BEYOND EXPRESSION

The upbeat jazz rhythm and guitar tone are heavily reminiscent of Camel. In fact, if anyone liked Camel but thought they could've rocked out more, he would find satisfaction in Finch's second album. My greatest criticism is that the guitarist is too industrious, frequently erupting in a blitzkrieg of high-pitched notes.

"A Passion Condensed" I found the initial synthesizer a bit rough, though the lead guitar is satisfying and the rhythm section is in overdrive for much of the piece. The softer side of Finch emerges midway through, perhaps to offer the listener a respite from the rapid jazzy rock that filled the first eight minutes. The scathing guitar work is too busy, flying about like a hummingbird on uppers over a chord progression identical to "Breathe" by Pink Floyd.

"Scars on the Ego" The second and shortest piece offers the keyboardist an opportunity to shine through various sonic textures, and thankfully, the guitarist shows his more placid capabilities. Though the electric guitar solo is still riddled with activity, it serves well as a crescendo tapering off into the halcyon haze.

"Beyond the Bizarre" Gentle and melodic, this is perhaps the most solid of the three compositions, because even when it becomes heavier, it is not perforated with rapid-fire guitar. Indeed, the lead player infuses the piece with appropriate bends and phrases that accentuate the rhythmic shifts. The smooth, happy-go-lucky keyboard runs are reminiscent of "Cinema Show" by Genesis.