Canada's most overlooked alternative act have returned with their third offering since adopting the finger eleven moniker, and after listening to this self-titled effort, it is clear that the band are still searching for the fame that has, up until now, eluded them. One of the few Wind-Up rock bands to never exactly break out, these men continue delivering music similar to Our Lady Peace, 6gig and The Apex Theory, yet the album is saturated with blatant hooks and formulaic pop/rock that feel all too forced.

The band succeed admirably with fare such as the dynamic "Stay In Shadow" and the quirky innocence of "The Last Scene Of Struggling", showing energetic zest with these hard rock gifts. Even predictable rockers such as "Panic Attack" have a certain charm, yet this alone fails to carry the album. Moody acoustic filler such as "Thousand Mile Wish" and the breezy "One Thing" feel contrived, lifeless and most importantly out of place amongst the collection of driving hard rock that surround them. The most frustrating aspect of the band is that they are capable of tremendous moments of originality (as proven time and time again on "Tip" and to a lesser extent on the haphazard "The Greyest of Blue Skies"), yet they have instead chosen to go in a more radio-friendly direction, cluttering this effort with flimsy pop songs that leave a sour taste in one's mouth, (like the generic "Conversations").

finger eleven have never shown the ability to breakthrough into the mainstream, most likely due to their eccentric alternative rock execution, and it is quite apparent that they are now striving to incorporate more accessible elements into their music to rectify this. Unfortunately these obvious attempts happen to be the group's weakest offerings, and this easily explains why this album often falters. The end result is an album that builds on listeners hopes only to dash them repeatedly, never forming a groove that seems to last. Once again, finger eleven have put forth an album that continues to distance them from their creative past, molding the group into yet another faceless rock band in a market that is already overflowing with forgettable acts.