Finger Eleven CD

Initial pressings of FINGER ELEVEN contain a bonus DVD.
Finger Eleven: Scott Anderson (vocals); James Black, Rick Jackett (guitar); Sean Anderson (bass); Rich Baddoe (drums).
Recorded at Groovemaster Recording, Chicago, Illinois; The Village Recorder, Los Angeles, California.
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.] ~ Eduardo Rivadavia
It's not too surprising that Ontario, Canada band Finger Eleven would wind up on Wind-Up Records. With their driving guitars and brooding vocals, they definitely seem like kin with labelmates Creed, Boy Sets Fire, Drowning Pool, 12 Stones, et al. What is fairly surprising is that with their remarkable knack for hooks, their first two albums, THE GREYEST OF BLUE SKIES and TIP, weren't more widely heard. However, that changed with this relentless, infectious, and eponymous record.
The opening single, the ironically titled "Good Times," layers guitar over tribal drums, as hyper-insistent vocals assert themselves in a fierce chant before breaking into an undeniable and melodic chorus. It shifts from segment to segment, even drifting into prog-metal. Throughout this album, Finger Eleven cleverly digs into '70s rock, while referencing more contemporaneous hard rockers like Tool, and throwing in ample hooks.