Crazy Making

by Justin Furstenfeld

Okay, you asked for the book, and here it is. This amazing package includes Justin's first book spanning over 100 pages and including all lyrics from The Answers through Approaching Normal, and Justin's own thoughts on the how, why and when many of these songs came to life. The perfect companion piece to listen through all of the albums. This is a high quality hard cover, full color book.

Genres: Nonfiction, Music

109 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2009

Reviews

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any Blue October fan will LOVE this book of song lyrics!! It is beautifully illustrated and offers the readers even more of an opportunity inside the mind of Justin Furstenfeld (lead singer and lyricist of B.Oct.). This book is a definite necessity for any Blue October fan!

Blue October is a seriously UNDERstated band and does NOT get even a FRACTION of the credit that they deserve. It's true what they say, "Video KILLED the Radio Star." In today's world of "bubblegum pop" where most artists voices are "auto-tuned" to sound good, it is nice to have a REAL artist who writes about TRUE life and sings with such passion that you FEEL each and every word he writes/sings!

I had the AMAZING opportunity of seeing Blue October LIVE, in concert, in a VERY SMALL venue located in Atlanta in October of 2011. They were UNBELIEVABLE!!! I was worried that they might not sound as good in person as they did on their CD's but I couldn't have been more wrong! They sounded even BETTER in person and the intensity of Justin could be felt throughout the venue. It was the BEST concert that I have EVER been to! What surprised me the MOST was the fact that even the small venue wasn't filled to capacity! Great news for ME because I got to stand just feet away from him....but I just did NOT understand it!?! Would people really prefer to spend their money on seeing crap like Brittany Spears and Taylor Swift (who are BOTH "auto-tuned" on their LP's) than go and see an AMAZING band like Blue October?!

I have a feeling that Blue October will continue to win fans all over the globe and if you want the incredible experience of seeing them LIVE then I would recommend that you see them in concert SOON before their popularity really explodes and you no longer have the option of seeing them at a SMALL and PERSONAL venue verses and huge arena (which I am SURE they will start to fill soon!)

[AmbersBarsandBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Justin Furstenfeld, lead singer of the band Blue October, is a gifted lyricist and musician. He creates such depth of feeling with his words. You can't help but empathize with his emotions, whether you have actually been in those situations or not.

The book includes all the song lyrics from the band's various albums, with hand written thoughts, from Justin, on each song. Also included is artwork that Justin created, and photographs.

Justin is brilliant, and this book is a thing to cherish. A must have for all you Blue October fans. I am so glad I bought it.

Warning: there is some explicit language. Not a book for the kids.

[Beatrix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful, honest and inspiring book. A must-read for every Blue October fan! I got mine signed on the 19th of October during JF's M&G + open book performance in London, which makes it even more special <3.

[Astoria (Jax) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nobody promised that this book was going to be an in depth look into the band or their music. What it helped me do was understand Justin a little bit more, to see where he was coming from with each song, even if his explanation was only a line or two long. I loved it.

[Alexis Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been in an obsession with Justin and the band since 2006 and now have all of their albums (Live and Acoustic) and know all of the song’s by heart.
I saw them in a small venue that want even filled to capacity and I was personally hurt by it, I could imagine how crappy that is for them to know/see from the stage. I attended the concert by myself because no one I know is as interested in them as I am, even with my own personal promoting of the band. And of course they were fantastic! It was the best concert of my life, and even better was the meet and greet prior (Justin signed my book!!!!). They were so friendly and humble, showing us just how thankful they were for having fans like us. Once Jeremy started banging on the drums, Brian swayed his bow and Justin opened his mouth, I was in a trance. The love they have for music – their music – and us was felt in that tiny theater.
All of these “plastic mainstream” bands get so much love that they DO NOT deserve! These wonderful guys write all their music, and they are original and good that words fail me.
This book is just as great for all the reasons they are. There are cool pics and little notes about each song, giving you some insight on just where these songs derive from. Although I wil say I did expect more from the notes, more of a story line, more of an explanation. But these notes are form his hand, and his mind - So I wouldn’t have it any other way :)I LOVE YOU JUSTIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dave Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a good book. im a big blue october fan. this is a must book for every bookshelf.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Justin is an AMAZING songwriter! If you have not had the opportunity to read Crazy Making, you are missing out on some incredible lyrics.

[Michelle (TwilightCougar) Tompkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my most precious books! Signed by the band BTW!

Became obsessed after I realized Stephanie Meyers used their music to write MOST of the Twilight books...
They are all over her playlists on her website...they inspired my beloved stories and I can see why...

Justin did one of the Twilight COncert series with Stephanie and one of the Breaking Dawn special editions is about Blue October and most of my TWI fans have NO clue...

This book explains one of th ethought processes behind one of the most musically ingenius people of our times...

LOVE LOVE LOVE it!

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these guys!!!! And to have the songs, Justin's words, put into a book....well it's just another reason I think he is so AMAZING!!!! He holds no part of himself back, it's all laid out in his words. Heartbreaking, joyous, angry, threatening,and lifechanging. Our experiences might be very different but on some level we can all relate!

