Blue October UK - Walk Amongst the Living [Album]

A Different Drum

August 3, 2009, 05:01 PM

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I picked up a copy of the new album from Blue October UK, 'Walk Amongst the Living' and was kind of excited because I love a couple songs by Blue October off the album 'Foiled.' Well, after listening to the first few tracks I began to wonder how their sound had changed so very much. I did a little Googling and it was actually Wikipedia that set me straight. I like the band Blue October from Houston, TX, USA. 'Walk Amongst the Living' is the new album from Blue October UK, from Essex, with whom I was unfamiliar. Completely different band. Hence, the addition of "UK" at the end of their name I suppose.

Blue October UK plays electronic pop, which is not normally my thing. I try to keep an open mind to all music though, so I gave it a fair listen all the way through.

The first thing I will say to anyone putting this album in for a listen is don't lose heart when you listen to the first half. Whoever sequenced this album for them needs a little more practice. The first song, "The Miracles Gone," sounds like a Duran Duran song that didn't make the cut and was never released. It is probably my least favorite track on the album. In fact, the whole first half of the album was kind of weak, in my opinion, with the exception of the the second track, "City Lights," which is actually a pretty little ballad. After that, the next few songs are derivative of 80's British pop. Think Wham B-sides.

I had all but written this off, but starting from track 6, "Taking on This Love," things took a turn for the better. This is a high-energy, techno-heavy pop song with a catchy hook. The next track, "Ascension," is built on a fat piano chord progression and features some distantly wailing guitar in the background. The remainder of the album has some pretty good songs too. "The Girl from Ohio" is a danceable instrumental club tune. "Spinning on the Fullstop" is the heaviest groove on the disc, and though it's still unmistakably Pop, it's kind of a raunchy rocker with growling guitar and a strong beat. Finally, "Non Compos Mentis" is another danceable techno instrumental.

Ultimately, I must confess I wasn't crazy about this release. A lot of the album walks well-travelled ground and doesn't bring much new to the table. I didn't find the melodies particularly inspired and the sound is tired.

As I stated already, though, electronic pop doesn't do much for me in general. Abe Lincoln said, "People who like this sort of thing will find this the sort of thing they like." Fans of the genre may find 'Walk Amongst The Living' very appealing, but don't look for anything ground-breaking.

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