Blue October-Approaching Normal-Review by Me for iTunes.

I have yet to find an artist that paints a clearer picture of turmoil, anguish, and self-loathing to self-destruction to self-reflection to self-worth more scarringly vivid than Blue October's Justin...not that that's necessarily what I'm searching for in a musical artist, but the beauty and brilliance backing up his lyrics has the power to capture a person's heart...not matter the temperament...this album covers the bases.

Been Down offers the ache of knowing life’s ability to be magnificent, yet admitting that right now it’s just not; Jump Rope beautifully captures a child-like optimistic splendor, both in melody and lyrics; while Weight of the World and The End prove that the real world is out there lurking, and sometimes it’s ugly and hard and unfair...and that we’re human, and sometimes we sink to depths that we aren’t proud of.

Over-all, I think this album digs out all the raw emotions that we think make us a little psycho...which are the emotions that Justin seems to think are bridging his gap from crazy to normal. Either way, crazy or not, as long as I feel I’m in-tune with his lyrics, I feel I’m in good company.

Alcohol And I

Alcohol seems to have different affects on people...some become more open and honest and the conversation becomes so deep you could swim in them for hours...whereas others become loud and obnoxious and in desperate need of everyone to know their short-sided thoughts. I, honestly, don't feel as if I'm the ladder...not to say that I find myself an insanely intriguing person, but I think I can hold a relatively interesting conversation for the most part. Drinking, to me, isn't an escape, but an embracing of myself and the world around me. And although I feel a lot of disdain for the world at times, its beauty is never lost on me. I don't typically drink much either...one or two...three if I'm feeling really feisty. Others drink to elude themselves from the world...they detach their mind and let it wander away. I like my mind...and it worries me when it's away. I don't care to be around people who drink themselves into a mindless stupor...especially if they're people I care about when they're sober. It makes me feel like that's what we amount to...a worthless conversation about how so-n-so looks like a cocker spaniel and should die...pretty much a forgettable memory. It's petty and boring and I don't wish for my life to be made up of numerous forgettable moments...I want a worthwhile life, and memories that correspond with it. I know life has it's pitfalls and hardships...I know that sometimes escaping is the only option that holds to reason...but if it's always the best and only option, then something's askew, something's not okay...and if it's a life-time with me that you wish to escape, then run! Stop drinking and just run...because I don't want to spend any of my time with someone who drinks to forget it.