Review – Finger Eleven – “Wolves and Doors”
written by Chris van Staalduinen
Dark Paralyzer anyone? I have to admit that’s the first thing I thought when I heard the song “Wolves and Doors” from the new Finger Eleven album, Five Crooked Lines. Yes, the main riff sounds a little like their biggest hit to date, “Paralyzer” and yes, they’ve changed sounds from their Rainbow Butt Monkey days or even from their earlier F11 sound. Does that mean it’s necessarily, inherently bad? My initial instinct is always yes, but I often come around to the no side of the street after some time and I have just arrived.
The video for “Wolves and Doors” is like a dark tinted “Seven Nation Army” (The White Stripes), but not quite as trippy. Simple, dark, often bloody images inter-spliced with shots of things not so scary – Canadian Grunge-lite rockers. It looks like an angry Will Sasso got together with a neighbour and a couple of hipster barrsitas from his local Starbucks and made a video of their nightmares. I don’t think that’s a bad thing, though…
They are Canadian, after all. They can look pleasant despite the paranoid themed lyrics and assortment of bloodied skulls, farm animals and heavily inked females. I don’t know if I could handle scarier looking people in the same video. Their look is a good counterpoint to the other shots. I suppose without hitting you over the head with it, these images have to convey the terror of the wolves that won’t leave your door. Whatever your wolves are, no one wants an undesired house guest without a departure date. I think the video is what it is and it doesn’t need to be much more.
The song however does need to be more than just a song – it’s the lead track, the first single. This is the fans’ first glimpse into the album – and many will answer the question of whether to look further based on this glimpse. If you’re looking for “One Thing” or “Bones and Joints”, you likely won’t find it here. They’re grown up a bit since then, but haven’t we all? If you’re looking for “Paralyzer” with a dark twist, you may have something to look forward to. I liked “Paralyzer” and I like darkness. I also like “Wolves and Doors.” It’s got a good enough hook to make me want to hear more, so I will.
July 31st , 2015 is the release date for the album and I’ll give it a listen. You should grow up (a little) and do the same.
Watch the video for Wolves and Doors:
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written by Chris van Staalduinen
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