Finch entered the music scene with their 2002 debut What it is to Burn. After traveling the US to support their album they hit the studio to put out their follow up to this album. Unfortunately, I think there is and will be many fans that are disappointed with the sound of this album. I found the vocals to actually resemble something close to Billy Talent. For anyone who is not familiar with this artist, let's just say the vocals are on the whiny/nasally side. I decided to break this CD down by each song, describing my feelings and thoughts as I listened to it. Track 1 "Insomniatic Meat": Your normal Screamo song. Right off the bat you notice the nasally lyrics. The song also has a good scream added to it and you will find yourself screaming along with "This is the worst thing that you have ever done". The last minute of the song is just noise and in my opinion not appropriate for being the first song on the CD; it would have been a better way to end the CD than start it.
Track 2 "Revelation Song": This just sounds like a continuation from the previous song. About two minutes into the song there is some dark talking that sounds like it is from a horror film or something.
Track 3 "Brother Bleed Brother": The best part of this song is the first line "Hate sin not the sinner". A good message to give to our young listeners.
Track 4 "A Piece of Mind": I found this to be one of the better songs on the CD. I liked the fast paced chorus "A pound of flesh for regret. Tied to marionette. Limp around my neck". What does that means? I don't have the slightest clue. This is how a lot of the CD is though so it is something to get use to. The songs are filled with one liners that may or may not relate to the previous verse.
Track 5 "Ink": I like the beginning guitar part to this song it is more catchy than the previous songs on the CD. Unfortunately, the vocals ruin it with a gothic creepy voice at the beginning of each verse.
Track 6 "Fireflies": Finally some real vocals to start a song, but soon to follow is the nasally vocals. The line "Fireflies illuminate your eyes" is sung pretty well and it is catchy.
Track 7 "Hopeless Host": Now is the time where I start to get a little bored of the vocals. The scream is good but the normal "singing" is getting old and the CD is only half way done.
Track 8 "Reduced to Teeth": The best part of this song is the singing started with the line "Chasing demons dress like me". I wish they would do more of this real singing than the other stuff. Maybe their next CD will go in this direction. This song would be perfect if there were no nasally vocals in it or any of the synthesized vocals that you can't understand. Also I am curious why it seems like all of a sudden people are using things about "the hands that feed". Adema: "The hand that
feeds cut off at the wrist", Nine Inch Nails: "Will you bite the hand that feeds you" and now Finch's "That bite the hand that feeds". I'm sorry but I don't like songs that use clichιs lines like that!
Track 9 "A Man Alone": The song starts like a happy go lucky song; I could almost picture swing dancing to it. Two songs in a row that have some good vocals.
Track 10 "Miro": Three tracks in a row with some good singing! Again only to be followed with the nasally vocals!
Track 11 "Ravenous": This song also contains some more unusual vocals.
Track 12 "Bitermarks and Bloodstains": For the most part, the wines and nasally sounds are not found in this song but the ones that are there are more manageable; either that or I am finally just getting use to it. Either way, there is more singing and it is much better to listen to.
Track 13 "The Casket of Roderick Usher": This song pretty much contains all of your screaming for the whole CD. It sounds like a vocal synthesizer is used to mask his voice this crazy. It is probably one of the heavier songs on the CD but that does not make it one of the best. It is heavier as in a bunch of noise than heavy and good to rock out to. Now when your parents come into you room and ask what that noise is, you have a better explanation; "Why it is the Casket of Roderick Usher mom!"
Track 14 "Dreams of Psilocybin": The final track contains a borderline annoying sound effect. A blend of singing and talking at the same time sounds like there are two TVs on in the same room. For me that just ruins to song and I don't care to hear much more.
I'm sorry to say it but I think the band went in the wrong direction with this CD. I think Finch fans should check out sound clips or borrow it from someone before purchasing this CD because it is not like What it is to Burn. I think there will be a new fan base for Finch and I don't know whether that is good or bad for them. Personally, if I am in a 'Finch mood' I am still going to go back to listening to What it is to Burn. I still insist anyone who liked Finch before to check it out because you still may like it. If you didn't like Finch before, maybe you will now.
I give this CD 3/5 stars.
