Blue October and The Giver

Today I have some music for you that airs a little bit more on the somber rock side of things. This first song is by the band Blue October. This is a band that is under appreciated in my opinion. Blue October has some beautiful music, unlike a lot of other music out there. Every song has such a deep meaning and a theme that they are able to explain to us through music. This song in particular is a song that really speaks to the depths of humanity. This song reaches out toward the feeling that everyone feels and struggles with everyday. This song is off the latest Blue October album, and I must say this is their best album to date. When I heard this song, I heard with the center of my being. I don't know how to explain it. There is something so inspiring about the lyrics, the way they are sung, and the music accompanying it. This whole song has this inspiration and glimmer of hope in the face of all the adversity we face. This is not a song about the typical relationship drama and breakup heartbreak. This is a song that is about the pain and obstacles we feel everyday from being afraid. Fear is something every being feels and shares and it is something that connects on a deeper level than just being homo sapiens. It connects on the level of humanity, of feeling that humanity. Justin Furstenfeld not only wrote a song this beautiful, but delivers it in an incredibly emotional way. He is known for having a voice that has this natural rawness and gravelly sound to it. But with this song, we get something that is quieter and gentler. We still hear that underlying grit in his voice, but it is not so much rough as it is the vulnerability that we feel. With this song, it sounds like the band gave thought to what they really mean to say as a band. They really took the time to write lyrics that deliver a message particular to the band's intentions. As someone who is an avid Blue October listener, it feels as though they went back to their roots with this song and album and it is simply magnificent. Yes this song does have a quieter take, however, this song does explode with the brilliance of something beautiful and dark. There is this special kind of energy to this song, one that is almost like a purging. When song reaches its height, the brightness and concentration of heavier percussion and more involved instruments makes it sound as if they are surrendering their fears to the world and letting it all go. I actually had the opportunity to meet the band, which was an amazing experience. I can tell you that this a band that lives by their lyrics and these lyrics and instrumentation and music is truly and expression of themselves. This song is incredible and I sincerely hope you check out the rest of the album. Today's instrumental song is from the movie The Giver. Before I had seen this movie, the impression I got from a lot of people was that it was a mediocre movie. When I did see it I couldn't disagree more. I thought The Giver was movie that was so beautiful and captured humanity in a way that a lot blockbuster movies don't. This was a movie that was hauntingly stunning in the way that it truly understood the importance of emotions. It is one thing to feel, but emotions run deeper through the mind and soul than anything else. The score captures that ideal so perfectly and in such a moving manner. Marco Beltrami captured the entire spectrum of emotion in this score through all the incredible pieces and scenes that accompany it. I was blown away by this movie to be completely honest. The music elegantly captured every key scene and takes on this transcendent type quality to show the boundless space of emotion. This movie and score was simply awe inspiring. I hope you enjoy the music and please feel free to comment!