Them Vs. You Vs. Me Review

Release Date: Mar 6, 2007
Label: Wind-Up
Genres: Post-Grunge, Alternative Metal, Hard Rock
Number Of Tracks: 11
The Canadian band offers up an equal dose of ballads and rock tracks with mixed results.

Sound:	8
Lyrics:	6.5
Impression:	8
Overall rating:	7.5
Users rating:	6.8
Comments:	24

overall: 6.7

Featured review by: UG Team, on march 22, 2007

Sound: Good or bad, Finger Eleven is an extremely radio-friendly band that has found a comfortable niche in the world of FM airplay. With an equal blend of accessible ballads and danceable rock songs, the band’s 5th studio release “Them Vs. You Vs. Me” is a respectable offering for the most part. For fans of bands that bring a bit more of an edge to their music, however, Finger Eleven will likely leave them a bit disappointed.

This is not to say there aren’t more than a few catchy singles on the latest release from Finger Eleven (vocalist Scott Anderson, guitarists James Black and Rick Jackett, bassist Sean Anderson, and drummer Rich Beddoe). The first track “Paralyzer” has that same groove-oriented, funky feel that you get in Franz Ferdinand’s “Take Me Out.” It’s a solid song that emphasizes the band’s talent as a whole, but some may feel it resembles Franz Ferdinand’s single a little too closely. It’s primarily due to the intro and the song quickly gains it's own identity. With all it's familiarity, it still is a very infectious track.

Even with the band setting the stage with the energetic opener “Paralyzer,” the ballads still take up a big chunk of the playlist. While it’s respectable of the band to showcase it's sentimental side and there are a few moving moments in the ballads, it is the faster-tempo songs that are a bit more memorable. “Change The World” is a ballad that begins with a restrained piano line and restrained acoustic, but eventually builds up to feature percussion and what sounds like a whole string section. While it is cool that Finger Eleven slowly builds layers with each section, the base songwriting is just not that unique.

There are quite a few cool, funky riffs throughout the record, and those really do help draw you into the faster songs. The last track “Easy Life” combines both the funky and softer side of the band, making it a standout track. It actually gets progressively slower (until the big finale, that is) and has a haunting, higher-pitched guitar line being played over the quieter vocals. This technique, along with what an added slide guitar at the end, gives the song a whole different feel than the other tracks and does show the band is thinking outside the box. // 7

Lyrics and Singing: Finger Eleven’s lyrics vary wildly, with the ballads often bearing the best and the worst. On a song like “Change The World,” there does seem to be a cheesy element to it all. Anderson sings, “I just want the best for you, girl; But I don’t think I really know what that means; I know you bring out the best of me.” Now, the content definitely has a sweet sentiment that could touch some listeners, but the majority will probably feel that it’s just a bit too predictable.

“Window Song” features some interesting imagery and demonstrates that the band has more to offer than a few other songs might indicate. Anderson sings, “All the windows are playing their game; Where I won’t see outside again; Till I write all the fog away.” It’s nice to hear lyrics that go beyond just the usual emotional content, and “Window Song” is a good example of how the band is able to take a ballad and make it more than just a sappy love song. // 6

Impression: There are quite a few ballads on the record that just don’t have the originality that the faster tracks, and that’s really where the band falls short. There will be those who probably like emotionally driven songs like “Change The World,” but those tracks still don’t make a huge impression musically.

Finger Eleven has already established a strong fan base and made it's way into the public eye just fine (the band’s self-titled record made it to #4 on the Top Canadian Albums chart and various singles have been featured in movies), but it’s hard to say if the band will be capable of breaking free from being just a singles band. The band shows it's best on “Paralyzer,” but they do have a few tracks like “Sense Of A Spark” and “Easy Life” that have unique tempos and indicate there is a lot of talent present in the quintet. // 7

overall: 8.3

Reviewed by: __Ronnie__, on june 05, 2007

Sound: Obviously, comparing their self-titled album to Them vs. You vs. Me you'll see quite a difference in their sound. I believe Finger Eleven's sound has matured during the 4 years between the two albums. I loved "The Greyest of Blue Skies," I loved "Finger Eleven," and quite honestly, I love "Them vs. You vs. Me" too (I don't have "Tip" yet). If you're buying this CD expecting another "The Greyest of Blue Skies" then most likely you won't be happy. The different overall sound of this album is best listened to with an open mind. The overall feel is much "happier" (I guess you could say) then anything of their albums to date. I hated it at first but after a week or so it grew on me. If you can accept Finger Eleven's change in their sound and can listen to this with an open-mind, you will probably enjoy this album. If not, go buy something else. // 9

