Photos and review by Ilya Mirman
Blue October Show Photos HERE
Formed in 1995, Blue October is an alternative rock band hailing from Houston, Texas. The lineup still includes three of the original (and two long-time) members: Justin Furstenfeld (lead vocals, guitar), Jeremy Furstenfeld (drums, percussion), Ryan Delahoussaye (violin/viola, mandolin, piano, backing vocals), C.B. Hudson (lead guitar, backing vocals), and Matt Noveskey (bass guitar, backing vocals).
To date, the platinum-selling band has released seven albums, and in September 2013 embarked on an international concert tour in support of their latest release – an ambitious concept album, Sway.
Sway is Blue October’s first album since their 2011’s Billboard Top Ten debut Any Man In America, and its 13 songs, all written or co-written by vocalist Justin Furstenfeld, embody the band’s revitalized energy. Recorded at the Fire Station Studios in San Marcus, TX earlier this year, the album’s track-listing boasts lush, impassioned songs such as “Bleed Out,” “Angels In Everything” and “Fear,” and the edgy rocker “Put It In.” As Justin puts it: “This album is about why life is so beautiful. It’s about facing fears and recognizing miracles every day. It’s about enjoying yourself and realizing that life is not something you can half-ass.”
Known for their dynamic and passionate rock energy, Blue October began writing the new album after a series of tour dates in 2012. According to Justin, “I had about 60 songs…we recorded fifteen, and then decided on thirteen of those for the album.” Adds Jeremy, “The band is in a really great space now, everyone is healthy, happy, and doing well. That’s changed our point of view, and you can hear that new perspective on the album.”
On “The Sway Tour,” Blue October is joined by their former guitarist, C.B. Hudson (who played with the band between 2000 and 2010) and is premiering songs from Sway, along with their earlier fan favorites.
This evening band was in top form, enjoying the crowd’s energy, and effortlessly switching between ethereal ballads and their harder songs. I counted at least a half dozen songs from Sway (Sway, Light You Up, Fear, Debris, Bleed Out, and Things We Do At Night), along with plenty from their earlier body of work (She’s My Ride Home, Say It, HRSA, James, Chameleon Boy, Calling You, X Amount Of Words, Hate Me, The Worry List, and Italian Radio). This was clearly a special treat for the crowd, where easily half sang along to every verse.
Photos From The Show
If you haven’t seen Blue October, check out the videos below, check out the album Sway, and catch a show!
Sway – Lyrics & Video
We sway
Grabbed her by the hips and hand
Then off we went
Across the sanded floor
She said “that’s not sand, it’s salt
It will get worn like we did before”
I only wanna dance with you
Every time I try
We only get an hour or so
It’s time to get personal
We’ve got these times of our lives
Lets take this time to let it show
these are ours.
These are ours
We sway
The moon shines down
And everybody’s safe.
Christmas lights all day
And rightly so
We feel high as fuck
And everything is good
Good to go
I watch the snow fall down
Feels great to be honest
Forget about the trouble
Forget about the drama
Cause I ain’t Casanova
Baby I can dance for days
This time with you
Is just amazing in so many ways
I only wanna dance with you
Every time I try
We only get an hour or so
It’s time to get personal
We’ve got these times of our lives
Lets take this time to let it show
these are ours.
These are ours
We’ll stay until we want to
That’s how it use to be
We never fell apart
We stay here until we want to
Now we just sway
Come on…. Dance with me
These,
These are ours
These,
These are ours
We sway