Review Summary: A great debut from one of the best 70's Dutch prog bands.
“Glory Of The Inner Force” is the debut studio album of Finch that was released in 1975. The line up on the album is Joop Van Nimwegen, Cleem Determeijer, Peter Vink and Beer Klaasse.
As we know, progressive rock music was born in the end of the 60’s. During the 70’s it was essentially a phenomenon that occurred in the UK. Despite of that, it also appeared in many other countries all over the world. But, it had an important expression in some European countries, especially in Italy, France, Sweden and the Netherlands. The most representative Dutch bands in those days, were probably Focus, Supersister, Kayak, Trace, Earth And Fire and Finch.
Finch was a Dutch progressive rock band that continued to be known internationally years after their final concert on 14 November 1978 at the World Forum Convention Centre in The Hague. Finch was founded in 1974 by ex-Q’65 members Peter Vink and Beer Klaasse. As they had a keyboard player called Paul Vink (ex-Twelve O’Clock and Swinging Soul Machine, with no relation between both), they decided to call themselves Finch. Vink is the Dutch name for Finch. The band’s instrumental music was dominated by the lead guitarist Joop Van Nimwegen, who’d also played in Q’65 and had just left Cobra. Initially the band had an unknown singer and a second drummer Marco Vrolijk, ex-Supersister, but they settled on as an instrumental four piece band. Before they recorded their first album Paul Vink left for Livin’ Blues and was replaced by Clemens (Cleem) Deetmeijer. Their first album hardly sold at all, but got a lot of attention in the international music press. Over the years “Glory Of The Inner Force” became a collector’s item in the prog rock circles.
This Dutch instrumental progressive rock band partly sounded like a more fusion influenced version of Focus. The musicianship and playing of the band is really tight, impressive and energetic. Their first album “Glory Of The Inner Force” consists of four long and complex tracks. On this album Finch offers quite complex instrumental prog, which moves in moderate fusion realms and it’s also symphonically coloured in places. Beautiful synth inserts are then integrated into this explosive rhythmic network, which sometimes expands its jazzy character with many symphonic elements. The whole range of analog instruments is offered. The song writing offers a balanced mix of improvised and structured elements, whereby these opposites come together to form a densely spun carpet of sound. The dreamy symphonic interludes are very nice, which are woven into the fast paced instrumental rock as to the beautiful havens of softer moments. The titles thrive on spontaneous tempo changes with a euphoric dynamic basic tone predominating.
“Glory Of The Inner Force” has only four tracks. “Register Magister” shows a band wanting to establish an excellent sound intertwining led by very technical keys, robust bass lines and fierce beats in a melody very well guided by the guitar in a Jan Akkeerman’s style. Everything sounds relentless. It’s impossible not to mention Determejer’s keyboard work that is coming from all sides which give some impressive touches to the piece. “Parodoxical Moods” is an even more aggressive and sweeping piece, showcasing some extremely sophisticated musical rides. As it develops, the music alternates between angry thrusts and softer moments. In the middle the organ takes the lead with a lively solo. Overall, the band delivers a song full of sound nuances that mix very well and deliver a sensational piece to the listener. “Pisces” starts with a nice guitar work until the bass groove puts everything in its place, fiercely pushing the track forward. It has a jazzy organ solo that draws a lot of attention while behind it the band produces nice instrumental lines, mainly on guitar. The mid section is smooth and very beautiful, certainly the most mesmerizing moment on the album. “A Bridge To Alice” is a very complex track were the technical execution is simply supreme. It’s possible to perceive a joy, as if the musicians were only concerned with having fun. The breadth of the stylistic changes on this track alone is mind blowing with raucous rock riffs and swinging jazz. This is an apotheotic track that ends the album in a great style.
Conclusion: “Glory Of The Inner Force” has material with a combination of technique, creativity and daring. There are only four tracks, but all are dense and complex, as well as very melodic. The instrumental delivery of these four talented musicians is of diverse moods and intricate rhythms always satisfying, in high voltage and efficiency. Finch’s debut can be recommended for fans of the progressive rock music of the 70’s especially if they have no fear to contact with some moderate jazz moments. The instrumental version of the progressive rock music has seldom been presented more tensely. This is for those who have always been friends with Focus and are open to a dynamically complex version of this musical approach. Finch would be just your thing if you’re looking for a more fusion orientated version of the Focus’ sound. “Glory Of The Inner Force” is a nice 70’s prog album that must be owned by all good music lovers.
Music was my first love.
John Miles (Rebel)
