Say Hello to Sunshine

Say Hello to Sunshine is the second studio album by American rock band Finch. Following the release of their debut album What It Is to Burn (2002), the group signed to MCA Records, which soon afterwards was absorbed into Geffen Records. Drummer Alex Pappas left the band in early 2004 and was replaced by Marc Allen. This was the band's only studio album with Allen and also their last with original bassist Derek Doherty. Sessions for the next album took place at a variety of studios with Jason Cupp, Ben Moore and the band producing the proceedings. Prior to the album's release, the band went on tour in the US and Europe, and "Bitemarks and Bloodstains" was released as a single in May 2005. Say Hello to Sunshine was released in June; further tours of the US, the UK and Japan followed soon after.

Say Hello to Sunshine saw the band expanding their post-hardcore sound with different time signatures, heavier guitar riffs and breakdowns. Critical reaction to the album was mixed. Some were disappointed, having expected a similar sound to their previous material, whereas others embraced the change in direction. It sold 38,000 copies in its first week, charting at number 24 on the Billboard 200 in the process. It also charted in the UK, reaching number 48. The group celebrated the album's 10th anniversary by performing it in its entirety for one show in 2015.

Background

The group's debut album What It Is to Burn was released in March 2002 as a joint release between major label MCA and independent label Drive-Thru Records. Around this time, the group signed to MCA Records. MCA had a distribution deal which allowed them to acquire Drive-Thru Records' bands over a period of time. Guitarist Randy Strohmeyer said that being on an independent label worked as a more co-operative arrangement: "You work together to push the album and you wanna scratch each other's back. When you go to a major, it's a corporation that's all it is. They don't really care about the music and they don't really care about you."

Between June and July 2003, the band commenced pre-production on their second album, which was expected to be recorded in August with producer Mark Trombino, in line with an early 2004 release. The group was initially scheduled to appear on the Warped Tour, but withdrew preferring to work on new material. In August and September 2003, the group took a break from writing to play a handful of shows; the band were again expected to start recording in October. Around this time, MCA Records was absorbed by Universal Music Group subsidiary Geffen Records, which resulted in its staff and roster being moved to Geffen. Guitarist Alex Linares said they had "no choice" in being moved to Geffen; however, they were "still working with the same people ... [s]o nothing really changed for us."

Writing and production

On January 10, 2004, drummer Alex Pappas left the group and was temporarily replaced by Marc Allen of Counterfit. Strohmeyer said Pappas was holding the band back, and they had spent six months trying to get him to work with the new style of songs they had written. Melodic reported in March 2004 that the group would start recording with Trombino in mid-April. However, Trombino was also unable to work with the material, prompting the band to use his engineer Jason Cupp instead. Sessions took place at Music Friends Studios, Big Fish Studios, Jordan's old house, Signature Sound Studios and Ocean Studios, with Cupp engineering all of the sessions. and performed at the Strhessfest and Holiday Havoc festivals. After a break in December for the holidays, the band finished recording in January 2005. Discussing the album's title, Barcalow explained it was satire, before adding that they "hope this record is going to rip your face off." Strohmeyer said the album had an apocalyptic theme, going on to say that it was "very dark. It's kind of like, this is the last song you'll ever hear before the world blows up." The lyrics often feature references to blood, flesh, fire, death On March 26, the band posted "Brother Bleed Brother" on their website. It was subsequently made available for download on April 14. On the same day, the album's track listing was revealed, followed by the album's artwork on April 18. For the remainder of April, the group went on tour with Vendetta Red and the Nurses, On April 29, "Ink" was posted online. In early May, the group appeared at Give it a Name festival and performed a few European shows with Motion City Soundtrack. Say Hello to Sunshine was made available for streaming on May 6.

On May 17, "Bitemarks and Bloodstains" was released as a single. Two days later, a music video was released for the track, directed by Michael Palmieri. The concept for the video came from Allen. Linares said the video was about "the whole experience of the mass media and how they get these gullible people to live in fear." supported by Million Dead. In late July and early August, the group went on a US tour with Head Automatica, Rx Bandits and Buck 65. Following this, Finch appeared at the Summer Sonic Festival in Japan, before performing in the US with Rx Bandits and A Static Lullaby until early September. In October and November, the group supported HIM on their headlining US tour. On February 19, 2006, Finch announced an indefinite hiatus, explaining that their "priorities just lie in different places." They played the album in its entirety for its 10th anniversary for one show in 2015.

Reception

Say Hello to Sunshine charted at number 24 on the Billboard 200 after selling 38,000 copies in its first week. In the UK, the album reached number 48, while "Bitemarks and Bloodstains" reached number 82 in the singles chart.

Say Hello to Sunshine received mixed reactions from music critics. AllMusic was appreciative that the band's "aggressive tendencies" remain at the forefront of the group's sound. They mentioned that with "such intriguing stylistic shifts permeating it", the release is "an outing whose rewards come via repeated listening." He complimented Barcalow's "twice as strong" vocal performance, especially as he got "rid of that grating whine and replacing it with more versatile vocals." and stated that he was "frightened by the extent of my dislike" for the album.

Track listing

All songs written by Finch.

Finch

Marc Allendrums, percussion
Nate Barcalowvocals
Randy Strohmeyerguitar
Derek Dohertybass
Alex Linaresguitar

Additional musicians

Nick BuchmillerRhodes piano (tracks 9 and 10)
Ben Moorepiano (track 12)
Jason Cuppshaker, tambourine, various percussion

Production

Jason Cuppproducer (tracks 1–15), engineer, mixing (tracks 1–4, 6–9, 11 and 13–15)
Ben Mooreproducer (tracks 1–3, 5–10, 12, 14 and 15), additional engineering
Finchproducer (tracks 1–15)
Alan Masonmixing assistant
Rich Costeymixing (tracks 5, 10 and 12)
Claudius Mittendorphermixing assistant
Eddie Schreyermastering
Alex Pavlidesadditional engineering
Steve Russelladditional engineering
JP Robinsonart direction, design
Jeff Sotoillustration

Chart positions

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

! scope="col"| Chart (2005)

! scope="col"| Peak position

! scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA Charts)

| align="center"| 83

!scope="row" | UK Albums Chart

| align="center"| 48

References

Citations

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