Album Review: In and Out Of Focus

Album: In and Out Of Focus

Artist: Focus

Label: Polydor

Release Date: 1970

Originally released as Focus plays Focus and re-released in the UK and USA once the band had gained some prominence in the progressive rock scene, Focus's debut album displays a far more pop orientated vocal approach mixed in with the progressive instrumentals for which they became better known later. In terms of sales, the album didn't perform particularly well originally, although it was critically acclaimed. The later re-pressings improved its sales performance but as an album it is one of their least recognised.

The first 3 songs are all in a fairly traditional verse and chorus pop style with vocal parts and no real hint at the band's instrumental proficiency. A flute solo on 'Sugar Island' is perhaps the only indication that the band's talent runs deeper than the first trio of songs might suggest. They're fairly catchy and inoffensive, I'd go so far as to say that they'd be a decent pop style band, had they continued to make less progressive music.

'Anonymous' is the first instrumental song on the album and unless you're aware of what's coming, it almost takes the listener by surprise with it's fast paced full band instrumentals and solos. The band move from section to section seamlessly, making the music more interesting than even the vocal songs preceding it. The longest song so far on the album, it almost effortlessly holds the listener's attention with the amount of things going on at once. 'House Of The King' provides another instrumental track, using the intro from Anonymous once again before taking off in a completely different direction. Its musical structure is more basic than that of the preceding track but it's a testament to the band's originality that both pieces are equally exciting and interesting.

An alternative cover for the album

'Happy Nightmare (Mescaline)' returns the album to vocal songs, although its instrumentation and style is a little more in keeping with the songs before it. It's lyrics deal with a somewhat psychedelic mescaline trip and the thoughts in a user's head, while the next song 'Why Dream''s lyrics almost seem to send a pessimistic message about the "current" state of the world. On closer inspection however, it's possible that the song is trying to send more of anti-pessimism message. However it was intended, just like the song before, it has more stylistic appeal and progressive rock flair than the first trio of songs.

The final song is an extended instrumental version of the first song on the album, 'Focus' which begins in much the same way as the vocal version but evolves to contain more of the band's instrumental prowess and ideas than the vocal version displayed. The vocal line is played by Akkerman's guitar which allows for little embellishments on the tune, and some interesting mini-solos.

On listening to In and Out Of Focus, you can almost feel the band attempting to infuse their vocal songs with the instrumental flair they show on tracks like Anonymous and House of the King. In a way there's something for everyone to enjoy, with some songs featuring a more pop oriented structure and others leaning much closer to progressive rock. Perhaps it's also fair to say that the band wasn't quite sure of the direction their music would take later on in their career. What is clear to see however, is the talent and compositional skill of all the musicians involved. This makes for an interesting listen, especially if you've heard other Focus albums to compare it to.

Rating 4.00/5.00