Finger
Eleven (Self-titled)
Label: Wind-Up
Records
Rating:
First and foremost, a band’s job is to
rock. That’s why rock comes first in the phrase “rock ‘n’ roll”. Anything
else: fancy duotone uniforms, political views, a horn section, is merely
pretense, additives that can either hinder or augment the effect based
on their application. When done well, there’s a lot to be said for the
simple combination of drums, a bass guitar, one or two six-strings and
some singing. Think the Beatles, the Stones, the Experience, etc. It may
sound like I’m giving a class in theory, but there’s a point to all this.
We’ve entered an era where it seems easy
for any band with these minimum elements to get signed but hard for many
of these bands to write anything worth listening to more than once or sometimes
at all, as if we’ve finally reached the dregs and are forced to listen
to every semi-respectable “modern rock”-sounding bar band the labels can
find. I’d actually almost completely abandoned the idea that the simple
band structure alone would be enough to provide something anywhere near
rock, searching instead for acts that include pretenses like comedy (Liam
Lynch), keyboard nostalgia (Hot Hot Heat) and disco metal meatheadism (Electric
Six), not to mention hyper-intellectual free jazz-based prog rock (The
Mars Volta).
Given all this, it comes as great surprise
that one of the most refreshing discs I’ve spun all year should be the
new album by Finger Eleven, a self-titled venture that’s nothing but modern
rock bar band-ism but actually remembers to rock. Spawned from the same
label that’s given us Creed, Evanescence, and Drowning Pool (Requiescat
en pace, Dave), Finger Eleven is that same simple five-piece I mentioned
earlier, giving us an album of twelve (the safe CD number) songs that for
all intents and purposes should be unremarkable but in fact is not. Is
it the instrumentals? Well, there’s a pretty decent guitar solo on “Almost
Elements,” but I’m not sure that’s it. Is it jam-packed with stand-out
tracks? Well, I can tell you it’s a damn shame that “Good Times,” with
it’s positive ‘keep your head up’ message and high energy, isn’t on the
radio; it’d certainly fit right in, as would “Other Light,” the opening
track. Is there some anguish? Well, I think I heard some yelling on “The
Last Scene of Struggling.” Are there tender AOR ballads? Absolutely. “One
Thing,” a back-half track, makes a pretty radio ballad and actually starts
off reaching for the calm greatness of Queensryche’s “Silent Lucidity.”
VERDICT: Frankly, this is a pretty straightforward
album. There’s no pretense or distinguishing gimmicks, and in the end that’s
probably what makes this a good album as opposed to damning it to mediocrity.
Not a classic by any means, but certainly better than 75 percent of the
simple bands I’ve heard this year. If nothing else, it will restore your
faith in the basic elements of rock.
CD Info and Links
Tracks: Other Light
Complicated Questions
Stay In Shadow
Good Times
Absent Elements
Thousand Mile Wish
Conversations
Last Scene Of Struggling
Panic Attack
Therapy
One Thing
Obvious Heart
Posted by stompy:
ya'll like this band?? you need to check out "SUICIDE STOMPBOX"!!
WWW.SUICIDESTOMPBOX.COM
GO FOR IT !
Posted by HAWK X:
I'm just writing to say F11 Rocks!!! I've seen 'em live and everything they do is wicked including their concerts so if you get the chance go see 'em!!! ROCKIN' from CANADA!
Posted by tal:
best band ever, canadian music rocks! i still favour greyest of blue skies over tip and self-titled, but the new one is pretty damn close.
Posted by Heather:
I think that this cd is awesome! Finger 11 is the best band ever and I love them so much for what they've done! Rock on!!
Posted by kittycat:
I THINK JAMES IS HOT! and f11 kicks ass! keep it up
Posted by pay_f11:
ive been following finger elevn since they were known as the rainbow butt monkeys, out of all there albums i would have to say that the greyest of blue skies was the best, but the new self titled album dosnt fall too short behind, the only negative thing id have to say is that finger eleven better not start trying to please the media and forget about there fans... if they can stay on track, we'll be sure to see alot more of them... peace
Posted by PJ:
My 9 year old son bought $$X3, for those of you who aren't familiar, it's a snowboarding video game. Finger Eleven has a track on it. We are all now hooked on this band, and hope they tour in the U.S. Also I love how they are promoting opening bands for their Canadian Tour. Perhaps they'll consider the same in the U.S. I'm from So. Cal. and know a great local band looking for their big break. If you like F11, check out Weedeeter, they are a Santa Clarita Band and can be found on any search engine, but for some reason this site will not let me post the website address.
