Above (song)

''Tip'' is the debut studio album by Canadian rock band Finger Eleven, released in 1997. It departed from the funk-influenced sound of the 1995 album ''Letters from Chutney'' and the previous band name "Rainbow Butt Monkeys" in favor of a darker, heavier sound influenced by Tool. While responses to ''Tip'' were initially muted, compounded by Finger Eleven being dropped by their record label, the album was critically acclaimed and became a modest success with consumers upon its September 1998 re-release by Wind-up Records. ''Tip'' paved the way for Finger Eleven's mainstream breakthrough with ''The Greyest of Blue Skies'' in 2000. The album was certified Gold by Music Canada in 2014. It is the only studio album to feature drummer Rob Gommerman as departed the band shortly after the album's release.

Background

Finger Eleven is a rock band from Burlington, Ontario that formed in 1989. The band's original lineup consisted of singer Scott Anderson, guitarists James Black and Rick Jackett, bassist Sean Anderson, and drummer Rob Gommerman. Having formed while the members were in high school, journalist Marie Gagne wrote that the band's funk-styled early work under the name Rainbow Butt Monkeys "showcased their infectious energy and youthful exuberance," and Scott Anderson asserted that there was "nothing professional" about the Rainbow Butt Monkeys era of the band. Finger Eleven recorded ''Letters from Chutney'', their only album under the Rainbow Butt Monkeys moniker, after winning a Battle of the Bands contest hosted by CHTZ-FM.

Rainbow Butt Monkeys' transformation into Finger Eleven was a gradual process. In 1999, Black explained to ''Chart Attack'' interviewer James Hayashi-Tennant that "It was a gradual thing, but between ''Letters From Chutney'' and ''Tip'', the public can only see these two things, and not see the in-between. It was a definite transition period. We didn't sit down and say, "let's try something new.'" After Rainbow Butt Monkeys' style had noticeably shifted to a "heavier and angrier" tone, the band agreed that their then-current name was now inappropriate for a band that sought to be taken seriously.

The name "Finger Eleven" is taken from a demo version of "Thin Spirits," the seventh song on ''Tip''. Explaining the backstory behind the band's name, Scott Anderson said, "When everything is pushing you in one direction and your instinct drives you in anotherthat’s finger eleven."

''Tip'' was recorded in a cottage outside Toronto. When recording ''Tip'', Rick Jackett turned his guitar down a half-step.

Music

''Tip'' marks a radical departure from the Rainbow Butt Monkeys era of the band, and the 1995 ''Letters from Chutney'' album. The overall style of the album is dark and heavy, exemplified by the "ass-kicking" tone of "Tip," "Above," and "Condenser." According to critics Roxanne Blanford and Alex Steininger, ''Tip'' extensively experiments with musical timing, tempo, and loud-quiet-loud dynamics, setting Finger Eleven apart from their peers such as Stone Temple Pilots and Our Lady Peace.

''Tip'' is often compared to the work of Tool. Steininger described Finger Eleven's style on the album as "Tool-influenced power-rock/metal," and reviewer Lesa Pence highlighted the Tool influence on "Glimpse," ''Tip'' eighth song. Hayashi-Tennant asserted that "a dark, Tool-ish vibe" underlies every song on ''Tip'', and singled out "Thin Spirits" as exemplifying this characteristic.

Release and reception

''Tip'' was initially released on Mercury Records in 1997. This first release of the album was unsuccessful, and Mercury dropped Finger Eleven and ceased to promote their album six weeks after ''Tip'' debuted in stores. Even after losing Mercury as a label, the band attracted the attention of Wind-up Records, who signed the band on short notice and had them open for Fuel and Creed in 1998. On September 15, 1998, the date Finger Eleven's tour as an opener concluded, Wind-up re-released ''Tip'', after which the album gained more attention.

After ''Tip'' September 1998 re-release, the album was critically acclaimed, with emphasis on its darkness and angry tone. Blanford wrote that the songs "Above" and "Awake and Dreaming" possess "remarkable levels of emotion" and asserted that "This collection of powerful and deeply felt songs moves through rock soundscapes with impressive results." In a very favorable review, Pence wrote that she emotionally resonated with the songs on ''Tip'', recommended the album to brokenhearted people, and said that her listening to the album for the first time "will remain an unforgettable experience." Hayashi-Tennant also wrote favorably about ''Tip'', but disagreed with Pence's view that its full merit was clear upon first listen. He instead argued that ''Tip'' is "the kind of album that you first think is good, but it gets better each time, grows on you with each listen and gains a more permanent hold on you." Steininger was more critical and concluded that while the album contained "a good mix of lyrics and music," its consistent heaviness got repetitive, giving ''Tip'' a B.

Even prior to the Wind-up re-release, the ''Tip'' opener "Quicksand" was already being played on American stations KRXQ and WRCX. After the re-release, the "Quicksand" single emerged as Finger Eleven's breakthrough into the American market, reaching the #28 spot on ''Billboard'' Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. The song gained further exposure in the United States after being featured in the American television program '' Roswell'', though Finger Eleven was not credited. When Hayashi-Tennant commented to the band about American Finger Eleven fans leaving supportive comments on the band's website's guest book, Scott Anderson remarked, "Yeah, it's die-hard enthusiasm. Americans are like that."

By July 2000, shortly before the release of ''The Greyest of Blue Skies'', Wind-up Records claimed that ''Tip'' had sold over 100,000 copies in Canada and the United States combined. On October 1, 2014, Music Canada awarded ''Tip'' with Gold certification, representing sales of 50,000 units in Canada.

Track listing

Mercury release

Wind-up release

Personnel

Finger Eleven

* Scott Anderson - vocals
* James Black - guitar, vocals
* Rick Jackett - guitar
* Sean Anderson - bass
* Rob Gommerman - drums

Additional personnel

* Arnold Lanni - producer
* Angelo Caruso - engineer
* Howie Weinberg - mastering

Certification

Notes

References

Citations

Bibliography

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1997 albums
1998 albums
Albums produced by Arnold Lanni
Finger Eleven albums
Mercury Records albums
Wind-up Records albums