Review Summary: Review 1 of 7: The humble beginnings of a humble band
The year was 1998, Grunge was declining, Nu-Metal was stepping into the limelight, electronica was becoming more mainstream as acts like Massive Attack, Aphex Twin, and Fatboy Slim we’re hitting up radio stations, Punk Rock took a new face as The Offspring and Green Day dominated charts with their releases, and so much more. Artists both old and new were in a frenzy to see where they would be going next. In all this confusion as many genres of music started clashing in the mainstream radio there were many albums and groups that remained invisible to the world as the music industry was taking a new chapter in it’s life.
Enter Justin Furstenfeld. A man from Houston, Texas started the band Blue October in 1995, shortly after the failure and splitting of his high school group The Last Wish. It was around here when Justin Furstenfeld in his words “Fell Apart” battling Bipolar and depression Justin would become addicted to over the table drugs Paxil and Zoloft which would result in staying at a mental institution for a couple years.
After sobering up, mostly, Blue October would record and release its first studio album The Answers. The words from a man who has suffered all his life, the music in this album hits hard, offering a very comforting and real look inside the mind of someone who's been hurt by their own selves.
The opening track “The Answers” lightly dances around Justin’s drug addiction, quirky and smooth is the Violin work of Ryan Delahoussaye, which gives the album the moody, melancholy vibe that paints the pictures expressed by the band so perfectly. It never just feels like a violin, the instrument quickly places and cements itself deep into the structure of the music, making it just as prominent as a guitar.
Without all the bells and whistles that a large production studio gave Blue October with their release History For Sale and onward, much of the music is stripped down, simplistic, with nothing more than Justin, a violin, and the backing of electric and acoustic guitar and drumming that gives each song a level of purity that can’t be matched with anything else.
The album touches mainly on Justin's depression and drug addiction, two topics that though a little dark are easily picked at to help implement the mellow violin workings that ties the entire album together. It’s no surprise that the violin craftsmanship is the main focus of the album, as its present in every single track playing alongside Justin no matter what. It’s nice, though it can get a little too redundant and it can take away from the other members of the band, who also deserve a little recognition for how brilliant they set the mood for the albums content.
Each song brings something to the table, rather its the bittersweet melody of “The Darkest Side of Houston's Finest Day” or the artistic lyrical content of “For My Brother” there aren’t many bad tracks on the album, keeping solid the whole journey through. Though the lyrics of the album aren’t that great, as a lot of them seem unfocused and the metaphors used in some will most likely leave you confused to what point is exactly trying to get across, (See 2AM Lovesick) the energy and melodies of the band will quickly make up for it.
The album closes with “Black Orchid” written by Justin when he was on the edge at fourteen, it was a confession to his mom about his depression hitting the breaking point. Personally the best track on the album as it implements everything that the band does best. Delicate instrumentals as Justin pours out his heart without holding anything back with hard hitting down to earth lyrics. It’s a memorable closer, much like the closing tracks of every Blue October album.
Honest, down to earth lyrics, beautiful crafting of the violin with delicate vocals and instrumentals, and an emotionally pure sound and vibe. The Answers is the promising debut that any band should strive for. If not lacking in the lyrical department this album would be an essential in not just Blue October’s discography, but in the 90’s as a whole.
Recommended Tracks:
The Answers
Black Orchid
For My Brother
