"If there was any evidence
needed that unsigned local music is thriving in the
UK then here's another example. Finka are a four-piece
outfit hailing ¼ from Leeds and the rest from
Manchester and they've been steadily chipping away
at audiences in Leeds venues all year. This 3 track
CD, curiously entitled the Whistleblower EP, very
nicely sums up what the band is all about: no tricks
or gimmicks, just great tunes and delivery. I still
can't work out the significance of the title though.
Anyway...
Opener "45" is Finka at
their most dynamic, starting with a rolling bass line
and vocalist Jimmy Frith singing "I wanna know
is this it?" which leads the band to really kick
into action. The band delivers the roller coaster
dynamics with Frith left to set the tone. Three chords
these days are very often a bad sign but Finka get
away with it rather comfortably without sounding retro
or like a "I wannabe trendy" outfit.
Second track "The Frightening"
is a stronger song and the best on the CD. Sounding
like Elbow if they were not so obsessed with being
unusual and actually wrote some tunes, the band approach
a.n.t.h.e.m. territory. The image of hoards of people
heads back, eyes closed, lighters in the air (if that's
your thing), singing along with every chorus line
of "My love/My soul/Take care" shouldn't
be far from reality. It's both equally dramatic and
romantic stuff, very English and is fantastic. It's
perhaps what Morrissey would have penned if he had
ever got himself a girlfriend, or boyfriend for that
matter.
The final track "Stuck"
is a live recording, complete with crowd whooping,
and it sits along with the studio tracks very well,
which due mostly to poor recording quality is a rarity
with unsigned bands. It has the feel of a set or (possible
future) album closer with a drawn out, but not over
done, jam. I get the feeling that this song is included
in this format to prove to the listener that the band
can also play live, and it does work, proving the
band to be a formidable (if only on record) live unit.
Singer Frith is once again the focal point but guitarist
Adam Coy also comes more to the fore in the closing
stages of the song, which possibly could be something
that should happen more in future material.
Closing with the lines "This
is the last/The party's in here" it is a perfect
way to lyrically finish any record. Let's just hope
there's some more in the pipeline for 2005." Tim Hann, www.leedsmusicscene.co.uk
"Finka’s Whistleblower EP was a real eye-opener
for me. I have to admit I’d never heard of the
much-lauded four piece but judging by some deeper
delving there’s been a major buzz around Finka,
especially since Glasto 2003.
'Whistleblower' opens with the fantastic
‘45’, ripping into my CD player with an
edgy bass and drum intro from Matthew Jepson and Mladen
Pavlovic. Lead singer Jimmy Frith works his magic
over this and the track has a definite Nirvana quality
to it. This is a gem of an indie track that causes
its own fuss and makes you want to listen on, and
when you do you get a real sense of the introspective
lyrics and angsty nature of the song. Yet, unlike
so many whiny bands that are kicking around these
days, Finka maintain an edgy rock sound that keeps
interest and energy running high throughout.
‘The Frightening’, although
a totally different sound, is equally great. Frith
is like a grainy Chris Martin who can "do”
Cobain, and his astounding vocals are showcased in
this track. The melody soars over excellent guitar
work from Adam Coy, and this is a song that should
and will be heard as a stadium anthem. It’s
a perfect example of what indie music should sound
like, in my personal opinion anyway.
The final track, ‘Stuck’,
is a live recording, and my god these guys can reproduce
their studio sound live. The lyrics are thought-provoking,
the rhythm is spot on and the band really works together
perfectly. There’s also a great balance between
lead vocals, harmony and instruments, resulting in
what is a flawless sound. Finka have been compared
to the Doors, and Echo and the Bunnymen, which can
only be a very good thing. After hearing this I think
I’ve found a new band to love – I’m
determined to see these guys live. In fact, for those
of you lucky enough to be nearby, there is a forthcoming
Manchester gig (14th Jan @ MusicBox). And if anyone
fancies giving me a lift from Glasgow…" Marie-Clare Kelly, www.joyzine.co.uk
"What do you Finka this? Ah ha ha ha. Ah
ha ha ha. Manchester's Finka are a bunch of sultry,
sulky, rock shockers who thrill with their exuberant
and intense live performances. Jimmy Frith sounds
like the Ghost of Jim Morrison having a fag with Ian
McCulloch. Man, if these boys were around when the
Lost Boys came out they could have cut in the middle
man for the soundtrack and dispensed with the old
fellas. Prepare yourself, and then click out the marvellous
'45'... " www.Playlouder.com - Review
of '45'
