by Heather PharesAnd Finally, Scheer's aptly-titled, posthumous follow-up to their 1996 album Infliction, reveals that, despite their problems with 4AD, the group was becoming a stronger and more creative unit, blending Audrey Gallagher's deceptively sweet voice and their wall-of-guitars sound more successfully. Where parts of Infliction sounded like the Cranberries and Bush mixed together just for the heck of it, And Finally's stronger songwriting and clearer production provide the focus and polish necessary to make Scheer's sound less forced. The group's hard pop side is well represented by tracks like"Deadly Serious,""6am,""Suffocate," and"Mercy," all of which sound crisper and more dynamic than Infliction's overly grungy rock did. Likewise, their brooding ballads are slightly revved up, giving"First Contact,""Where Were You When the House Burned Down," and a reworking of the vintage Scheer song"Say What You Came to Say" more cohesiveness within the album's context. Though it grows somewhat repetitive toward the end, it's unfortunate that And Finally didn't receive the release it deserved, as it clearly shows Scheer's continued growth and potential.