After winning a talent contest from a local Ontario radio station the Rainbow Butt Monkeys had enough money to produce their first record Letters From Chutney, back in 1994. After this they had a very strong Canadian following.
Finger Eleven became the name of the group in 1997 for their breakthrough "Tip" which was released on Mercury Records, a Canadian record label. It was re-released on Wind-Up records in the states in 1998. Vocalist Scott Anderson said "When everything is pushing you in one direction and your instinct drives you in another- - that's finger eleven". The name came from "Thin Spirits", a track on
Tip. The name change also brought on a change in sound. Originally a funk/heavy metal sound as the Rainbow Butt Monkeys, a post grunge sound as Finger Eleven, and have continued on with that sound. After the release of
TipRich Beddoe replaced Rob Gommerman as drummer.
The track "Suffocate" appeared on the soundtrack to Scream 3, and "First Time" and "Drag You Down" appeared in the English version on the Dragon Ball Z movie "Lord Slug" Since their Sophomore album. Finger Eleven have kept their selves busy. Coming out with a self-titled album in 2003 with commercial hit "One Thing"which hit number 16 in the U.S. They also recorded the theme song for WWE superstar Kane "Slow Chemical" which also landed on "The Punisher" soundtrack. "Sad Exchange" was on 2003's Daredevil soundtrack and "Stay in the Shadows" had an appearance on the video game Burn Out 3. Finger Eleven is also currently working on new material.
Finger Eleven is
Scott Anderson- Vocals
Rick Jackett- guitar
James Black-guitar
Sean Anderson-Bass
Rich Beddoe- Drums
"Greyest of Blue Skies" opens with single "First Time" which solid sinister sound immediately grab you into the song. With solid lyrics about a faltering relationship and regrets, and a solid sound quite possibly the best track on the CD. Following "First Time" is the second single from this CD "Drag You Down" which opens up with a sound that reminds me of a merry-go-round from hell. The entire song repeats its dark lyrics, which can get kind of annoying, but the intensity Scott Anderson produces here just captivates you. Both of these Songs appeared in the English version of the Dragon Ball Z Movie "Lord Slug" Useless information, but that's what I'm good at!
"My Carousel" is a great track about someone who feels they are starting to lose it and they are on display and the only escape they have is their "carousel". The sound of this song is amazing, the transition from the softer sounding verse to the hard hitting chorus is great. "Sick Of It All" starts with Scott Anderson practically whispering then transfers into a grunge sound. The chilling lyrics are about someone who blames themselves for a girls death. An outside voice provokes him about his guilt.
"For The Ocean" is yet again another solid track on this album. Lyrically sound and audibly amazing. "Broken Words" is one of my least favorite tracks on the album. The lyrics are great but what they do so well in the earlier tracks I feel they kinda fail here, they don't transfer the sound between the verses and chorus that well. They really don't seem to go together.
"Suffocate" is a decent track, nothing spectacular. It opens up to what reminds me of a toxic sound. With lyrics of forcing conformity and submission, but towards the end of the song Scott Anderson hits a couple very high notes and it is quite haunting.. "Bones and Joints" the last single on the record, and after hearing it you can tell it was a good choice for a single. The song opens up right into the song, no intro for this one. The lyrics are fantastic. They are about a persons view on his relationship with his significant other. Pretty much saying he has been through the ringer and faced the pain and anguish of the rise and falls, and that she has lost what made him love her, she lost herself, and if she doesn't give it all it's done.
"Famous" is a filler track, but not a bad one by all means. The track doesn't bring any new calibration or anything new, and honestly the best part of this song is the chorus. However I do really like the lyrics "All I want from you my dear friend I don't even want". "Walking In My Shoes" Is the only song on the record that was not written by some one in Finger Eleven. Which it pains me to say is my favorite track lyrically. Which is pretty much saying, before you come to any conclusions about me, try to live a day in my life, you'll stumble in my footsteps! The sound however isn't the greatest. It was primarily a filler track. "Stay And Drown" The final song to this very rock solid album. My least favorite track however. It lacks the lyrical talent shown throughout the rest of the record, and the sound drowns out what ever good from it.
In conclusion,
Greyest Of Blue Skies is a very solid album. Every track brings its own cookie to the jar. The only draw backs I can see here are in "Drag You Down" with the repetitive lyrics. Also the last track just seems thrown together in complete filler fashion. Quite possibly my favorite CD in my collection, right next to Dashboard Confessional's "Places You Have Come To Fear The Most" Quite a different sound huh?
Final Rating 4.5 outta 5!
Tracks to listen to- First Time, My Carousel, So Sick Of It All, and Bones And Joints.
Big Effin Tone
