck. Fortunately for me, it's one I'm willing to go on.

Every once in a while I find a band that stands apart from the rest of the shlock, and this year it's Blue October. "Foiled" is my first exposure to the band, but it's their fourth album. I saw it in the top 100 sellers here at Amazon, listened to the sound samples and liked what I heard. After listening to this cd a dozen times I am amazed these guys aren't superstars yet.

"Foiled" runs a wide range of emotions, and all the songs have something to do with therapy, changing or healing. It's sometimes cathartic like "Hate Me", "What If We Could" or "Drilled A Wire Through My Cheek". At other times its uplifting and moving like "You Make Me Smile", "She's My Ride Home" or "Congratulations" (with the wonderful vocals of Imogen Heap). And then there are times when it's quietly thoughtful as with "18th Floor Balcony" and the hidden track that follows it. Relationships and their ups and downs seem to be the theme of the album with "Overweight", "Fall Into The Ocean" and "Let It Go" all dealing with adjusting yourself to accommodate another.

"Foiled" has so many different musical styles to fit each mood each song wants to project, that it makes the cd a complete pleasure to listen over and over again. I'm not without criticism though. I think "Sound Of Pulling Heaven Down" and "Everlasting Friend" are the two weakest tracks on the disc and should have been left as b-sides. Also, while listening to "Foiled" I felt they sounded like somebody, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. I eventually determined that one band they seemed similar to in a few ways is Collective Soul. I know on "She's My Ride Home" I definitely heard The Cure in the guitar playing.

If you haven't heard Blue October, this is the time to immerse yourself. I am now going back and buying their first three albums. It's been almost three months since the release of "Foiled" and I'm already looking forward to their next album!

Foiled represents a musical amalgamation of emotions put to sound. From start to finish, one experiences shifting altitudes. From sinking hard & fast to the bottom and floating on the top of a turbulent ocean, to drifting & buffeting against winds amidst atmospheric clouds. And then, finally, we are shot into space to tumble through the ether.

Blue October can play (really play) but they are mechanics & artists of experience. This work represents an engineering and creative masterpiece that evokes memories of past masters of similar artistry, like Genesis and Marillion. Yet there is something completely novel that instills every song with a fresh and unique sound that beats and breathes. These guys don't write songs; they paint music.

So I've heard Foiled, and here's what I think:

You Make Me Smile Subtle bass line, a whispery echo. Hook: CB's guitar chimes the familiar riff. More echoed vocals, which I disliked at first, but don't mind so much....I still think they're unnecessary. The song's got a bouncy danceability to it. The vocals later in the song are great (once they lose the echo). Not quite as soaring as when performed live, but the essence of the song is captured on the album.

She's My Ride Home The best song on the album, perhaps the best song Blue October has ever done. To not make this a single would be a mistake in my opinion. The lyrics have changed since the last time I heard it, they're more morbid, but also uplifting. They tell a metaphorical story of murder, cover-up and successful escape...a kind of Bonnie and Clyde fugitive true love epic. Kill some people, outrun the police, hide the bodies, and now we're safe...watch the sunset, fall in love, and go home. From the first time I heard this song at the soundcheck at T.C.U. (when was that?) I knew it had potential to develop into a hit. It has surpassed all expectations. Sounds like The Cure, which is a good thing.

Into the Ocean This song sounds like it comes straight out of early 80's nu wave (I mean that in the most complimentary way possible). You could sing the chorus to "The Promise" to this song and not miss a beat. A very oceanic feel, with south Pacific percussion, and washy wave sounds in the background, all it needs is a ukulele to complete the ensemble. There's a female voice singing backup, violin of course, and what sounds like a harp (?)
A very fun happy sounding song, with somber lyrics - common for Blue October songs.