Posted by panda:
look, finger 11 has been a great band with great songs even when they were Rainbow butt monkey's. to me, by the looks of it, they'll be going on and on like RHCP, or the rolling stones, etc... i know i wont stop listening to their music for years to come just as long as they keep on making them. rock on
Posted by reven:
theye got a lovely tune!
Posted by Mr. Suave 2K4:
Whoever wrote that article mentioned that "good times" is supposed to be a song with a positive message, its actually not. The band wrote it because they were tired of hearing ppl say "remember the good times, dun worry" simply because to them thats like gettin stuck in the past. The chorus melody is actually quite sarcastic, while the verses sound more rough. oh and if u are wondering, the meaning of finger 11..... "when everything is pointing you in a direction... but something points you in a different one... thats finger 11"
Posted by miss:
been looking for ages to find another band that can rock as hard as korn or disturbed and finally found them but from what i read from you guys am i too late? korn are selling themselves out and losing touch, hope f11 havnt started just when i find them.
Posted by Breoke:
First, I think this cd kicks ass, as do thier other 3 (yes three, if you count letters to chutney when they were the rainbow butt monkeys).
Second, Its absent elements...not almost elements =)
Posted by borntorock:
I have only just found out about f11 (literally 10 mins ago) and as soon as i heard a clip of the first track on this album i knew they were something damn great! i cant wait to get the album cuz this band f*cking rock!
Posted by Queen of the World:
Am I the only fan that can spell correctly?
Posted by o5SaInTs52:
F11 is a good ass band! they just need to get on pace... Goodluck
Posted by brokenwordz:
I think that Finger Eleven is the greatest band ever
Posted by Too Opinionated!:
I am a long-time fan of F.11 and...
I Think the Self titled album is good, just its not AS amazing as their Older albums.. Greyst of Blue Skies is BY FAR their GREATEST album. (by the way the song is called Absent Elements, not Almost Elements..Just a correction!) and becides, if you actually listen to the lyrics of the songs, there meaningful. it shouldnt matter if the instrumental composure is loud (Which is ALWAYS good) or soft, which is okay too. Hense, no two bands have the same sounds. and Finger 11 Is DEFiNATLY original. though this cd is not as great as TGOBS, or Tip, It is still a good cd.
and "Insert Retarded nickname here" I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH YOU!
Posted by NIKI:
THAT CHRIS JONES IS A HOTIE
Posted by JakFlak:
I am a long time fan of Finger Eleven. I've indulged in every aspect of their music, including their early work as the Rainbow Butt Monkeys, and I can say that I am definetly not dissapointed by this latest of attempts. It's has become somewhat of an extensive effort just to find decent music anymore, but i can always rely on Finger Eleven. As for the self-titled album itself, I found it to be a departure from the eccentricity, or pretenses as you put it, of "Greyest of Blue Skies," but a successful one. On another note, I have listened to their acoustic versions of their singles and enjoyed the change of pace. I was extatic when I heard their two acoustic tracks, "Thousand Mile Wish" and "One Thing" on the album. As you put it, though, a band needs to remember to just rock, which is why I always loved Finger Eleven. Quite amusing that it is their song "One Thing" that has finally brought Finger Eleven to Mainstream radio. All in all, this record will bring you some comfort when faced with the harsh reality that good music is becoming mor and more scarce
Posted by Death From Above:
finger eleven rule
Posted by Death Froma Above:
finger eleven rule
Posted by Marianne:
What happened to the Rainbow Butt Monkeys??? I remember seeing these guys play at small venues (like Manhatten Rocks) in Burlington, ON, but now they really have a completely different (and dare I say) sell-out image. Oh well, at least they're finally getting somewhere, and I suppose there are sacrifices and compromises that they're willing to make to get there.
Posted by Marianne:
What happened to the Rainbow Butt Monkeys??? I remember seeing these guys play at small venues (like Manhatten Rocks) in Burlington, ON, but now they really have a completely different (and dare I say) sell-out image. Oh well, at least they're finally getting somewhere, and I suppose there are sacrifices and compromises that they're willing to make to get there.
Posted by drainanator:
they r the best ever wicked guitars, drums and vocals I cant wait till their next cd...
Posted by Spectre:
Not quite as good as their previous efforts, but a solid realease nonetheless. One of the best CDs of 2003.
Posted by marc ramage:
the album is amazing i would give it 500/5
Posted by Crazy Girl:
I LOVE IT!!!! "One Thing" is an absolutely brilliant song, and I think that it should be Top 40.
