why does this band even exist in 2016

Album Rating: 1.5

Same thoughts here. When I see this band name I think of being in like 10th or 11th grade and a kid requesting "Hate Me" for our valentine's dance luls (and him being 100% serious and the fact that I hated that song). I'm also trying to figure out why this has a 5 star rating on iTunes and a 3.9 on here (it was a 4.2 before me, granted just a few ratings) and a 4.0 review.. It made think this might actually be good.

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

@BrushedRed The Still reallying is a soothing end, like their Sway album's "To Be". I get the feeling you'd like that track too. maybe yer great Blue October "album" would be grouping all their instrumental songs in a playlist? that might take a few more LP releases though.. now i wonder how an instrumental only album release would sound like..

Album Rating: 4.0

@Brushed, your first mistake was trusting iTunes ratings for anything ever.



Also this rating and review is coming from the perspective of a person who basically grew up with this band as my parents owned copies of quite a few of their albums. Not only that, but theyre one of the few childhood bands I have who I actively listen to now and days because I feel like their material is still super well constructed compared t just about any other post grunge band in the 2000s.



Im a big fan of Blue October, owning all their albums, Justin's book, and also following a lot of his life just because I find it so intriguing how open and how reflective his music is based around his personal life. It doesn't seem as fake as a lot of other bands doing that sad, sappy shit back in those post grunge days and also Ryan, the violinist for the band, contributed to a lot better composition over all int heir sound.



So seeing Justin, who for the longest time havign so much shit piled on him and being able to turn it back around makes me incredibly happy and makes me love this album despite some cheesiness. Of course, I dont really find the cheesiness here overwhelmingly bad like I do for M83's new record. (save for about three tracks.) While I find the rest to be some pretty darn good alternative rock anyways.



I acknowledged in the review that this album would be a little too cheesy for some people and also this review is very personal and biased from a person who has basically grown up with the band perse, so I guess I can see where your hate is coming from.

Album Rating: 1.5

I usually like cheesy though. Your review was well-written and I respect your opinion but I expected this to be a hell of a lot better than it was

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

i really like how things start from "things are great" to "oh.. i'm spiraling downward again.." and then back to "square 1, conflict with everyone and everything". that's what makes the revelation in the last bit of the album so damn good..

Album Rating: 1.5

I just vote for a post rock album from them

I haven't really liked anything they've done past their 3rd album, and the first two are definitely the best and most consistent to me.

I would listen to this album but I can't seem to stream it anywhere.

Album Rating: 1.5

It's on Apple Music 100% certain. I'm assuming Spotify would have it then, too

Album Rating: 4.0

I think it may only be on Apple Music. No idea why they thought that would be a good idea.

Any Man in America was good stuff, I'm glad these guys are still around

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

the band manages to shoot higher on my guilty pleasures list.. i thoroughly enjoyed Heart Go Bang and.. probably enjoy the included Night Mix even more.

@BrushedRed "I just vote for a post rock album from them"

just out of curiosity, what quality of the band/album has you interested for another go?

Album Rating: 1.5

Maybe. I'm an Apple Music user. Like all my music in one place. I just assume everything is on one and the other together. I know Spotify has more users but Apple Music also includes my purchased music and downloads from bandcamp and all so that's why I use it. Don't like to fumble in different apps and UIs Tidal is usually the hip hop ones though I know TLOP is now on Apple Music.

Album Rating: 1.5

For another go, I need more hush and less singing. Man sounds like another Hinder meets Phil Collins act. I mean I guess it's not bad if that's what you want. But to me it might as well be another top 40 doozy. Hence why iTunes is loving this. But their post rock take was actually very stunning and the only moment that made me question if I was hearing this album or something else. Reminded me a lot of Cloudkicker's "Let Yourself Be Huge," which is a compliment in my eyes

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

*snaps finger in agreement*

yes on the "more hush"! i like his voice, especially when distorted, but there are times where i thought he trys to squeeze too much of his words around every corner instead of letting the instrumental sound settle or build. there's a few guilty of that to discuss here. the "The Lucky One" is an example of this but, luckily, pauses at intervals towards the end, letting ends meet up. i mean, i don't mind much but, after AMIA, it's sticking out a bit too far, losing some impact. i still think they're doin' good but have much more potential. i want them to top their earlier efforts under a positive light!

just added that band to my list.. but about the post-rock mention, i wouldn't mind that as the last moments of the album are my favorite thing here. as long as Justin throws some kind of punch, i'll be entertained.

anyway, thanks for elaborating and sorry for the lenghty, spastic post.. there really isn't any other band that makes me REALLY want to type about them.

Album Rating: 4.0

I think you may like blue Octobers first album brushed. More hush and more instrumental interludes.