From Hero To Zero,
4ft FingersI know this has been out for a good year or so, but I was checking through the database and saw it hadn't been reviewed so I thought I'd whack one off, then do a review (Arf arf). I recently saw and reviewed the 'Fingers in Norwich where I was most impressed with them. Their blend of no nonsense, quick-lets-play-as-fast-as-possible punk rock has won them a loyal following in the last couple of years of relentless touring. While this kind of music isn't really in fashion at the moment (Beer and breasts have been forsaken for girls and sunsets) it has an enduring quality that grabs the attention.
The opening salvo of 'Proud To Know You', 'Burn The Bridges' and 'Bright Side' get things off to a rollicking start. 'Proud...' is one of my favourite songs of all time and is, in my opinion, the standout track on the album. All three tracks are really fast, melocally impressive numbers, underpinned by a galloping drum beat and a chorus of "Woah's" every 13 seconds or something like that. The songs deal with the recognisable topics of brotherly friendship and the like - the simplicity is what makes them so refreshing. No time for abstract concepts or metaphors here, just simple, honest messages that many could to well to take heed of.
'Walk Away' starts off with the familiar rolling drum beat, but in a stripped down fashion that makes it all the more powerful when the full band finally kicks in. The now-familiar technique of harmonising backing vocals in the chorus is emplyed (yet) again but doesn't sound contrived since it does provide such an effective backup to the main vocal line. One of the things I love about 4ft is the fact that you see what you get in an unmistakably and unapologetically English way. This is demonstrated by 'All Down Hill From Here' which is utterly hilarious. The subject matter might be conceived as being serious, but when Rob snarls "I don't ever wanna fall down that hill and break my hip" it's just so basic and honest.
I'm guessing the vast majority of people will have seen the video for 'Last Man Standing' on the now-defunct p-rock. The fact remains that it's a quality punk rock song, bolstered by a chunky verse riff and that traditional 4ft sound. I'm not goign to comment on the subject matter because some ignorant gimp labelled me a "townie" for disagreeing with a song about a particular of people. Open your minds, people. 'Emergency Manoeuver' is one of my other favourites on the album (ok, so there are like 6 or 7 favourites here) due the fact that it sounds like pretty much all the rest of the songs.
A song about everyone's favourite faux-punks by the name of 'Busted'? Or just a song about a bunch of tits (see what I did there?!)? Technically, this may the most impressive song on the album with Dougie's bassline bouncing all over the place, and some genuinely rocking guitar licks, most notably the tapping riff towards the end.
Lyrically, 'Eye For An Eye' is superb, musically it's...well, 4ft Fingers. 'Carpe Diem' rounds off the album in quality style, while still keeping to the template. the thing about 4ft Fingers is that if you like one song, you'll probably love them all because to be honest, they do sound quite similar. But this is no bad thing, because there are more than enough good ideas to keep you coming back for more. Quality, plain and simple.
Ben
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