Ok, lets get this out of the way real quick: Them vs. You vs. Me is NOT Tip, nor is it Greyest of Blue Skies, nor is it Finger Eleven: Self Titled...it is Them vs. You vs. Me. At first listen I, like many other people, started wondering after about 5 tracks if this was actually Finger Eleven. This record is not bad, it's different, and depending how you look at it, being different can be good or it can be bad. Finger Eleven will lose fans with this record, however let me be the first to point out one thing: Each F11 cd sounds different. No one can ever say F11 released "4 albums that all sounded the same", which you could say with alot of bands, perhaps those with an established sound. So with that said, I would be hard pressed to find many people that like the sound of all the records, however you have to give it to a band that it willing to use new sounds and expand their horizons.
I don't think this record is "radio friendly", and I think the lyrics are still meaningful and thoughtful, as they have always been with F11. If this record was "radio friendly" then all the songs would sound like "one thing", which was their mainstream radio hit. I would say the closest to "one thing" is "i'll keep your memory vague" which is a good ballad if i must say.
I'm still listening to this cd and allowing it to grow on me, and I think it will. My advice to anyone who has not heard F11 before "one thing" or "paralyzer" is to pick up Greyest of Blue Skies, and to not expect this record to sound entirely like "paralyzer". To those who have heard F11 before, judge this record as a new entity..NOT in comparison to their previous work.
1. "Paralyzer" - 3:28
2. "Falling On" - 3:07
3. "I'll Keep Your Memory Vague" - 3:46
4. "Lost My Way" - 3:59
5. "So-So Suicide" - 3:15
6. "Window Song" - 3:39
7. "Sense of a Spark" - 2:55
8. "Talking to the Walls" - 4:04
9. "Change the World" - 3:46
10. "Gather & Give" - 3:11
11. "Easy Life" - 5:12
Finger Eleven is the fourth album from the Canadian alternative rock band Finger Eleven. Because of its commercial success, they were welcomed to the SnoCore 2004 tour. "One Thing" became the biggest single off this record, reaching 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. Some of the songs have been featured in various EA games including "Stay In Shadow" (Burnout 3) and "Good Times" (SSX3). In a similar vein, "Other Light", "Conversations", and "Good Times" have all appeared in the Nintendo GameCube game 1080° Avalanche.
There was a Limited Edition version of the CD, which came with a bonus DVD featuring the "Good Times" music video, studio footage, and a live concert video.
Without a doubt, Finger Eleven is one of my current two favorite bands (Incubus being the other). I have rooted for both bands during their "moment of obscurity" whereas Incubus has broken into the mainstream and is now enjoying enormous record sales. Finger Eleven still has not. This band is fantastic, and this album is also fantastic. I will venture to say with the exception of Incubus and Staind, you are not going to find melody and aggression mix so seamlessly together. However, unlike most other entries into the nu-metal scene this album contains NO profanity, or phrases that might be deemed as offensive to women. That takes skill to pour your heart out and not give in to weak, frustrated shouts of aggression. But, what makes this album so great is that it's not a sophomore slump at all...instead it in ways improves upon their first album. The production is better and Scott Anderson's vocal harmonies became more complex...as well as James Black's and Rick Jackett's guitar work. Finger Eleven can make a heavy song without being totally devoid of melody. Actually, it seems like a rule with this band is that you can't have a song without melody...and that is a tool of good songwriting.
This entire CD can be listened to from beginning to end without having to fast forward past any of the songs. This entire album is great but there are a few songs that I'm partial to. "First Time" is a great opener...it sets the tone for the entire album. I will mention 3 others that are worthy to note. "Broken Words" is an absolutely beautiful song...how such a haunting melody and crunching guitars can be blended together is not easy and I challenge any so-called musician to reproduce Finger Eleven's sound as effortlessly. Perhaps, my favorite on this album is "Famous." How anyone cannot like this song is beyond me. If you don't like this song, you either hate rock music or do not like rock music with harmony and melody. And finally the perfect closer: "Stay and Drown." Again, an excellent song and the perfect way to end such a great album.