A sad violin starts out What if We Could.....then a punky guitar riff building up to the hook. I've always loved this song. What started as a dark acoustic 5591 number about meeting someone and making a connection, but not being able to take it further because you're both committed to other people, is now a hard rocker....and it works. In bits it sounds angry, but seeing it live it was definitely hard and upbeat, but on the album it sounds more upset. Outstanding lyrics of course (You're a superstar in my eyes....look in my eyes).

Hate Me. Good choice for the first single, a solid song. The album version features outstanding U2esque guitar work. It flows seamlessly into Let it Go

Let it Go starts with violin and acoustic guitar.... classical and somber. Reminds me of Everybody Hurts by R.E.M. (only better). During the first verse a piano kicks in. It's a simple song musically...not necessarily sad, but curious reflection about why we make the choices in our lives. Why we choose some paths and not others....why do we feel. Midway through the song the drums kick in and we're treated to harmonica and electric guitar. The vocals are not as intense as they are live, but this it is right on the album. First time I heard it on the album, I thought "they did this one right on."

Congratulations. When I first heard this song on myspace.com I was surprised at the change of direction, it reminded me of Enya (not exactly in the same genre as Blue October). It's a beautiful song which gets into a good groove by the end. The dual vocals are amazing....especially at the end. This is the first song where I think we really get to hear Justin singing full on.

Spanish guitar....squiggly....then acoustic strumming. Ever carried the Weight of Another? This song is a 180 degree change from the mood it had at the 5591 show at the Caucus Club in Austin. It's a happy hip-hoppy song that makes you want to shrug your shoulders, hold out your arms and bounce up and down and sing along. The premise of the song is a great idea to write about - carrying the weight of another...taking on the burdens of others because you love them and they need your strength or else they'll be unable to make it. A strange moment in the song is when Justin is describing beating up a street punk, and all of the sudden out of nowhere some lady sings "Yeah!"
In the spoken word version, the key focus seemed to be to thank Jeremy for saving Justin's life more times than he can count. That bit is shifted to the end of the song, and you'd miss it if you weren't listening closely. I love this song, it makes me feel good inside ) Reminds me of Just Dropped in by Kenny Rogers crossed with Will Smith style hip-hop.

X-Amount of Words. Justronica! If this song doesn't make you want to dance, check your pulse, you might be dead. Reminds me of Moby.
Flows seamlessly into
Drilled a Wire Through My Cheek
I don't recommend releasing this one as a single, I think it would scare away the masses. I like it though, the guitar is cool, and it preserves the dark side of Blue October amongst all these happy love songs. This song starts out deceptively slow, and then an onslaught of heavy metal and screaming. Good stuff. I liked the theory one reviewer had that it's about the devil and angel on your shoulder, connected by a wire. To me there is a Jeckle and Hyde story here (the masochist who's stolen my first name)....like an angel who can snap and do devilish things, or how we wear different masks in different settings (hide your Ugly side)...taken to the extreme it's called schizophrenia. It's great live too.

Somewhere Far Away From Here.....ha ha when I hear the intro to this song, I think of Bill Murray as the Vegas lounge singer on Saturday Night Live singing "Star Wars" Anyhow....the allusion to Somewhere Over The Rainbow is unmistakable. Great lyrics, nice beat. I must disagree with those who say this is the best song on the album, that honor goes to She's My Ride Home. Sound of Pulling Heaven Down is pretty good though....but it doesn't wow me like She's My Ride. It's a song I listen to more for the words than for the music.

Everlasting Friend is the weakest song on the album (there had to be one). It sounds good, but it's just not as memorable as the other songs...it doesn't stick in your head. It's very easy listening....maybe too easy.

18th Floor Balcony - acoustic and perfect. The vocals are very clear (unlike some of the other songs).

It's Just Me, again great voice. This is just Justin and a piano. A well written song. Sounds like it's an original demo, as people can be heard talking in the background, and there's a slight static hiss.

Overall the album is outstanding and broadly eclectic. It's one that you'll want to listen to over and over. All day at work I just keep thinking about these songs. I think the world will eat it up.

