FOCUS II [AKA: MOVING WAVES]

Focus for years was Dutch face of prog, and I believe Moving Waves is their most representative work. So, if you are newbie and just want to imagine, what Dutch classic prog means, listen to that album.

Very professionally made, this album (as almost any other Focus album as well) never was my favourite. I really enjoy some excellent moments in this music, but in all this album for me is very characteristic example what European Continental prog is (I don't speak there about such specific forms as Krautrock or Zeuhl).

Having some similarities with British early prog, Continental one usually didn't have bluesy or jazzy roots. And instead huge component added was European classical music and domestic folk. Focus is bright example - music on this album is well played, almost calculated,mix of classical tunes and arrangements, Dutch folk, some Broadway musicals' tricks and after that all - some doze of rock instrumentation, obviously influenced by British sound of that time.

Result is ... a bit uncomfortable for me. Almost all songs has great melodies, musicianship is on the good level as well, but all album sounds as high quality local dance/music hall band adapted their music for more modern auditory, trying to attract rebelling teens, children of respectable burgers. In fact, musicians even didn't tried too hard and under the thin skin music stayed the same as decades before.

There are plenty of similar sounded bands of that time from all region, mostly Germany, Benelux,Denmark,Austria,France. "Not-rock-countries" in short. Focus is possibly leading band of that sub-genre, and this album is one of the best between similar ones.

Still really good work, but will never steal your heart or soul I think.