Lyrics and Singing: Scott is a pretty good songwriter, I have no doubt in my mind about that but "Them vs. You vs. Me" doesn't seem to really portray that. I wouldn't call them bad lyrics, but many of the songs just aren't as meaningful as the songs on their previous albums. If you want to see what I mean compare the lyrics of "Paralyzer" to maybe "One Thing." You'll find by looking at the current single, "Paralyzer" that the lyrics, while cleverly written are pretty much just random phrases thrown together. "This club has got to be/The most pretentious thing/Since I thought you and me" is a good example of what I mean. Still, your average Joe can't write lyrics like these, so you've got to give Scott credit where credit is due. // 7

Impression: Finger Eleven is one of my top 5 favorite bands (Breaking Benjamin, Chevelle, Shinedown and Crossfade being the other 4 on that list) and I can say that this album isn't as good as their previous releases. Excluding Tip, since I can't find a copy of it anywhere. Is "Them vs. You vs. Me" a waste of $10-$12? I don't think so. My favorite songs on this CD are "Paralyzer," it's catchy as heck and literally makes you want to get up and dance around. "Sense of a Spark," in my opinion of probably their most unique song yet. It has a very awkward rhythm at the beginning with the dueling guitars, broken bass drum beat and the seemingly random enter and exit of the bass guitar. You sort of have to be a musician to admire it. "Falling On," "Lost My Way," and "So-So Suicide" are also notable songs too. The songs have enough variety that there should be something for almost everyone here. If I lost it, I wouldn't hesitate to but it again. Even though it seems every Finger Eleven fan hates this album, it will always have a place reserved for it in my CD player, and to me, that's all that matters. // 9

Comments

[bassbeat77]

I hated the whole thing... which really sucks cause they were one of my favorite bands... I'm glad I saw them live before this thing came out.

[HellrzngPinhead]

The first track “Paralyzer” has that same groove-oriented, funky feel that you get in Franz Ferdinand’s “Take Me Out.”


Yyyyyyeah....how about they lifted the entire song? None of their cds they produce from here on will ever come as close to being as good or as sincere as Greyest.

[d_byrne23]

first album was best, now theyve totally gone to that radio friendly cock rock, album is a big dissapointment from start to finish

[boyan89]

such a shame great band,but paralyzer can suck my balls, and dance-punk WTF!!!!fu F11 go back to you older shit!!!even my friend hates you ..I..

[comfrtably_numb]

Tip was a great album....Above is an awesome song...they went downhill after that...i think they totally suck now

Checkt.

[jumpmanhat]

wow what a dreadful album title

[jessejames1414]

Grayest of skies was the best, now they're uh... :l

[creativeboner]

They are on tour with Evanescence and Chevelle.

[electric7]

jessejames1414 wrote:

Grayest of skies was the best, now they're uh... :l

+1

[STriNG-RaY]

parlyzer was a pretty good song

from what i see of the comments, this looks like one of the more downloadable albums...
time to pull bit torrent out...

[jen3113]

i was really dissapointed with this album i expected it to be pretty good since their previous album was great and i liked their new song parlyzer. Its really too bad because i was looking foward to buying it but im definitly not anymore.

[All0utR0ck]

Give it more than one listen and you wont be disappointed. I found nothing wrong with this album. They have changed their sound and once again it's been said before if you want Greyest of Blue Skies then listen to that. Don't listen to this album expecting the same sound. I loved Paralyzer, Change the World, Falling On, So-So Suicide and Sense of a Spark. I honestly loved the whole album. I don't get what people have against it.

[Xecks13]

I enjoyed Paralyzer...its not the best but its catchy...
Ive only listened to the itunes clips for all the other songs but nothing caught my attention =/

Checkeroo.

[skindred]

creativeboner wrote:

They are on tour with Evanescence and Chevelle.

says it all really doesnt it?

[ibanezeric82]

I fell in love with this band when I heard Greyest of Blue Skies. I love the other two albums as well. This new one, yeah, its different. But so far, each album by them has been different from the last. I like the new album, maybe not as much as Greyest, but it's still worth getting!

[electric7]

skindred wrote:

creativeboner wrote:

They are on tour with Evanescence and Chevelle.


says it all really doesnt it?

Chevelle is awesome. Not a big fan of Evanwhatsence. Say chevelle last night, they were better without F11

[leavmealone13]

I saw finger 11 and chevelle and evanescence two nights ago, i really only went for chevelle. My opinion is actually that finger 11 is much better live than they are on the recording. I was impressed with the concert so i bought the new CD the next day, but the cancert was better. Chevelle was the opposite, they were sloppy live, but i'd take Wonder What's Next or Vena Sera over Them vs. You vs. Me anyday.

[guitargodbiotch]

i dont understand what everone is crying about..this album is sick dude..its beats the hell out of their other ones..this album is good!

[Bassism81491]

I agree with Ronnia's review. I like this album.

[AllMidnightEyes]

This album didn't really impress me too much. I thought it'd be better judging from "Paralyzer." It's got some good songs on it but nothing stands out.

[Fuel Collector]

A few decent songs on this record, but greyest of blue skies craps over all their other albums

[HolyDiver1118]

I like Greyest of Blue Skys the best