I'm a music lover, so therefore love all kinds of genre's. I bought Foiled and was transported to Blue Octoberland. I gave it to my son to listen to and he came back wanting more. I now own all of their CD's, Answers, Consent to Treatment, Argue with a Tree and History for Sale.

This band is brilliant, from the haunting voice of Justin Furstenfeld to the many layers of the band; from the genius in the lyrics to the genius of the music with the lyrics. You won't be disappointed. Each song is different and will only show you that Blue October has no boundaries. The only thing that could make their music better is to see it live.

When I first reviewed this album a few weeks ago, I wrote, "Maybe I'll rewrite this review once the dust settles and I have something more eloquent to say, but more likely I'll just let this stand as I track down every last song these guys have ever recorded."

Nah. This one deserves better than first impressions. As far as I can tell, _Foiled_ is one of those rare but blessed albums that both grab your attention at first listen and refuse to let go once you figure out in which genre to place them...assuming you even can. Is it emo? hard rock? progressive? country? dance-industrial? Yes. No. Maybe. Depends on which song. Its title is delightfully appropriate for those who insist on labels.

I never listen to the radio, so I was oblivious to the "Hate Me" phenomenon and discovered Blue October only by searching for more music by Imogen Heap, who contributes vocals to the devestatingly gorgeous "Congratulations." Talk about musical whiplash. The transition between the poppy, radio-friendly, musically cheery -- and, let's face it, lyrically suicidally depressed -- "Into the Ocean" and the furious guitar assault and vocal screaming of "What If We Could" alone is a risk that not too many bands would be willing to take. And yet, somehow, the album as a whole is completely consistent, coherent, and listenable at volumes ranging from late-night mellow to mid-afternoon ear-shatteringly loud. (Shades of _Up_ by Peter Gabriel, another risky album by an artist at whose feet Justin Furstenfeld quite sensibly worships.)

I'll admit that I often find myself skipping the the last three tracks: "Everlasting Friend" is a bit too bland for me, "18th Floor Balcony" is a bit too overwrought as ballads go, and the off-key vocals on the bonus track make me cringe and reach for the mute button. Still, that leaves 79% of the album that I'd be hard-pressed to call much less than brilliant.

I particularly can't see why "Sound of Pulling Heaven Down" has attracted so much negative attention and/or confusion as to what it's about. The lyrics are pretty darn clear:

I'm reaching farther than I ever have before
Leaving all who broke your heart upon the shore
I may be some sort of crazy
We may be some sort of crazy
But I swear on everything I have and more...

It's a love song, and an inordinately good one.

A genuine revelation.

Someone pinch me. I'm dumbfounded. I am extremely hard to please musically. I look for diversity, intensity and melodic structure in my music. "Foiled" has it all. If you are like me and getting frustrated with the bland music scene of today, you absolutely MUST take refuge in this album. I am impressed and that says quite a lot. Good Job, Blue October!

I don't give a 5 star rating to many things in life, but to this cd (as well as to their "History for Sale" cd), I do. I can't stop listening to either of these two "Blue October" cds! Very edgy. Very original. Killer lyrics, fantastic instrumentation, raw vocals. "Hate Me" was the single from this cd that first caught my eye. The lyrics alone are so "there" and brave, followed up by the vocals (beautiful in a really, really, harsh way!). Some favorite tracks of mine, from this cd, are: "She's My Ride Home", "Hate Me", ..... actually, there isn't a single I don't like off of this cd. If you buy it, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

I have been enjoying the unique sound and perspective of Blue October for only about a year, but am so impressed by their raw sound, the variety of music they are playing and the raw emotion. I went to see them last week and they are a great live band. They rocked the rave in Milwaukee, if you have a chance to see them, do it, it'll be worth your while.

All I can say is WOW! The variety of the songs just blows me away... there seems to be a song I can listen to no matter what mood I'm in! The music is not cliche and very unique... they have their own sound and are not generic in any way. LOVE IT! I just ordered their other CD's b/c this one is so great! I'm definitely a big fan now.