Back in '98, while everyone was freaking out about Y2K and jamming to whatever was left of grunge, Finger Eleven decided to throw their hat in the ring with an album that would quietly set the stage for their 2000s breakthrough. That album was "Tip," a gritty gem that was more a signpost of where rock was headed rather than where it had been.
Originally these Canadian rockers went by Rainbow Butt Monkeys—yeah, you heard that right—and their debut in the mid-90s was all funk and groove, a real product of its time. Fast forward to 1998, after a sensible name change and a shift in sound, they dropped "Tip" under the guidance of producer Arnold Lanni, who was the genius behind bands like Our Lady Peace. He brought that polished yet heavy touch that helped the band edge into the post-grunge scene.
"Tip" hits you with those big, chunky guitar riffs right from the get-go. Tracks like "Condenser" and "Glimpse" make no apologies; they’re all about that thick, post-grunge sound that was starting to bubble up. Then you’ve got "Awake and Dreaming," which dials it back, giving you a breather with vibes that are almost Tool-lite, especially when you hit that closer, "Swallowtail."
Finger Eleven wasn't just sticking to one gear—they are mixing in heavy riffs with introspective, quieter moments that really showed off their range. It's like, one minute you're in the mosh pit, and the next, you're zoning out in your room with just the speakers for company.
Despite "Tip" having a sort of dual personality, it kind of flew under the radar initially, especially stateside. It got a bit more love up in Canada, but it wasn't until later that Finger Eleven really started to catch on in the U.S. The album is like a snapshot of a band who’s figuring out their sound right on the cusp of the new millennium—hanging onto those 90s roots but also kinda predicting where rock was about to head.
It's clear that "Tip" was a crucial stepping stone for Finger Eleven. It had the rough edges and that raw experimental vibe that you kinda miss in today’s polished scene. So, while it might not have blown up the charts, "Tip" laid down the groundwork for what was to come, and as any true music nerd will tell you—it’s all about the journey, not just the destination.
Songs in this Episode
Intro - Condenser
26:46 - Alone
35:33 - Quicksand
40:25 - Swallowtail
Outro - Glimpse
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Finger Eleven - Tip | 90s Rock Revisited