Finger Eleven - Them Vs. You Vs. Me Review
Posted by Brandon Ratliff on 03.06.2007
"Finger Eleven's trailer was stolen half-way through the session. If you have it, give them a call. They'd like it back, please."
Finger Eleven – Them Vs. You Vs. Me
Release Date: March 6, 2007
Label: Wind-Up Records
Produced By: Johnny K
First Single: Paralyzer
Recommended Downloads: Paralyzer, Sense Of A Spark, I’ll Keep Your Memory Vague
Finger Eleven is:
Vocals: Scott Anderson
Guitar: Rick Jackett
Guitar: James Black
Bass: Sean Anderson
Drums: Rich Beddoe
Tracklisting
1. Paralyzer
2. Falling On
3. I’ll Keep Your Memory Vague
4. Lost My Way
5. So-So Suicide
6. Window Song
7. Sense Of A Spark
8. Talking To The Walls
9. Change The World
10. Gather & Give
11. Easy Life
What is it with bands taking forever between albums these days? Instead of spending another sentence name-dropping, I’ll just say that it’s been nearly four years since Finger Eleven’s self-titled album, which was released June 17, 2003. While not as successful as a whole album as 2000’s The Greyest Of Blue Skies, Finger Eleven did have the unexpected hit “One Thing.” Recalling the days of that being an active single, you just could not get away from that song, no matter where you went. Oddly enough however, the song didn’t seem to get overplayed, as many stations still work it into their rotations…by request. So has the success and the long delay between albums been good for the outcome of Them Vs. You Vs. Me?
Click the picture to buy the album.
It may take a listen or two to grow on you, but there is no denying that first single “Paralyzer” is an extremely catchy rock song. Or is it a dance song? Maybe a funk song? See where I’m going with this? For as often as many reviewers will credit a band for transcending various genres over the course of their record, few will do it as seemingly erratically as Finger Eleven does. According to the press release I received with the album, “These compositions are of varying styles and colors, ranging from rock to country to dance to funk to old 60’s songs.” And nothing could be closer to the truth. The band has always been keen on combining many different genres in their music, but never has it been taken to the degree it has on Them Vs. You Vs. Me.
Like any album though, this one does have a couple of faults. Vocally (not lyrically though mind you), Scott Anderson seemed as if he was trying to play it safe a bit. Finger Eleven showed the singer displaying a huge and extremely dynamic range, but Them Vs. You Vs. Me seems as if he was content with sticking to a similar vocal style found in The Greyest Of Blue Skies. Is it bad? No, it’s just that after his phenomenal performance on the self-titled, fans would probably come to expect a bit more out of him in that department.
When the band released Finger Eleven in 2003, many critics hailed it as a one of the best rock records in a long time. This quote was pulled from the review of the album here at 411Mania:
“In a rock world where everything sounds the same, Finger Eleven emerges from the pack and creates songs for themselves, and for the fans. It's doesn't belong to the muddy puddle that is rock, it creates a splash in it, and for that, this album is worth picking up. 12 different worlds on one album rather than one entire world, this album will indulge any fan of rock, and impress anyone who isn't.”
Yet Them Vs. You Vs. Me still manages to up this. There’s not much more that can be said, but don’t come into this album expecting another bland radio rock band, because you won’t get that. But if you are looking for something a little different, something a little funky while rocking, something a little country whole rolling, Them Vs. You Vs. Me is the record for you.
The 411: A band that only gets better with (excessive amounts of) time, Finger Eleven have created their seminal album with Them Vs. You Vs. Me. Sure, we know Scott Anderson probably could have expanded his vocal range a little more like he did on Finger Eleven, but besides that, you really can’t find much of anything to complain about with this album. Some of their fans that are more attuned to the rocking side of Finger Eleven may be a bit turned off as this album has a lot less of the harder songs that Finger Eleven or The Greyest Of Blue Skies had, but the more open-minded fans will find plenty to appreciate and enjoy here.
