Album Results
Album Reviews
It's always somewhat confusing when bands go eponymous on anything but their first album. More often than not, such a decision designates a mid-life crisis of sorts, where said artists are simultaneously trying to reaffirm their identity while reinventing themselves for the future. Canada's Finger Eleven obviously arrived at these crossroads with their third set of foreboding, angst-ridden alt-metal, yet, ironically, the album easily qualifies as their most confident and sincere statement to date. Where its very solid, but concession-prone predecessor, Greyest of Blue Skies, had smacked of pre-fab radio-bound nu-metal sleekness, Finger Eleven represents a far more honest and confident reflection of the band's natural instincts. Clearly the sound of a band embracing their personal creativity wholeheartedly -- no matter what commercial fate it may bring them -- first-half winners like "Complicated Questions," "Stay in Shadow," and the strangely Devo-esque "Good Times," undoubtedly stand out as the most distinctive work of the band's career. Unfortunately, similarly revealing second-half offerings like "Conversations" and "Panic Attack" don't quite measure up in terms of quality songwriting inspiration; and the band's sporadic forays into acoustic numbers, though well-intentioned, exude greater technical competence than outright inspiration. A mixed blessing to be sure, it's a fair assumption that Finger Eleven signifies a personal victory for this Canadian quintet, but only time will confirm its prophecy of a new dawn for this well-intentioned group. [Finger Eleven comes packed with a bonus DVD featuring live performances and behind the scenes studio footage.] ~ Ed Rivadavia, All Music Guide
Track Listing
| 1. Other Light |
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| 2. Complicated Questions |
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| 3. Stay In Shadow |
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| 4. Good Times |
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| 5. Absent Elements |
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| 6. Thousnad Mile Wish |
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| 7. Conversations |
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| 8. The Last Scene Of Struggling |
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| 9. Panic Attack |
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| 10. Therapy |
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| 11. One Thing |
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| 12. Obvious Heart |
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| Featured Review | |
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The Holy Pictures David Holmes |
| Four years in the making, since venturing into the rugged rock-jazz-blues arena with The Free Association; to prepare his fourth proper album David Holmes has put aside Hollywood commitments that began as the soundtrack composer for Steven Sorderbergh movies and has nearly become Holmes main activity as forthcoming soundtracks for the Bobby Sands biopic "Hunger" and "Five Minutes of Heaven" undeniably prove. "The holy pictures" is named after the pub his father was a regular of and conceived as a tribute to the city of Belfast and its people. On it our favourite North Irish DJ gives another lecture on eclecticism and takes a 180 degree turn towards the trendy road where shoegazing and krautrock meet. Next to his cinematic instrumentals, the main surprise here is Holmes singing for the first time, in a not too different manner to Jesus & Mary Chain's Jim Reid. Best example is the first single "I heard wonders", helped by Martin Rev, one half of 70s icons Suicide. Other highlights include the closing track "The Ballad Of Jack and Sarah" dedicated to his parents. Altogether, is a beautiful and rewarding record; his most personal to date. | |
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