Finger Eleven CD Reviews

FINGER ELEVEN

"Finger Eleven" (Wind Up; 2003)

Finger Eleven's self-titled release is more of the same from the band, which is a good thing if you're a fan but not such a good thing if you're not. It's a disc of mostly only passably entertaining songs, highlighted by some that really stand out ("Good Times" and "Stay in Shadow" are easily the best tracks on the disc).

The majority of the tunes on this CD are rockers which offer nods to grunge, nu-metal and emo. When things slow down (as they do on "Thousand Mile Wish") they get rather dull.

Finger Eleven may not offer anything stunningly fresh here, but they know how to craft songs that are hook-laden without being overly radio-friendly and this CD is certainly listenable, especially about halfway through when a number of strong songs follow one another ("Conversations," "The Last Scene of Struggling" and "Panic Attack.")

"Finger Eleven" also includes a DVD featuring live performances, behind-the-scenes footage and a video for "Good Times."

Finger Eleven: Scott Anderson - vocals; James Black - guitar; Rick Jackett - guitar; Sean Anderson - bass; Rich Baddoe - drums.

For more information, check out http://www.fingereleven.com.

"Tip" (Wind Up; 1998)

Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter

Hailing from Toronto, Finger Eleven's debut, "Tip," is a cross-cutting journey through a wide variety of modern hard rock musical territory. Finger Eleven present their musical vision with a late '90s flourish and lyrical topics as though they were a latter day Pearl Jam. Finger Eleven are making their claim to be a part of the recently revived, "no longer on life support" heavy rock scene (including Sevendust, Flight 16, and Kilgore).

The major fault with the disc is that it goes by too quickly - it wasn't engaging enough on the first listen. The vocal and music hooks are competent enough - they are simply an acquired taste with patience providing the best rewards.

However, there's no denying Finger Eleven's talent and melodic sense. Some of the better tunes include the incessant energy of "Quicksand," the classic pop leanings of "Above," the dramatic "Costume For A Gutterball" and the staircase riffing of "Glimpse." The best tunes stand out immediately because of the twisted shapes that are provided in the song structures and manic shards of musical interplay. The band moves easily between pulsating hard rock riffs and watery interludes which goes a long way to providing each song with its own unique moods.

Some of the weaker songs include the faux orchestra strings in "Awake And Dreaming" and a host of other tunes that have generic hard rock riffs ("Condenser," "Thin Spirits" and "Temporary Arms").

I simply can't escape the fact that Finger Eleven sounds too much like Bush - not in the literal sense, mind you - it's just too radio-friendly for comfort. Besides, where is Bush is now? But maybe I'm being too harsh - there's no telling if Finger Eleven will suffer the same fate as Bush.

Finger Eleven is comprised of Scott Anderson on vocals, Rick Jackett and James Black on guitars, Sean Anderson on bass, and Rich Beddoe on drums (however, drums on the disc were played by Rob Gommerman). Production, recording, and mixing credits go to Arnold Lanni (who has worked with King's X and Our Lady Peace). Essentially, all the songs were written by James Black, Scott Anderson and Arnold Lanni.

For more information check out the band's website at http://www.fingereleven.com/ and learn more about their unique sound and vision.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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