Finch - What it is toBurn

Tue 10th Feb, 2004 in Music Reviews

(DriveThruRecords)

Yay! for pop punk.  Thanks to some commercial radio stations and bands like Good Charlotte, Blink 182 and New Found Glory this is a whole summer of pop – punk!  But don’t put >Finch> in the pop punk corner and stick that label on them.  There are hints of more than boppy, poppy, happy-to-be-alive punk music in here.

Like most good bands, Finch derived from various bands, dating back to the late 90’s in California.  This album, What it is to Burn was released in March 2002.  It reads like a musical live journal of the highs and woes of an emotional relationship. 

I’d like to think that you can tell how good a CD will be from the opening track – a theory that sometimes proves me wrong.  In this case however, Finch has a catchy killer opening track in New Beginnings, which I am more than happy to discover sets the standard for the rest of the CD.   Easy to remember melodies and catchy choruses make this CD one for high rotation on the stereo.  From the opening of New Beginnings, to the ending of What it is to Burn, this album shows their diversity through their ability to blend heavy guitar riffs and with mellow rhythms. 

The big chunky sounds of the guitars and bass in Letters to You compliment the vocals which are almost screamo at times.  I can imagine this band slotting in well to the bevy of summer festivals that embrace emo bands.  Their sound is powerful enough to fill a stadium yet gentle enough to water the eyes of many a fan.  What it is to Burn is definitely the track that you keep singing in the shower long after the song has finished.  I can almost feel the pain that vocalist Nate Barcalow projects in this track. 

Those other tracks that compel you to hit the repeat button include Awake, Stay with Me and Ender.  Finch is a musically diverse band of fine musicians that are in control of their instruments and know how to compose a catchy tune.  I’m particularly impressed by their use of crescendos to touch that emotional nerve that almost everyone can relate to.  This is an album of sadness, gladness, big chunky guitar riffs, smart chord progressions and a rhythm section that chugs along nicely in each song.  The Beach Boys may have wished they could all be California Girls, but I’m sure those girls are glad they have these Californian boys to entertain them.