May 2009 fiN review

8th May 2009



fiN played the Peel in Kingston tonight showcasing some new songs and an Instrumental number. After obtaining our pre-booked tickets from Ann and obtaining our voting set list we headed into the venue. The main purpose of the evening was to vote on the four best numbers played that evening out of the nine on the set list a number of which were new songs..

The first number, which was a new instrumental was good and worked well especially as the band had made arrangements with the lighting engineer to have the stage blacked out during the build up of the music. I am sure the lighting effect wasn't a lighting failure but if it was, it worked well any way.

Things went slightly aria at this stage as the next number played was Circa 1:16 which wasn't the song on the set list. This slightly defeated the object of the exercise as new comers to fiN would have no idea what they were listening to or voting for. Circa 1:16 is a good number on the CD and my opinion would make an excellent opening song on the new CD which will be released soon. On stage the number sounded mediocre with the vocals being drowned out by the guitars. The Peel has a good sound engineer but for this song he struggled to get it right .

The next two numbers paled insignificant as I wasn't sure which songs on the song list I was listening to. They also sounded like any other up and coming band that normally has one good song and the other songs sound the same with slight changes which they think make them sound different. The ultimate effect was to have a wall of guitar music and an indeterminable noise which was suppose to be singing. Nil Pointe on this effort. I was later informed that these songs were an effort for the band to change direction into more rock numbers. I would only suggest that they go and listen to really good rock numbers and ask them if they can hear the words being sung. I don't think Luke is the right singer for rock songs but am happy to be proved wrong. I would suggest they refer back to the old adage, for now anyway. "If it ain't broke don't fix it"

Now the song which was marked with the number 4, a new song (sorry I don't know the name of it) was in the true vane of fiN and was good in every department. Keep this one in and record it on the album.

I think the next number was "Where Are You Now" which has now been change to a guitar number. Big mistake, the number gets its dynamics's form the piano part, no such effect played by guitar and now becomes another mediocre number.

The second half and remaining songs were all tried and tested numbers, "Twenty Three" and a re named "Everyone Dies Alone" what's wrong with the title "Everyone Dies Alone" it's a true statement and makes you want to find out more about the song. and "Life is wasted on the Living" All of these numbers are great songs and I think the reason that they work well on stage is that you can hear the words being sung. On this type of song Luke the lead singer is in his element.

A couple of comments were made in the audience which where "Why does the base guitarist have his back to the audience" and "why was Luke singing in the wings" perhaps there were good reasons.

All in all I liked the previous set as played at The Star in Guildford, a mixed audience genuinely enjoyed the bands music there.

Well that's it had my say, if you have any comments please reply and the best of luck to the band over the summer on their mini tour and festival gigs.

Visit fiN at www.myspace.com/finuk