This is Blue October's debut album. This smooth synthpop band from England (not to be mistaken with a band by the same name from Texas) has been compared to Erasure, playing a melodic and somewhat romantic style of synthpo... more »p with memorable songs that will make this an album to remember for years.« less
This is Blue October's debut album. This smooth synthpop band from England (not to be mistaken with a band by the same name from Texas) has been compared to Erasure, playing a melodic and somewhat romantic style of synthpop with memorable songs that will make this an album to remember for years.
"Too often, comparisons of synth bands to the old masters (Depeche Mode, Erasure, Pet Shop Boys, New Order, etc.) are made unfairly. Most bands thus compared are given the benefit of the doubt. They rarely live up to the comparison. Usually, these bands make pathetic attempts that come no where close to the creative power of their forefathers. Usually...
Blue October is an exception to this rule. While there is not an original note to be found, Blue October (BO - unfortunate acronym) are the champions of imitation. They DO Erasure. This is no small feat. These are not Erasure covers. These are Erasure songs never heard before. Vince did not write these but if Andy were singing, you'd never know.
The voice is not Andy and that's the give away. Otherwise, this is classic Erasure. Well... son of Erasure."
Excellent!!!
Todd Tosti | San Jose, CA United States | 02/28/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There are some CD's that take a while to grow on you. There are others that you know are great from the very first listen. This is one of the latter. The CD is full of some of the most melodic and catchiest synthpop songs you'll hear. The sound is original and emotional. I've heard the band being compared to Erasure, and I suppose that may be one of the closest that a well-known band comes to Blue October's style, but Blue October certainly has a unique sound of its own. After listening to the album, I was left with wanting more immediately. There are also a few CD singles from this album that have some great songs that are not available on the album, which make the CD singles worth picking up too. I highly recommend this album!"
If you enjoy synthpop, you NEED this CD
Randall W. Hanson | Minneapolis, MN | 02/26/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"You really owe it to yourself to pick this one up and add it to your permanent collection. When Blue October first released their single, Incoming (title track), I knew we were all in for a treat. Rarely does an electronic synthpop band have such catchy melodies AND grace these hooks with excellent vocals. Blue October pulls it off, and does it with style. There are bouncey dance songs, sonorous ballads--all with melodies that will have you humming along with the first listen! I kept this CD in my car for an entire year straight, and I did a LOT of driving.Sadly, the lead singer is no longer with us, but that has not stopped the band. With a second lead vocalist, their sound has hardly changed, while their musical complexity has grown. I will buy EVERYTHING Blue October releases.Don't stop with just this CD. Grab this one and Preaching Lies To The Righteous. Anyone who loves synthpop--heck, anyone who loves good music--will not keep these on their shelves."
This is a keeper
gotchaz | New York, NY | 02/26/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I remember when Blue October just started, it reminded me of Erasure. Since I'm one of the biggest Erasure fans (can't wait to go to the NYC concert this March), I love to listen to similiar sytles such as Blue October, Neuropa, Avante Garde. These are the happy, bubbly light new wave/synthpop that I grew up with. This album has some energetic songs as well as some slow songs. It's the right blend to make this album a hit! Pick it up!"