[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hen I first heard that Finch was set to release their album Back to Oblivion, I’d be lying if I said it didn’t bring me back to my days in high school when they first burst onto the alternative rock scene. It has been nine years since Finch released their last album and although their sound is different, it’s one that fans should still be able to recognize.
The peak of Finch’s popularity no doubt came when they released What it is to Burn, but their newest album doesn’t necessarily compare in terms of creating a lasting impression on the audience. It’s evident that Finch has grown as musicians, a welcome change for any band that wishes to have any sort of longevity (if that is even possible for a band who is coming off a nine-year break).
“Two to the Head” and “The Great Divide” perhaps best showcase the Finch I remember from the mid 2000s. Not only that, but I can’t help but compare the sound to something like you’d hear on a Billy Talent album (which I consider to be a good thing).
As far as my favorite tracks from the album, “Tarot” and “Play Dead” are my favorite for both their musical style and lyrical composition.
What remains to be seen is whether or not Finch will be around for a while, or if this reunion will be short lived. They will be starting a nationwide tour to promote their new album on October 4th as fans will get an opportunity to not only listen to some of their favorite songs from the past, but also a chance to hear how far the band has come in the last decade.
I give Back to Oblivion three out of four stars. It might not provide enough to top the charts like they once did, but fans will no doubt enjoy hearing something new from a band that shaped the post-hardcore movement in the early 2000s.