Posted by aShadeOfGrey:
Finger Eleven rocks, i love all of the cd's they have put out.
Posted by The Original Jackass:
They were sh*tty, half-assed poseurs when they were called the "Rainbow Butt MOnkeys" and they are still sh*tty, half-assed poseurs today.
Posted by mem:
i love f11, ive went and saw them when they were rainbow butt monkeys at sound of music and have followed them ever since. It is nice to see someone from Burlington doing so good. I always go see their shows when they come to Toronto and love them live more than anything. You guys rock, keep up the great work and keep the beats coming.
Posted by keloran:
what i think is that finger eleven are very talented and they are quite fun to see live. they have always been great and they always will be. yeah! :)
p.s.-james is still sexy!!
Posted by dalcon:
k finger elevn deals explosive music that rocks with meaning and not just that you see a style in their crazy music that you end up craving.
Posted by Leslie T:
Great review. This CD, esp One Thing, was great!
Posted by syafiq:
finger eleven songs kick da ass.
Posted by imoan:
i love it
Posted by moi:
The son "One Thing" is the best song. it explains alot of feelings that some people find hard to express!!!
Posted by Dylan S:
This CD, and the rest of their cds for that matter, kick ass, enough said.
Posted by Shayn:
I'll say the same thing I've always said when it comes to Finger 11... meh.
Posted by Kayt:
I saw Finger Eleven last night at the Evanescence gig and they were fab! They have a new massive fan :)
Posted by F11 fan:
Finger Eleven is like the best band in the whole freakin world! Their best song,according to me, is Tip!! I love all of their songs though!!! I saw them when they came to Vancouver with OLP and it was an awesome concert!! Oh and James Black is like the hottest, sexiest person alive!! heehee....
\m/ rock on \m/
Posted by Melissa. L.:
Finger Eleven is the greatest group around. You all rock. I love the song One thing, it's an amazing song
Posted by sillyxstrings:
Finger Eleven kicks major BootY!!!
Posted by Nikki:
I gotta say..I love F11 so much i would probably do anything to see them live in concert. If i had one wish it would be to meet the band, especially James Black; he's my hero.
Posted by Crosby:
i love the song ONE THING it is AWESOME!!!!
Posted by Po3dDy:
Finger Eleven kicks ass! They're great! i've seen them in holland and they're cool! :D
Posted by shamy:
I think you guys are awsome ur music gives me an awsome felling like things arent as crappy as they apear and you give meaning 2 life
Posted by ERIKA:
THIS album rockes so much, scott, james, sean, rich and rich are soo amazing...i love it
Posted by misty:
i know james black is damn sexy.finger eleven is awesome
Posted by keloran:
finger eleven is the best band ever and james is sexy
Posted by Monika:
James Black is so HOT! (damn)
Posted by Deb:
C'mon, when a band rocks like this, ya just gotta say so. Forget the comparisons, each band has it's own sound and F11 has the best.
Posted by Jenkins:
Finger Eleven is a Phenominal band, ive seen them 2x live and am going again soon. They set the standard for new music
Posted by Insert Retarded Nickname here:
While finger eleven is definitely one of the most solid bands I've ever heard, I don't feel that this album was better than the last. The Greyest of Blue Skies showed them growing leaps and bounds over their first venture, and showed a great diversity. Certainly this disc has contrast between tracks from ballad to mad rocking out, but it all still fits a certain formula. TGOBS is still a superior album, in my opinions.
I'd like to point out two things while I'm here. The spelling in these comments is incredibly (I would have preferred the word f*cking right here) pathetic, as is most of the content. The lot of you should be ashamed of yourselves. Which leads me to my next point. Shame on the author too for being a dolt and mislabelling the title of one of the tracks. If that was an attempt at making a clever play on words, it should be back to media studies for you, my friend.
Posted by Jessie:
Awesome, awesome cd.
Posted by SaTaN:
Finger Eleven Roxx Tha House!... Kane The Best!!
Posted by xxxcoldxxx:
Yeah I've liked finger eleven since thier first cd tip and they're just awesome live. they're a great band everyone should check out
Posted by nik:
I reviewed this on Nikstar.net, and I have loved f11 since the beginning; it's a pretty good album.
Posted by enpsyche:
I am also a tool
Posted by enpsyche:
I think Dan is a dumbass,his review sucked and the new F-11 is the one of the best rock albums in years!
Posted by Blind:
Finger Eleven: BEST ROCK
Posted by muisc:
The new Finger Eleven CD kicks ass!
Posted by Heather:
Finger Eleven is AWESOME! They are very good artists!