So, after this glowing report why only 4 stars? I would give it 4 1/2 if I could, but I'm not going to give it 5 stars like every fan would do for one reason: "Drag You Down." Unfortunately, this song has the potential to drag the album down. I feel as if this song was made to attract the nu-metal crowd. It is totally uncharacteristic of Finger Eleven's other music. While it does have great guitar riffs, there is very little melody, and the lyrics are in a word: mindless. Very monotonous, very simplistic and Scott barely even sings. I did like this song at first...but as I start to grow out of my nu-metal phase I see this song for what it really is. I can't blame them for trying to appeal to this crowd. They are far better than most bands out there and when their label spends all their marketing money on the sickening, posturing Alice-In-Chains clone that shall remain nameless...anyone would be desperate for a little self promotion. Here's hoping people will have their "arms wide open" to some REAL, original, honest music. So without further adieu, go out and support this great band.
1. "First Time" – 4:26
2. "Drag You Down" – 3:21
3. "My Carousel" – 3:43
4. "Sick of It All" – 3:18
5. "For the Ocean" – 2:56
6. "Broken Words" – 3:27
7. "Suffocate" – 3:44
8. "Bones + Joints" – 3:47
9. "Famous" – 4:08
10. "Walking in My Shoes" (Depeche Mode Cover)" – 3:52
11. "Stay and Drown" – 4:23
Finger Eleven are one of those great bands who have made a career out of sounding nothing like anyone else and avoiding trends. Their debut album, "Tip," was hardly keeping with the times. In 1998, they didn't sound like rap-metal, nor did they fit in with typical alternative radio. I hear a lot of things on this album that have been copied by a lot of bands to follow, which makes Finger Eleven one of the most underrated groups of the past decade. They've obviously had a bit of influence, even though hardly anyone knows their name.
"Tip," while not being as dark as the ultimately superior "The Greyest Of Blues Skies" or as sharp and catchy as their 2003 self titled album, still sticks out for me. As a debut, Finger Eleven sure got their feet on the ground rather quick, establishing a sound all their own. Fans working backwards through the groups catalogue may find this album a little harder to swallow, because it's not an instant click. You must listen to this album a few times before you get it. There are songs, though, that definitely catch you from the beginning. "Quicksand" and "Above," two of the best known songs from this effort are great examples of this, and "Awake And Dreaming" remains one of my favorite Finger Eleven songs, also a sign of what their second album would sound like. But hands down, the best song the group has ever written, in my opinion, is the title track "Tip." This song is so addictive. My first listen to this song nearly unhinged my jaw. If this song doesn't get you going, you just might be dead!
Finger Eleven have come a long way from this album, and admittedly have made better music (although a lot of fans will strongly disagree with me), but "Tip" still stands as a stellar debut effort. Few bands find their sound this quick, and coming from a band who used to go by the moniker, Rainbow Butt Monkeys, it's rather impressive. "Tip" is just an album that all fans of rock music can appreciate. From the heavy stuff to the more tender side, it's got it all.
Letters From Chutney is the debut album recorded by the Canadian post-grunge band The Rainbow Butt Monkeys, now known as Finger Eleven. It features a different sound than Finger Eleven's subsequent albums with funk and heavy metal influences. The album is currently out of print, however it is available on amazon.com for special order.
The name of the album alludes to the Bruno and Boots series of books by Gordon Korman, featuring two youths who attend a boarding school named Macdonald Hall in the fictitious Ontario town of Chutney.
1. "As Far As I Can Spit" – 3:56
2. "Danananana" – 4:54
3. "Brat" – 3:57
4. "Circles" – 4:31
5. "Spiderprints" – 4:01
6. "Nibber" – 3:34
7. "Dropping" – 3:41
8. "St. Louis" – 3:15
9. "Scrumpy" – 3:22
10. "Cake" – 4:08
11. "Cookin' in the Kitchen" – 5:22
12. "Let's Pretend" – 5:16
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