Album review: BLUE OCTOBER – This Is What I Live For

Up/Down – Brando Records [Release date 23.10.20]

The tenth studio album from Blue October recorded during the current pandemic. All bar two of the album’s thirteen songs were solely written by Justin Furstenfeld. Producer Eric Holtz is another key element to Blue October’s sound as he is heavily involved in the musical side of the album. Surprisingly this hasn’t faired as well as previous albums just missing out on the US Billboard album charts top 100, peaking at 102.

Like any Blue October album Justin Furstenfeld doesn’t hold back lyrically or emotionally. You would be hard pushed to hear a singer more emotive when singing his songs. There is plenty of positivity – ‘Fight For Love’ (which features his daughter Blue Reed’s first recording!) and the title track, featuring Longwave’s Steve Schiltz Blue Reed. However, the demons of the past still get acknowledged on opener ‘I Laugh At Myself’ and ‘Moving On (So Long)’, which has the pop appeal to draw in fans of say Train.

They certainly hit the melodic pop sweet spot on ‘I Will Follow’, whilst ‘Completely’ will become a romantic tune for many I am sure.

The guitars may have dropped out of much of the band’s sound but they have replaced this with addictive synths/effects and dance beats. ‘Who Do You Run From’ is a good example where the acoustic guitar gives way to piano/keys and cinematic outro. Impressive listening that’s for sure.

2020, more than any other year in recent times, needed good music to help us through and Blue October have scored again. Fans will be pleased with the band’s latest musical delights that’s for sure. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)