Blue October

Blue October

History for Sale (Brando) Justin Furstenfeld, frontman for San Marcos' Blue October, has no problem wearing his broken heart on his sleeve. In fact, it's what has made this atypical modern rock group such a dynamic force within the usually whiny frequencies of post-grunge. It's also what has made History for Sale, the band's third LP, their best work to date. Blue October has not only matured as a band, but Furstenfeld has grown into the songwriter 2000's Consent to Treatment promised. Whereas the band's earlier work was about finding solace in depression, History for Sale finds its strength in Furstenfeld finding strength in himself. Instead of dwelling on where he's gone wrong, songs like "Calling You" and "Clumsy Card House" are about Furstenfeld transcending expectations to meet his potential and rediscovering the ability to fall in love in the first place. It's not a feel-good album by any means, but History for Sale does deliver some of the most optimistic cynicism since the heyday of Everclear. At the same time, the album finds Blue October using colors it's never experimented with. "Come in Closer" is a wintry, fireplace sex song, enriched by delicate beats and a backing vocal from Zayra. Finding love, losing love, and rekindling the flame rarely sound this honest and outspoken. What's more, it all exists on a bed of music that feels like it matters.