The Finals

Long Story Short (2004)

Jordan Rogowski

Next up, in an increasingly long line of average rock bands, there's the Finals. Maybe I shouldn't sell them so short so quickly though. While it's nothing inventive, I'd be lying to you all if I said I didn't get a solid amount of enjoyment out of Long Story Short and its simple but effective quirks. And who's to say there's nothing endearing about a simple record? To start with, the combined lead vocals of Jason Sazer, and the backing of Matt Reilly and Lou Bottone set a solid bottom layer to build everything off.

Just don't be expecting the tower to get too tall.

Solid foundation, without a lot of upward expansion -- that's the album in a nutshell. So what exactly is to be found on the bottom floor? As previously mentioned, the vocal harmonies are both on point and energetic, with all singers equally holding their own weight. Their ability to mesh well for the chorus is perfectly on display in "An Illusion Called Circumstance," a rocking song with a fair amount of pop sensibility to go along with it. The Finals know well enough to play to their strength, and their foremost strength is vocal talent. The same cannot be said for the cliché at best lyrics, but one thing at a time. Solid vocals aside, they're nothing if they can't blend well with the music, and the Finals are able to succeed there as well.

Again, success comes with simplicity as far as the instrumentation is concerned as well. Simple chord progressions, drum fills, and some keyboard and synth use all add up for a technically sound product. They only use the rhythms and progressions that they know will be effective, without trying too hard, and the songs really reflect that. "I Promise I'll Leave" is played on the simplest of structures, but with the vocals mixed in how they are, the end is a cohesive package.

There's not going to be anyone in awe of the structure the Finals have created, nobody to just stand and look at its sheer majesty, but really, that was never their intent. It's not flashy, there are no fancy stained glass windows, no observation deck, but to its credit, there's a foundation that's never going to budge, and for Long Story Short, that's all that was necessary.