Review Summary: Header: Review 4 of 7: Artistic, energetic, sad, so many emotions and feelings radiate from Blue October’s senior release. Crafted with care and diligence and given a expansive bow, Foiled is one of the greatest, and overlooked, albums of the last decad
Is a five far too much for a Blue October album? Probably, but I don’t care, because quite frankly if there is any album that deserves one, it’s this one. After their nationwide exposure given thanks to History For Sale’s single “Calling You” Blue October finally had their own spotlight in the nation, and everyone was anticipating what they would be presenting to their now global audience.
Come 2006 and we we’re presented Foiled, an album that excels in every aspect without a single visible flaw. What makes Foiled stand out from Blue October’s other works, and places it on the top? Simple, it’s charm. Blue October clung on to the ideal of making an album that can be attractive and appealing without ever going overboard. It’s result is an album that simply can’t be matched by anything, it’s a blend of everything a band should strive for, and it completes a connection to it’s audience that will welcome them in open arms throughout it’s journey.
Everyone in the band presents a own side of them in the music, it connects deeply on an emotional level. Each track completely solid as Blue October experiment with a lot, and I mean a lot of different styles and themes. The production of the album is tight, each song is catchy and well constructed as each member throws their own twists and talents in the albums track. Not one track on here is like the other, the album digs deep in its genres and styles with creativity flowing uncontrollably. Rather it’s a hard hitting grunge tune like “What If We Could” or a Violin and Harmonica driven “Let It Go,” whatever it is, the album probably has it. Hell, the album even goes as far as to have a New Order/Ciara inspired track.
The shining points of the album though, despite how good they are, is when the album pulls away from the energetic In-Your-Face styles and instrumentals and center around the lyrics. Lyrically this album is a behemoth, without doubt the best from Blue October and the league they rest in. Justin Ferstenfeld’s words connect to it’s listeners on a very home hitting level. Rather it’s matching the feelings of being in love (See: You Make Me Smile) or heartbreak and confusion (See: Let It Go) Justin delivers his words in magnitudes. All with amazing vocal work of course.
Look no further than “Hate Me” the album’s first single. It’s a powerful track that speaks in volumes, it shows Justin Furstenfeld struggling to understand why the people around him, especially his mom, are so supportive of him despite how messed up he sees himself. The lyrics are breathtakingly honest. Painting a very accurate description of the emotions heard in Justin’s turmoils. It’s a song that sells the album, seeing the confusion and frustrations of Justin makes you feel sorry for him deeply and makes you want to support him with his life. It calls out to you on a deep level, making it one of the albums best.
The band too is worth mentioning, because they do their best on the album. Ryan’s upbeat Violin work on “Into The Ocean” utilizes his talent along with Justin to bring the brilliant story of depression and suicide. Hudson’s smooth and polished guitar work in the majority of the tracks can correspond to the happiness or sadness being presented in the tracks. Jeremy’s skip-beat drumming in “Everlasting Friend” is a jazzy upbeat tune that backbones the track brilliantly.
The tracks on the album never falter or fall flat. Dragging their weight quickly and orderly through the albums forty minute running time you will sit through each track and thoroughly enjoy every last one of them. The Brand New-Esque bass pounding track “Drilled A Wire Through my Cheek” and the smoothing collab between Justin and Imogen Heap “Congratulations” every track is stuffed or stripped of many different bells and whistles and each one works perfectly.
The album closes with another mellow track, 18th Floor Balcony, my favorite off the album with a soothing acoustic guitar as Justin pours his heart out with soul crushing lyrics, as the song starts off happy and slowly descends into heartbreaking, the song leaves you feeling emotional. It’s raw energy makes you feel sad the whole way through, it’s truly a beauty when a song can push you as far as this one can. It’s another fitting closer in the lineup of Blue October albums.
Overall Foiled is a work of art. Each song presenting a different style of music without it feeling gimmicky or pointless with breathtaking instrumentals and lyrics that allow its listeners to connect with Justin Furstenfeld, it’s an album that will go down in my memory forever, and hopefully others too.
Recommended Tracks:
Into the Ocean
Let It Go
Congratulations
X-Amount of Words
Hate Me
She’s My Ride Home
18th Floor Balcony
