at either Strohmeyer or Pappas' home. He also said that if they did not go with Trombino, they would be "less electronics", adding that he was "such a genius when it comes to programming [...] he came up with some of the most amazing beats". They had an acoustic song, "Once Upon My Night Stand", which was dropped as it did not fit the atmosphere of the album. The opening track, "New Beginnings", begins with a distorted guitar fading in, before the song shifts to aggressive power chords and octave parts. The song sets the tone for What It Is to Burn with its memorable melodies and tuneful choruses. Barcalow said "Letters to You" was about the "emotion of being away from somebody and missing them and trying to keep them happy through communication because you can’t physically see them". His vocals on the song border on near-screamo in places. Despite the track having three-part harmonies, it was written when the only members in the band who could sing were Barcalow and Strohmeyer. Palumbo's singing voice on "Grey Matter" recalled Bad Brains frontman H.R. "Awake" was one of Finch's oldest songs, which Barcalow said is about a couple resolving an argument. "Project Mayhem" initially existed as a two-minute track, before Trombino altered it into the final version, and incorporated programming. "Ender" begins with a subdued intro that steadily coalesces by the third minute, when it progresses with a constant piano part, and ends with an ambient instrumental section. "What It Is to Burn" is written from the perspective of a man in hell sending a letter to his partner. Barcalow said it dealt with loneliness and being able to relate with someone that is also experiencing that same emotion. Release and promotion Finch's debut EP Falling into Place was released in October 2001, featuring early versions of "Letters to You" and "Perfection Through Silence". A music video for "Letters to You" was released in January 2002. Doherty said the video was "[a]trocious," while Linares called it "[b]asically a piece of shit." On January 13, 2002, "Untitled" was posted online. What It Is to Burn was released on March 12, 2002, as a joint release between MCA and Drive-Thru Records. The artwork features an ice bucket and measurements, and a beaker with boiling liquid; Doherty said the band "just wanted some cool imagery." The art direction and design were done by