What It Is to Burn

Production

It was produced by then former Drive Like Jehu drummer Mark Trombino (Jimmy Eat World, Madina Lake, Blink-182). Daryl Palumbo from New York City rock band Glassjaw makes a guest appearance on two songs, "Grey Matter" and "Project Mayhem".

Release

The first pressing of the album contained a demo version of "What It Is to Burn"—which was originally on the compilation album Welcome to the Family (2001)—instead of the re-recorded version that was on later pressings. Between late June and mid-August, the group went on the 2002 edition of Warped Tour. In October and November 2002, the band went tour across the U.S. alongside New Found Glory, Something Corporate and Further Seems Forever. From June to August 2003, the group went on the 2003 edition of Warped Tour.

Reception and legacy

The album received a generally positive reception. AllMusic rated the album with 4 out of 5 stars, commenting "Finch's full-length debut is a phenomenal account of a band riding the thin line between hardcore and pop-punk while retaining a trademark sound that stands out from the crowd", as well as being an album pick. Ryan Flatley of Sputnik Music praised "Grey Matter" and "Project Mayhem" for their energy, but states that the album turned out to be a bit of a disappoinment due to the large amount of hype surrounding the release, giving it an overall 3 stars.

By April 2003, the album had sold over 200,000 copies in the U.S. The album has been a massive influence on Saosin's Saosin (2006), Young Guns' All Our Kings Are Dead (2010), A Day to Remember's What Separates Me from You (2010), D.R.U.G.S.'s D.R.U.G.S. (2011), and The Amity Affliction's Chasing Ghosts (2012).

Track listing

All tracks written by Finch.