Fingertight
With such a name as “Fingertight” you expect “off-the-handle” straining vocals and weird guitars, and that is what you get. This band hailed from California and made their mark without following too much of the bands that resided around them. One thing is for sure they packed one hell of a punch. Signing with Columbia Records in 2001, they recorded “In the Name Of Progress” their first full length album which led with the single, “Guilt” which shot the album up to 34 on the US Billboard Charts in the same year.
The first song, “Fear In Me” is very pacey and heavy hitting, with an awesome guitar riff included. Headbanging seems involuntary and you cant help but sing along after a couple listens. The album really takes shape when “Guilt” starts to play after a weird filler track (“515 Mellus”). Listening to the lyrics makes so much sense, and again you find yourself tapping your foot, bobbing your head. Great vocals, with such a great chorus.
It is a very, up and down album, with weird synth filler tracks and quick, heavy paced songs followed by slow melodic ones. But I feel this shows what this band was fully capable of. “Emo This” is a great song, albeit the vocals, which I feel ‘ been cleaner. Straight after is the fierce “At War” with a title which speaks for the magnitude of this song. Skipping Magical(Coming to this later on) is Bellevue, which again is such a composed song, with gripping lyrics and a rhythm which slowly drags you in.
Now, back to Magical. Such an amazing song. I cant really describe the emotions which are felt when listening to the song. Listening to it now I find it hard to write about it, but trust me when I say, it hits home. Again, the unclean vocals make it realistic, more heartfelt and you can see the singer really feeling the song.
Sadly, their first full-length studio album was their last, and they split up shortly after the album started to lose the new-music touch. I wish they were still around as I feel the band still had so much to give, but whats done is done and I am thankful for them sticking it out to produce one hell of an album.
Tracks to listen to -