GALLEONS OF PASSION

While I was more harsh towards "Glory of the Inner Force" from a symphonic perspective, ie-it isn't, "Galleons" can rightly claim to belong to that genre, while still retaining aspects of fusion and an improvised quality. Here we have a lot more contrast in tempo and intensity, with not all the band members playing full bore quite as often. All in all, a much more mature work that was unfortunately their last, and leaves one wondering what creative turn they may have taken next, given what was going on in popular music at the time. Then again, Finch seemed quite impervious to such trends, and all I can really discern is a greater Camel influence, chiefly in the languid guitar leads, not surprisingly given Camel's surge in popularity in the mid 1970s, as well as a few nods to countrymen Focus. Despite the improvement, and some really strong segments especially in the closing 2 tracks, Finch lacks the compositional skills and even occasional vocals of a Camel or Focus, that could provide the galleon onto which the average prog listener could passionately set sail. 2.5 stars rounded down.