Songs From an Open Book

I'll be honest, about 10 minutes into this album, I was pretty disappointed. I didn't do much research on this before buying, and assumed it would be all new songs. After recognizing the first few, I was a little confused.However!! I listened through the entire CD. Listening to music, followed by a personal story, more music, stories, etc. I was floored. I have never been able to see Justin live, and this felt almost as if I was sitting right there in front of him at a concert. His stories were funny, sad, and inspiring. And his music is beautiful as it always is.I was glad I gave this one a chance. It's become my favorite to listen to on my way to work! My only problem is with Amazon, my CD came with a cracked case, but luckily the CD inside was fine.(PS - I believe "Sway" was the album I had meant to order. I'll be purchasing that one next)

Anyone who actively follows Blue October and Justin Furstenfeld's life knows a lot of the stories that are present in this album. With that being said most fans won't find anything new in this album. However, this album has a way of connecting with you on a much deeper level than anything heard before. I cannot begin to describe how much you feel like crap after hearing Hate Me or the way the Any Man in America spoken word pulls at you before making you tear up when the Worry List starts - you just have to hear it. I have been fortunate to meet Justin on multiple occasions, gone to his Open Book show in Lubbock, TX and even saw him in LA for his intimate session prior to the kickoff of his Open Book shows and album release - this album literally embodies everything Justin is and captures every element from these solo shows.

This amazing cd provides such wonderful insight into Justin's soul. Gut-wrenching at times, his narrative explains so much about his incredible talents. This man wears every one his nerve cells on the outside of his skin. He bares his soul, his pain, his trials and tribulations so that others, including myself, will realize that we are not alone. His music, his words, his talents and his heart are all showcased in this most amazing cd. It shpowcases so many of my most beloved songs.You will only love and appreciate, not only the music he gifts to us, but the man he has always been so brave to show us all.A most wonderful gift to anyone on your gift list, including yourself.

Having followed Blue October since 2002, not much of the story presented by Justin between his songs was new to me. The acoustic, mellow nature of the songs themselves was more subdued than the originals, many of which I prefer. What this album is good for is for new listeners to get a summary of the struggles and triumphs that Justin has gone though in his twenty years of making music. It was beautiful to hear it all laid out again especially from the much-better place that Justin seems to finally be in now.

Justin Furstenfeld... You know from BLUE OCTOBER... Do I really need to say more? This album is iconic... Justin explains the stories behind several of the songs he has written in between singing them acoustic style. This album will give you chills and make you fall in love with Blue October and Justin and his family all over again... Or for the first time if this is your first BO experience. No band ever has ever made me feel so much emotion and so close to their music. Enjoy!

Fabulous! Justin is one of America's best "story tellers" of this decade. His stories will make you laugh, they will make you cry, they will make you love him all the more. Worth buying! Even better when you see his show in person. He puts his stories in the form of a song and demonstrates his talent as a musician and singer. A very kind soul. You will truly enjoy this album. (All ages seem to enjoy his stories)

This albums is for the books. The music caters to new and old fans alike. The meloncholic and raw acoustics brings a whole new level and meaning to the songs we have all heard a million times over. I have been a fan since 2000 and I can say with certainty that Justin's voice, when its pure, uncut, and raw, is one of the most beautiful voices I have heard. This album is just that: Pure, beautiful, and honest.

We were fortunate enough to see Justin perform his Open Book show in Nashville. Amazingly breathtaking! The raw emotion and deep feelings he expresses touches my soul. I'm thrilled to have this cd! Thank you, Justin, for so eloquently sharing your thoughts on issues so many of us experience - the lows and the highs - the sadness and the happiness. Thank you again for making me not feel alone.