FOCUS II [AKA: MOVING WAVES]

Of course, everyone knows this release because of "Hocus Pocus", which is THE novelty hit of the progressive rock era, what with Thijs van Leer's yodelling, whistling and cartoon voices over proto-metal guitar riffs. It was also highly out-of-character for the band. The rest of the A-side-the acoustic guitar spotlight piece "Le Clochard (Bread)", the gentle flute-fronted "Janis", the pensive vocal ballad "Moving Waves" and the soaring guitar-based prog number "Focus II"-is far more indicative of the band's style.

This was also the first Focus album to attempt and out-and-out epic, with the 23-minute "Eruption" suite. It's a propulsive piece, full of forceful momentum, packed to the gills with great organ playing from van Leer, fine guitarwork from Akkerman. Unfortunately the momentum comes to a dead stop for "Endless Road", the drum solo, and never really regains it. Why did bands ever think that drum solos in the recording studio were EVER a good idea?