Michele Roger

     It was first a harp student and her parents who introduced me to the band “Blue October” a few years ago.  While most people are attracted to the band’s hard edge rock and the sexy voice of lead singer, Justin Furstenfeld, I of course, being me was attracted to the intricate inner workings of the band’s violinist.  When the writer, Stephanie Meyers brought Blue October to the Young Adult writer’s market with her playlist for each chapter of her ”Twilight” series, the students in my music studio clamored to learn more of the music.  I was again impressed with Blue October’s ability to tell a compelling story both lyrically and musically in the standard “three minutes or less” format.

     Recently, the band released its latest album, “Appraoching Normal”.  Musicians will appreciate this album for the collaborative work the band did with Steve Lillywhite.  Fans all around will appreciate the narratives portrayed as the band does not stick to painting pictures like most bands.  No, Blue October takes the listener by the collar and throws them into the speeding train that is each song. 

     Personally, I have two favorites on the album already, just after listening through the album once.  The first, on a personal level is the song, “My Never”.  While cleverly incorporated into the Twlight series mentioned above, this song tugs at personal heart strings.  It brilliantly showcases the softer side of the band’s ability to portray an impossible love.  I attended an acoustic set in Chicago last year where Furstenfeld explained the back story of this song and its definition of a “My Never”.  It speaks volumes.  My second favorite takes us in the opposite direction. 

     Recently taking to writing horror and thrillers, the final track on “Approaching Normal” is a masterpiece.  In this track, a homicidal man takes us through the mental images as he stalks his ex wife and her lover.  What is so fantastic about this track entitled, “The End” is that it takes us from beginning to end in what would take me a novel to describe.  It’s powerful, its horrifying and it lands us smack dab in the middle of good love gone terribly wrong.  Those who appreciate a good story should take time to listen.

Travel Music for Vampire Posers

    I recently ventured with my daughter to Chicago on an all girls trip.  Mind you, I took the mini get away with some trepidation.  Typically, the two of us are a bit like oil and water.  To keep things smooth (read to prevent us from arguing), we each loaded up our I-pods (more…)