It's always somewhat confusing when bands go eponymous on anything but their first album. More often than not, such a decision designates a mid-life crisis of sorts, where said artists are simultaneously trying to reaffirm their identity while reinventing themselves for the future. Canada's {$Finger Eleven} obviously arrived at these crossroads with its third set of foreboding, angst-ridden {\alt-metal}; yet ironically, the album easily qualifies as its most confident and sincere statement. Where its very solid, but concession-prone predecessor {^Greyest of Blue Skies} had smacked of pre-fab, radio-bound {\nu metal} sleekness, {^Finger Eleven} represents a far more honest and confident reflection of the band's natural instincts. Clearly the sound of a band embracing its personal creativity wholeheartedly -- no matter what commercial fate it may bring them -- first-half winners like {&"Complicated Questions,"} {&"Stay in Shadow,"} and the strangely {$Devo}-esque {&"Good Times"} undoubtedly stand out as the most distinctive work of the band's career. Unfortunately, similarly revealing second-half offerings, like {&"Conversations"} and {&"Panic Attack,"} don't quite measure up in terms of quality songwriting inspiration; and the band's sporadic forays into acoustic numbers, though well-intentioned, exude greater technical competence than outright inspiration. A mixed blessing to be sure, it's a fair assumption that {^Finger Eleven} signifies a personal victory for this Canadian quintet, but only time will confirm its prophecy of a new dawn for this well-intentioned group. [{^Finger Eleven} comes packed with a bonus DVD featuring live performances and behind the scenes studio footage.] ~ Ed Rivadavia, All Music Guide