[Julie Ann Baker Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you only listen to one Blue October song, make it “Congratulations” featuring Imogen (“Immi”) Heap. I was a fan initially because of her, but now even more so that I’ve seen Justin & friends in concert a few times. There’s a lot of real stuff going on in the words and music. But I must say that the words outside of the context of the instrumentation aren’t quite as effective for me. I thought I could read through this like a book of poetry, but it just didn’t work like that. However, it’s a fine souvenir for fans of the group; along with the astonishing prolificness of lyrics it includes bonus content such as band and family pix, 12-Step journey references, and bits of handwritten confessional memoir tying it all together.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a huge Blue October fan so I had to get this book. It took some times because I would read through the lyrics and then listen to the album.

For each song was handwritten notes by Justin on what was inspired him to write the song. I love his openness.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful and hauntingly honest lyrics from the band Blue October.

[Courtney Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely amazing. I will always be inspired by Justin Furstenfeld.

[Jonathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am reviewing the iBooks version.

The main thing you are getting are Justin's lyrics, which are very personal to me, and most of their fanbase.

While I could consider this cool to own in print form, it is very pointless for an ebook, as I could easily just google them.

I got this with the hopes of it having more of backstory and history to his songwriting, but the only supplemental things were rare scribbled sentences at the bottom of select pages. The iBooks version does include audio to many tracks, as well as music videos from Any Man in America, and two from Sway.

I would suggest just buying the print version of this if you want it for the lyrics.

The extra scribblings, articles, and a few photographs were not worth getting this to me.

It also left a bad taste in my mouth that Stephanie Meyer wrote the introduction.

Comparing her and Justin's artistic value to me is like a fine sandwich, and a watered-down, very derivative one dipped in glitter and horrible characterization.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a huge, HUGE Blue October fan, so of COURSE I love this book. I was hoping for a little more insight via Justin's comments, especially in the Foiled section because that album has always been the most "mysterious" for me. I bought it when "Hate Me" came out, and thought it was really strange, but I liked it. However, I didn't get any of their other albums until years later, and I deeply regret that. Most of Justin's songs are so brutally honest you can't NOT know that they are about one person's very painful journey through mental illness, romantic agony, a failed marriage, and the birth of his daughter. The book is enough, but would have been better with MORE. I also wish I could have gotten the third edition, which has not yet been published, as it would have included the lyrics from AMIA (which are NOT in the liner notes of the CD). Was it worth the money I spent? Hell yeah...bottom line.

[Adrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I was maybe expecting a little bit more than what is there, but I was so excited to get this book that what is there made a big difference in how I listen to Blue Ocotber's music. When I first got it I read through a couple of notes. When I got the chance I grabbed my mp3 player and the book and listened to some songs while reading through it.

I've killed my mp3 player battery many, many times since getting and reading this book. Justin's words and lyrics are so powerful. He has such a way of converting every feeling that the human body is able to feel into words.

This is a great buy if you can really relate to Blue October's music, it's amazing to have a little peak into the mind of Justin Furstenfeld.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's simply 5 out of 5 because I'm a huge fan of Blue October’s music.

If you're a fan, than you will appreciate the insight into the inspirations for different songs. No doubt, Justin's account of the trials and tribulations of the music industry paints a rather bleak view of what occurs in building a band....clearly Blue October is "doing it for the love" of their family, fans and ultimately their own artistic expression.

If you are a rock and roll fan than you will appreciate the blood sweat and tears that goes into building a band and being able to rise above the personal and professional hardships that happens while trying to have longevity in the industry.

All and all, Crazy Making ROCKS and you should read, read, read it!

[Katey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am was a fan of Blue October. I enjoyed their music very much, especially Justin Furstenfeld's lyrics. However, as a book, especially one that was delayed shipment way past its promised date, I am sorely disappointed. It just doesn't hold much water (but plenty of angst and sadness!) and I was expecting many more thoughtful personal editorials accompanying the lyrics. What I got instead were the hurried one or two sentence scribblings.

It didn't help my feelings on this matter any by having Stephenie Meyer write the intro either.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a huge Blue October fan for years but I just received the book as a Christmas gift this year. It is far more than I expected. It feels like you are reading Justin's diary. The notes about each song are scribbled down and some words are misspelled. If you just read the words of the songs, they are beautifully poetic. It gives you a totally different look at the songs that have been listened to a hundred times. It made me cry. I would definitely recommend it to any Blue October fan.

[Sonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was disappointed that the lyrics were only accompanied by a line or two by Justin, was expecting it to be a little more detailed. I picked it up at a Blue October concert in Chicago, great souvenir. His lyrics give me goosebumps.

[Tashia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for the Blue October fan, but don't expect a lot of personal biography. It is mostly song lyrics with some hand written notes by Justin and pictures. A very quick read but a must have for Blue October fans.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wish there was more insight into his lyrics. But still very good.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

it is a catalog of the songs with handwritten notes. cool but not enough for a 5

[Crystal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Borrowed this from a friend. It was an interesting read, but I think I'd prefer just listening to the music.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! It's a must have for any Blue October fan.