3

Focus

Symphonic Prog

3.83 | 581 ratings

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Seyo
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator

A double album is always a daring task, even for the most accomplished and creative artists and many have fallen into that trap. FOCUS is no exception.

The third album consists basically of re-cycling and re-hashing the successful formula of the Moving Waves, only this time the whole package runs excessively too long. Almost 27 minutes of Anonymous II is boring to death with its never-ending improvisations and repeating the musical themes from the successful first part from the debut album. Even the rest of the material is not so compelling (even the standard Focus instrumental part III is not on par with earlier versions) and at best moments sounds quite average. You can enjoy listening but you are also easily bored or urged to skip.

Still, there are three exceptional pieces. Sylvia has a seducing melody of anthem-like proportions, excellent guitar riff and solo with tasty vocal parts - no wonder it was a hit and remained one of the band's best moments. Answers, Questions... is everything that Anonymous II is not - extremely elaborated, energetic improvisational jam, close to jazz fusion style and with marvelous performance of bass, guitar and flute. Finally, there is a sweet acoustic medieval-sounding miniature Elspeth of Nottingham that includes lute-like string instrument.

CD version of Focus III includes 8 tracks. Anonymous II as a single track minus totally redundant House of the King which is on the debut album. Hell, if they ask me I would erase the entire Anonymous II section and make a decent single-disc-length album. Then it might deserve 4 stars...

PERSONAL RATING: 2,5/5

P.A. RATING: 3/5

Seyo | 3/5 | 2008-3-1

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