Emotionalpunk.com
Media Review
Music Quality: 8.0
Production: 8.5
Originality: 7.5
Tracklisting
2. Famine Or Disease
3. From Hell
4. Chinese Organ Thieves
Scene favorites Finch called it quits almost three years ago amid tension between band members but in late 2007 they made their triumphant return to the stage in Pomona, California. Now with a full fledged reunion underway, the band has released their first batch of new music since 2005's divisive Say Hello To Sunshine much to the delight of fans. So how does it stack up against the band’s previous material?
The band shines through right away on the mini-album opener "Daylight." Fans who cried for the return of 2002's What It Is To Burn sound will find their fill on the lead track. Singer Nate Barcalow shows he hasn’t missed a beat as he belts out "Daylight shines on me, burning out the enemy." The song could easily be squeezed in between any of the poppy anthems found on the band’s debut. "Famine Or Disease" and "From Hell" take obvious cues from their forbearers. The verses on "Famine Or Disease" take after its most recent predecessor while the band comes back with big, hook-laden choruses a la 2002. While not overtly noticeable, new additions Daniel Wonacott and Drew Marcogliese, on bass and drums respectively, put their own stamp on the new songs. While my personal favorite of the band's three drummers is Marc Allen, Drew's unique style fits the niche just as nicely.
The closer "Chinese Organ Thieves" is an epic rocker that has the feel of Burn matched with the distorted sound found on Sunshine. Aiding the reminiscent sound is the return of Sunshine producer/friend Jason Cupp. The song starts out with a lonely guitar strum then is carried on throughout by the parade of guitars lead by Randy Strohmeyer and Alex Lineras. The song closes out with a cacophony of noises and screams.
After years of hearing the constant argument amongst fans over which of their previous albums were better (I personally lean towards the angular, experimental sounds of Sunshine), I think this EP will quell the debate and give fans a happy medium to agree upon. The songs are a perfect blend of the band's previous sounds and is the bridge fans didn't receive in between their previous releases. After bands like Thrice, Thursday and Finch tried so hard to break the "screamo" stereotypes media had give them, I think Finch has finally come to terms with their place in music and are content to create a sound that both they and fans can be happy with.