GLORY OF THE INNER FORCE

I am always torn when I review albums that I just don't get. Since Finch is obviously such a respected name, part of me feels unqualified to comment, and opting not to throw my hat in the ring. If Finch were classified as fusion or jazz rock, or at least heavy prog, where I feel they belong, I would indeed remain silent, since there is little in those genres that I enjoy. Since I am a symphonic prog fan, I feel obliged to weigh in so that my cohorts are at least aware that Finch might be beyond our ken, so to speak.

No denying the abilities of all four members to play well, especially Jan Van Nimwegen on guitars and Peter Vink on bass, whose runs even stun the instrumentally challenged like myself. But this music is just too dense, incessant and half baked from a compositional perspective that I find it hard to recommend to fans of lighter or mid level symphonic prog. It really is instrumental virtuosity on display and little else, so if you like that you are all set, and may the inner force, and intestinal fortitude, be with you.