While the name Finn Riggins conjures images of an Irish singer/songwriter on the cliffs of County Cork, in all actuality, Finn Riggins is about as Irish as Florida. In fact, the name belongs to a group of musicians who play music that comes from every direction and is influenced by just about everything...including the kitchen sink. Their fourth album, Vs. Wilderness, is the sort of thing that happens when a bunch of music geeks get together, sit down, and plot how to take over the universe.
With a sound that might be something like Stereolab on an overdose of Krautrock while lost in the Caribbean Sea, this is a band that doesn't know what the word genre means. Mixing just about every element and instrument known to man over the course of Vs. Wilderness the band have come up with a sound that's really quite original. Heck if you don't believe me just have a listen to Finn Riggins play through, "Vs. Birds" and listen for the steel drums; it's crazy but it works and works well. Whether it's math rock, jazz, or steel drums, Finn Riggins embraces it all and turns into some sort of magical formula that clicks. While this isn't necessarily a record that's easy to latch on to it does have it's moments; check out, "Wake," for a fine example.
Although it's hooks aren't necessarily apparent, they are there and Finn Riggins uses them sparingly. Vs. Wilderness is a technically brilliant record that has more going on than the human ear can keep track of. That might seem a bit daunting, but it really isn't. In the end, Vs. Wilderness is a good album that anyone who is open minded or is a musician will absolutely love. The record is so busy and so open minded in all the best ways that those who love to figure out what's going on will spend hours trying to figure it all out. Indie rock with brains...that's Finn Riggins!
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