Plan Your Getaway

The Finals | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 11, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Immortal
• ASIN: B000F8O3EQ
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #822,792 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Right Here, Not Now

2. Life As A Car

3. They'll Never Know

4. It's Always Something

5. Raining In My Heart

6. Extended Autumn

7. Plague Escapade

8. Something To You

9. An Illusion Called Circumstance

10. We Don't Care

11. Lightning and Fireworks

12. Black Market Babies

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

Hailing from Bergenfield, New Jersey, a mere 15 minutes from NYC, The Finals are looking to build on the success of their debut EP Long Story Short on Stab Me Recordings released in August 2004. Signed to Immortal Records now, you can say they’re looking to getaway to bigger and better things with their full-length debut aptly titled Plan Your Getaway.

A lyric from the record’s opening track "Right Here, Not Now," Plan Your Getaway "signifies moving forward with the next step in our careers," guitarist/vocalist Jason Sazer explains.

Friends since they were kids, or as bassist/vocalist Matt Reilly likes to put it, "since we all co-starred in Look Who’s Talking Too, it was inevitable that they would form a band together. But first a few changes were made as three-fifths of the band had to learn new instruments to play: Jason Sazer went from bass to guitar, Matt Reilly changed from guitar to bass, and Christian Kisala turned in his drum sticks for a keyboard.

"We’ve all either grown up together, went to the same schools or met playing in bands," guitarist Lou Bottone says of The Finals’ genesis. "Timing was really everything for us. We were all free, started writing some songs and the rest is history."

Recent history perhaps, as the band members only range in age from 21-25. Collectively influenced by a diverse array of artists such as The Beatles, Metallica, Alkaline Trio, Death Cab for Cutie, The Clash, Hot Rod Circuit, Jimmy Eat World, The Postal Service, New Order and The Cars, The Finals aimed to recognize their influences while making a solid and distinct record; not tied to any particular scene.

"We feel Plan Your Getaway is a diverse record," Bottone says. "It has so many moods and we experimented with a lot of different sounds and textures. This album has something to offer everyone."

"This album blends a lot of different genres and styles," keyboardist Christian Kisala adds, "while still representing the band and where we’re coming from."

Without trying to sound cliché, Jason Sazer notes "life, struggles and relationships" influence their songwriting. And listening to the first single, "They’ll Never Know," you can definitely hear a mature sound at work. "It’s about confronting one’s issues and not being afraid to ask for help," Matt Reilly points out.

Exactly a year ago, February ’05 to be exact, The Finals began recording demos in their basement. In June they entered Nada Recording in NY with Heath Saraceno of Midtown producing and John Naclerio (Brand New, My Chemical Romance, Senses Fail) serving as engineer. A month later Plan Your Getaway was completed.

"We’ve known Heath ever since we were kids and even played in some of our first bands together," Bottone says about their relationship with Saraceno. "If it wasn’t for him stepping up to the plate and producing the record we might not have one. He’s the easiest person to get along with; he understood where we were going with this record and helped bring it to life."

Having played with The Ataris, Autopilot Off, The Matches, Midtown, and MU330, The Finals have fined tuned their live show into a "powerful and explosive experience," as drummer Joshua Sazer likes to put it. Matt Reilly describes it as, "a cool breeze followed by a wave of constant heat."

Ready to hit the road in support of Plan Your Getaway The Finals aren’t looking to escape or run away but instead go straight for the jugular with an album full of diverse and energetic songs destined to win over fans one blistering show after another.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad, not bad., March 13, 2007

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Plan Your Getaway (Audio CD)

NOTE: I'm not technically a kid, but this was the easiest way I could write a review.

"Plan Your Getaway" is vibrant and fun album. While the overall tone of the music is enjoyable, all but a few songs are unmemorable. The lyrics do not stand out and many of the songs seem to run together. Although The Finals do have a sound of their own, it's often easy to pick out their influences, so most of their originality comes from the way they combine assorted styles and ideas. Spiced with catchy choruses and riffs, "Plan Your Getaway" isn't bad overall.

The Good Stuff:

1. "Right Here, Not Now" - this song is the power-packed opening to the CD. It's a wonderful way to start, as the main riff is fabulously catchy, although the lyrics aren't great.

2. "Life as a Car" - this song is by far the best on the CD. It's fun, catchy, and it stands out from other music.

3. "They'll Never Know" - another fun riff. This one's upbeat, but is calmer than the first track.

5. "Raining in My Heart" - this one's almost pretty. A very interesting sound to this. The lyrics are a little cliche, but overall this song is short and sweet.

6. "Extended Autumn" - another upbeat, powerful rock song. The vocal harmonies in this song are very nice indeed. The lyrics actually aren't horrible, but they're not exactly poetry either.

11. "Lightning and Fireworks" - This track is much more subdued. It's got a slightly interesting beat, and the vocals are slightly enchanting for the first 30-60 seconds or so. It's not particularly catchy, though.

The rest of the songs on "Plan Your Getaway" are not outstanding. There's some interesting guitar sound in a few songs, but other than that, this album goes drastically downhill after the first 5 songs or so.

1.0 out of 5 stars Overall this is not listenable, January 25, 2009

By 

Silvertone (MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Plan Your Getaway (Audio CD)

Decent songs are marred by the poor sound of the lead singer's voice. There's alot better out there to choose.

4.0 out of 5 stars The Finals shoot and they score...a killer rock album!, February 14, 2007

By 

George Dionne (Cape Cod, MA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Plan Your Getaway (Audio CD)

The Good
Faded fuzzy riffs give way to an infectious groove on "Right Here, Not Now." Melodic vocals are in high supply throughout the track. Despite its silly title, "Life As a Car" in quite fun and at times poignant. Electronic effects and commanding vocals control the mix on "It's Always Something." "Raining in My Heart" is short in length, but it still captures that 80s new wave era sound. "Plague Escapade" employs plenty of guitar bends to create a country tone, but somehow creates a prog-rock aura with its chorus. It keeping with that prog-rock twist, The Finals use a lot of electronic effects and piercing tones on "Black Market Babies."

The Bad
The ballad "Lightening and Fireworks;" not so good.

The Verdict
The Finals are like a rookie that comes fresh off the bench and fires a big 3-pointer to win the game. In the case of Plan Your Getaway the 3-points come in the form of catchy riffs and melodies, well-composed lyrics, and melodic yet edgy vocals. The Finals shoot and they score...a killer rock album!