Say Hello to Sunshine

Finch

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 7, 2005)
• Original Release Date: June 7, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Drive-Thru
• ASIN: B0009MBCX8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (198 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #57,038 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Naysayers of hard rock and metal describe the genre as bordering on one-directional, when the truth is that great hard music is so much more than that. An amalgamation of jazz rhythms, emotive metal-influenced vocals and strong instrumentation happens when the genre hits it just right. Finch contained all of those elements on their much-heralded full-length, What It Is To Burn, and the result created a nearly religious fan base; expectations have been high during the three year wait for their new disc Say Hello To Sunshine. The strongest tracks on this release are ultimately are the most jagged, from the opening guttural growl of "Insomniatic Meat" to tracks like "Fireflies" and "Miro" which shows the group's emo-core colors brightly. Their whisper-to-a-scream tendencies are all over the disc, as the group moves from mixed tempos with deep howls to straight-up belted-out choruses. There is an obvious System Of A Down-meets-Linkin Park reference that also can't be ignored. The lead single, "Bitemarks and Bloodstains," is deceptive--the disc is consistently harder than this song. In fact, the whole is much stronger than the single. --Denise Sheppard

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars My, How You've Changed!, July 12, 2005

By	Mr. Censored (Maine) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

I was kind of suspicious when Finch pretty much vaporized in 2003, after receiving some well deserved success with "What It Is To Burn." Instead of milking the success like they could have, Finch took the high road, disappeared, and have re-emerged two years later with a brand new album, "Say Hello To Sunshine" and a brand new sound. When "What It Is To Burn" (and the EP, "Falling Into Place") came out, Finch's sound was still fresh. Not many bands at the time were doing what these guys did. Now, three years later, and you can't get away from the scene. Just like rap-metal was oversaturated five years ago, the current "screamo" scene is overflowing as well. So, you know, things had to change. Whereas their contemporaries in The Used counteracted the trend by making their follow-up album a poppier, more accessible affair, Finch toughened up and created an angsty and loud new sound for themselves.

So how does it work? Well, on one hand, it's a breath of fresh air, really. I know I'm not alone in my feelings that there are just too many boring bands doing the same boring things, and it's great that one of the pioneers of that sound are doing something to change things up. On the other hand, I really dug "old" Finch. "What It Is To Burn" wasn't perfect, but it was still a solid album that displayed both sides of Finch, agressive and sensitive. Sadly, "Say Hello To Sunshine" bares very little resemblance to the Finch you knew before. If you are familiar with "Worms Of The Earth," the b-side that appeared on 2003's "Underworld" soundtrack (and the "Atticus II" compilation), then you have a pretty good idea of what kind of sound Finch are going for here. Aside from the fact that they end up sounding like a heavy Incubus on a few songs, Finch still manage to carve out their own sound, which you have to respect.

So, the album isn't exactly as good as it could have been. A bit disappointing, but still a good listen nevertheless. Perhaps if I had never known this group before, I would have a much higher opinion of this album. But to me, it seems like they are stuck in an identity crisis. They obviously don't want to be pigeon holed or associated with a scene that will go down in flames soon enough, so I understand why they made this move. Just try to listen with an open mind, and give it a few listens to sink in as well.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars this one is hard to take in at first..., April 4, 2006

By	A. Stoltz (illlinois) - See all my reviews

after being off the radar for 3 years finch changed their lineup a bit and decided to create a different album than what it is to burn. that they did, this album sounds nothing like their previous album. it was really hard for me to accept this album at first because you have no idea how much their first album impacted me. the emotion and the lyrics of their first helped me through a rough time in my life and that album will always have a special place inside me.

it's been almost a year now and after making myself listen to their new disc several times i'm starting to appreciate and see why finch made this record. they were trying to break away from all the emo and screamo bands and they wanted to make a heavier rock record that would alienate them from the cliches. they succeeded in doing that, but as most of you know it might have been for the worst as for finch are now broken up (or indefinite hiatus) because of the responses and hateful reviews this cd has been given. it's quite sad because i now see that this cd is pretty amazing but everyone wanted them to make another WIITB and that's why finch are no longer together. .

you have to admit that back in 2002 when their WIITB was released not much sounded like it. these guys are innovaters and they innovated once again with say hello to sunshine but people just didn't understand it. i want to give props to finch for making music their own way and that i appreciate what they did with this cd. hopefully, someday they will get back together but i have a feeling that's not going to happen.
i wouldn't say this album is a masterpiece but it's a great rock record. if you are a huge fan of WIITB you probably won't like this album at first or at all. if you're not familiar with finch and you want to hear some dark heavy rock with killer complex signatures and lyrics then check this cd out.
Finch R.I.P.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How do you un-sell out?, February 22, 2006

By	Nic - See all my reviews

Finch did the impossible. They started with a CD bursting with tracks just itching to be put on the radio, pop-punk everywhere with What It Is To Burn. The vast majority of it was an easy sell on the general public. But don't get me wrong, I'm not dissing it at all, I think it was a great CD. Then this rolls out. This is just my opinion, but I feel like this is a lot closer to what Finch really wants to sound like, as opposed to what they thought people wanted them to sound like. And I love it. I've worn out this CD and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon. Its a real shame they're now on hiatus.