The Finite Beings – “Caught In The Future”

The Finite Beings – “Caught In The Future” – Single Review

I was somewhat caught in a similar conundrum just the other day listening to a totally different band, but like…you ever have those moments where you’re listening to something, and you’re like, I dig this, and I dig that, and oh that’s good too, and everything you examine on an individual basis checks all the right boxes, yet when it all gets put together, you’re like…I mean, yeah…it’s alright I guess?  What gives with those moments?  How is that even possible?  It’s like defying some kind of weird impossible odds.

The Finite Beings has always been perplexing to me in that regard, and that largely remains true here in assessing the new single “Caught In The Future.”  By all accounts, there’s not really much to not love about what you’ll hear.  When I put it on for the very first time the other day, the first thing that hit me was the outstanding production on this song…like, this thing sounds SLICK, you feel me?  I might have been raised throughout the Grunge era and all, where you kinda come to love extremely raw sound as your steady default setting, but I’ve still got love for music that is made with extreme attention to detail like “Caught In The Future” is.  What I think I like even more about the production/performance combo you’ll find on this song is that, sure, this or that might be enhanced a little bit this way or that way with some expert studio know-how, but nothing seems overtly mechanical, brutalized by effects, or anything other than this single simply sounding very, very clean & clear.  There’s value in that.  And when you factor in the curious and intriguing sound that “Caught In The Future” generates as it starts up, Michael Nicholas, the engine behind the music in The Finite Beings, has clearly created a stimulating gateway into this tune that should be appealing to listeners out there.  With his misty vocals and his mysterious lyricism, it’s like he’s wandering through the fog of his own thoughts, before finding his way into an immense clarity that takes over, likely supplied by his unwavering faith.  I dig the way this track begins, and I like that Nicholas has wisely given “Caught In The Future” room to grow as well.  Hearing the guy kick things into gear and how the song shifts into a sturdier, more resilient vibe works really well too.  The tone in the guitars, bass, and drums is nothing short of magnificent if you ask me…I could literally eat it by the freakin’ bowlful.  Vocally, there’s lots to appreciate in Michael’s whispered & hushed approach and how that serves the dynamics of the song as it shifts from verse to chorus.  Overall, I’d say I dig about 95% of what he’s put into the microphone, which ain’t a bad score whatsoever.  I was never all that sure about the backing lines of “would you help me see/if it’s meant to be” but other than that, I liked how he’s staged his vocals and how harmonizing with his lead brings out a real unique & enigmatic sound in him.  Like I’ve been explaining to ya from the get-go here, if you’re looking at any of these ingredients under the microscope, I think you have to appreciate how much care has been taken with what you hear – everything sounds crystal clear and performed to the best of Michael’s ability for sure.

So what gives, right?  Because there’s always a but…and I’ve always got something else to say, don’t I?

Indeed.  Look…here’s what I’ll tell ya – I think that The Finite Beings has done a superb job of making sure that you WILL listen to “Caught In The Future,” full stop.  For all the reasons I’ve outlined above, Nicholas has ensured that this single sounds interesting to your ears, and you’ll wanna hear where this mysterious atmosphere will take you.  And so, you have to kind of ask yourself what the goals are.  Is creating a song in today’s world about finding that special recipe that guarantees people will listen to it – or is it about finding a way to get them to come back and listen AGAIN.  That’s where I struggle with The Finite Beings a bit more than I’d like to, not just on this particular song, but if you’ve read reviews I’ve written on the band’s music in the past, you know I’ve been here before.  I think they continuously give you EVERY reason to listen, because the sound they’re working with constantly piques your curiosity in a wonderfully natural way…but I can’t help but wonder if they fall short in giving you strong enough reasons to return to the material after you’ve heard it.  Like, there’s some genuinely brilliant stuff happening in here…the harmonies, the most intricate aspects of the guitar work, even the lyrics, yet I don’t know if what I’m hearing in “Caught In The Future” is truly deserving of single-worthy status, or if it would be a better fit simply existing at the end of a record, or if there is a memorable enough hook anywhere within this song that would keep listeners engaged with it time and again as they spin it.  You get how that would be frustrating?  From both sides of the speakers, I’m sure.  Like…”Caught In The Future” is a good song, but I’d have a hard time convincing myself that it’s a great one.  As artists and bands, what are you supposed to do with that?  Do you send it completely to the cutting room floor after you’ve put all that effort into it, and still yielded impressive results?  Just because you write a song that might not have the entire crowd singing along with you, does it not still have merit?  Even IF people were to only listen once, is that still not somehow a GREAT thing?  Ideally, I’m sure every artist and band would love for you to spin their music on repeat forever and ever until the end of time – but that’s not based in reality.  Beyond all that, how do you know what you have until you finally put it out there into the world & see what the reaction to your art & music is with those out there that choose to receive it?

I suppose the way I look at it, is that generally speaking, listeners want the indecision on their part to be as removed from the equation as humanly possible.  The way the masses tend to listen, connect, and respond to music is almost entirely based on having songs hit them in ways they simply cannot deny – that’s what they’re constantly hunting for…tunes that they can’t put down…songs they don’t just WANT to listen to again, they feel like they NEED to.  My worry for The Finite Beings on “Caught In The Future,” is that there isn’t quite enough there in that respect…but like I’ve said, that doesn’t mean people won’t listen, it’s more of a matter of will they KEEP listening.  From my perspective, with Nicholas possessing all the essential ingredients and skills required to make some seriously kickass music, I feel like he needs to push himself that much harder to make sure that all these incredible aspects of what he does end up creating the kind of irresistible tunes his talents should be leading him to.  I think at this point, we know he can be good…that’s pretty much a given, because he’s knows the sound he’s aiming for and how to execute on that professionally…but as fans, we don’t want him to settle for good when he can be great.  I do like what I hear on “Caught In The Future,” though I still want a heck of a lot more outta this band overall, and I want to hear songs that utilize Michael’s talents to the absolute maximum of his potential.

Find out more about The Finite Beings from the official website at:  https://www.thefinitebeings.com

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