Fink

November 21, 2009

Photo by Bichro

I’m finding it difficult to reconstruct this musician into interpretable terms for anyone who has never heard of the band or more or less man known as, Fink. To be completely honest with you, three years ago, judging his album cover alone, I hit “play” expecting nothing more than maybe a few chords or fa-la-la’s that might never make it through the speakers… but I was wrong, terribly wrong, and in those rare cases where my assumption is a low and unfair one, I really couldn’t be happier to correct myself.

“Fink” is the name given to the touring trio, Fin Greenall (an English singer-songwriter), Guy Whittaker (Bass) and Tim Thornton (Drums)… and because the name only seems to emphasize on Fin, I will try to keep this post focused on him. This guy started out as a Producer and DJ, spinning trip-hop and breaks in clubs all over the world, alongside production with fellow eccentrics on Ninja Tune. His digression from vinyl to strings was quick and permanent, and not only beneficial to our ears, but to the synonymous label that signed him, on which he became the first singer-songwriter featured – a comparable transition for Peacefrog’s signing to Jose Gonzalez.

Fink’s debut and sophomore album (released a little less than a year apart) could easily be considered land mines, plotted unknowingly and ultimately blowing up his fan-base. On both Biscuits for Breakfast and Distance and Time, Fink reveals dark and consuming emotions with such calm assertion. While one possesses more of a “front-porch” feel than the other, the bluesy licks and raspy vocals pull nothing away from his perfectly executed confessions and conversational lyricism.

His latest and third release with Ninja Tune, Sort of Revolution, comes through with nothing less than its moving precedents. He does experiment with more relevant modes of production, but it only appears here and there throughout the album and comes more as a bonus than anything else. I should mention, those tracks were produced with artists like John Legend and D’angelo, so despite how much I prefer the raw, echoing acoustics, Fink still remains true to his best angles as he tangles himself in brooding piano riffs and/or a-capella type tricks without any hesitation, truly capturing the sincere intentions behind his words.

MP3 Fink – All Cried Out
MP3 Fink – If Only
MP3 Fink – Sort Of Revolution

Posted by Cheryse in Artist Spotlight