X

X marks the spot, and Focus X marks the REAL return of the band. Whereas the previous two albums did not quite have the energy and appeal of the original albums of the early seventies, Focus X is a completely different story. It is like a crossroad venturing into a new exciting era of the band. The first thing I noticed on Focus X was the excellent drumming on this album which contributes to the high energy. It looks as if Pierre van der Linden has not aged since the seventies, since he plays with the same energy as when he did 40 years ago. It makes you wonder if perhaps he has built a timemachine in the seventies which enables him to travel back and forth in time. Thijs van Leer's compositions are inspired and have a great appeal. Although you clearly will be able to hear familiar themes and links to the past, the new music really shines, not in the least aided by his humor which also has not aged one bit. Focus is not just a band going to the motions of trying to relive the past, no, this is Focus today, a band which builds further on what it has done in the past with renewed musical vigor and energy. I will refrain from discussing each track with you since you can find the details in other reviews on this site. The most often heard comment is that Focus is not complete without Jan Akkerman. However, this comment is proven false by the guitarist of the band, Menno Gootjes, who definitely is a guitarist in his own class and whose contributions both in terms of his musicianship and his music make you forget about Akkerman. Bobby Jacobs' musicianship gives the band a strong solid foundation for the compositions to shine, and together these four sound like a fantastic band which makes you forget about the past and wonder about what next the band may come up with. Hopefully they will not wait another 6 years to release another album, life simply is too short. I loved this album from beginning to end, and that is why I give it a full 5 star rating. If you love what Focus did you simply got to have this album. This is not a band trying to relive the past, it is not a a typical band with oldies trying to relive the past, no, it is a vigorous energetic band with clear, tight and inspired musicianship.