January 9, 2011 | Awake & Dreaming

With the released of Life Turns Electric, their 6th album, Finger Eleven has evolved their music — something that is rare amongst their peers. Last we heard of them they were basking in the success of their huge hit Paralyser of their 2007 album Them Vs You Vs Me. Like most bands, the Canadian 5 piece has changed their sound. For fans of the band (and not just a particular song or two), going along as they progress on their musical journey, you get to experience the different sound.

It certainly is Top 4o radio friendly hard rock which the group does better than most. The groove kicks in with Any Moment Now, a bit aggressive but still beat-worthy at the same time. Scott Anderson does not over do his vocals but gets it just right, starting of at a comfortable medium pace. Likeable guitar riffs are what the band does best and Pieces Fit is no exception with a very groovy lick courtesy of the duo of James Black & Rick Jackett. It’s no surprise at the prevalence of the guitars on the album since it was self-produced by the band’s guitarists but they have done a fine job. Whatever Doesn’t Kill Me is a semi-ballad is a very nice track but just falls short of being one of the very best. I feel that they should slowed down the track a lot more. By the way, I’m loving the vocals by Scott – his voice certainly has become even more of a strength for the band.

Living In A Dream is the younger sister of Paralyser and also features a very good drum+bass track. It’s a cool and could easily be a dance floor hit. Disco rock or disco metal is the name given for this time of song/music and F11 do it justice. Good Intentions kicks it off with foot tapping tune that backs the singing with a catchy underlying guitar hook. It is hard to stop bopping you head to this album as well as tapping your foot. Stone Soul does not sound like anything F11 have ever put out before. It sounds more like a pop-rock band, the kind that I do not like. This is so far the weakest song on the album. Ordinary Life follows and shatters the illusion of what F11 usually sounds like. I’m not sure I like the direction the band are heading to on the basis of these two songs. Still with “I just wish the world would sing with me sometimes” sings Anderson, and if performed live, this crowd pleasing bouncer is sure to have a venue full of people singing along, even if it’s the first time they have heard the song.

Don’t Look Down sounds a lot more like their 2003 efforts – more angst but still cool. Famous Last Words starts with a drum and base combination quietly underlying the lyrics of the verse, making the song sound like a misfit for this record, but when the chorus takes turn, the hooky guitar combined with the beat and the change of pace in lyrics snaps a breath of fresh air back into the song. I really like the mood of this song. The last song Love’s What You Left Me With finally slows down the pace, fittingly closing out an energy filled group of songs. Thematically, the song of regret over a broken relationship, is a change in mood as well. Scott Anderson sings in a much lower & mellow tone which adds a lot to this song.

One of the negatives is that the album is only 10 tracks and clocks in at just over 32 minutes. A slight disappointment, but then again, there are plenty of bands that put some filler songs on a CD just to make it longer, so it is what it is. 7.5 stars outta 10.

I used to talk for hours on the telephone as a teenager. Multiple days in a week. It used to be more like a hobby. Ofcourse girls were the preferred subjects at the other end but on occasion a male friend and I would have lots to talk about. But those were rare. And yes when I was in a relationship we talked for hours at length during those few years.

I had a very close friend with whom I would also chat for an hour or so on a regular basis. That’s why it surprises me that I can’t stand to talk for more than a couple of minutes on the phone in the last few years. Let’s relook at my past – circa 2003 I started work as a call center agent. I continued that role till the end of October 2004. I was a supervisor and then trainer till my promotion to manage the training team in July 2008. And my industry is telecom from 2004 onwards! I guess that is why I have developed an allergy to phone calls. I hate phone calls unless someone is calling me to tell me some good news. Then it’s ok.

I rarely chat with anyone on the phone with a few exceptions and that is because those people are very important. Otherwise I prefer to send an SMS or text people as it is also called. You can pass the needed information that way. Or send them an email from my Blackberry that they can access on their phone. Its quick and it gets the job done. I also hate getting work related phone calls during the weekend or on a holiday and especially when I am on a sick leave. I abhor the phone at times. I avoid phone calls if I can.