FINCH - Glory Of The Inner Force
Considered by many to be one of the more overlooked progressive rock groups,
Finch were a Dutch instrumental band that recorded three albums in the 1970s.
The group consisted of guitarist Joop Van Nimwegen, keyboardist Paul Vink,
Peter Vink (bass), and Beer Klaasse (drums). Combining symphonic progressive
edge with a jazzy rhythm section (Hammond organ and Mellotron), the much
lauded album, "Glory of the Inner Force", finds the group at their apex.
Selections (with times) are: Register Magister (9:18); Paradoxical Moods
(10.30); Pisces (9:30); and A Bridge To Alice (13:12). "Register Magister"
is the track everyone loves, probably by virtue of being placed first, and
it definitely rules, grabbing the listener with an aggressive guitar hook
and leading one through a complex maze of powerful themes, melodies and
solos. The second track, "Paradoxical Moods", is another favorite, as it
is the most varied, not to mention an intense extended Hammond organ solo
near the end. "Pisces" feature the aggressive solo work of Joop Van Nimwegen
with a consistent tone, and has its moments, and then "Bridge To Alice",
changes things up with some more spacey moody playing. One of the strong
points of the band is their ability to switch between fast and slow sections
during a song and make it flow smoothly. Nothing sounds forced or rough.
Although their fellow countrymen, Focus, are better known, Finch play an
extremely competent style of frenetic, yet melodic, instrumental progressive
music based on the intense guitar/keyboard interplay, within complex instrumental
themes. If you like Curved Air, John Cale, Yes, Camel, Hubert Laws, or Pink
Floyd, then you owe it to yourself to check out the talents of Finch. This
is an Original 1975 pressing on ATCO RECORDS (SD 36-124), and is STILL FACTORY
SEALED!
