Focus [Original recording remastered]

Focus [Original recording remastered]

Track Listings

1. Veil of Maya

2. Celestial Voyage

3. Eagle Nature

4. Sentiment

5. I'm But a Wave to...

6. Uroboric Forms

7. Textures

8. How Could I

9. Veil of Maya [2004 Remix] [*]

10. I'm But a Wave To... [2004 Remix] [*]

11. How Could I [2004 Remix] [*]

12. Cosmos

13. Circle's Gone

14. Endless Endeavors

Tracks:

Focus & Activate The Mind: Vc Con No.3 in G, K 216: Allegro - Takako Nishizaki
Focus & Activate The Mind: Sym No.13 in F, K 112: Andante - Nicholas Ward
Focus & Activate The Mind: Son in F, K 376: Allegro - Takako Nishizaki
Focus & Activate The Mind: Sym No.8 in D, K 48: Andante - Nicholas Ward
Focus & Activate The Mind: Son No.11 in G, K 379: Andantino Cantabile - Takako Nishizaki
Focus & Activate The Mind: Son in B flat, K 379: Andantino Sostenuto E Cantabile - Takako Nishizaki
Focus & Activate The Mind: Sym No.4 in D, K 19: Andante - Nicholas Ward
Focus & Activate The Mind: Vn Con No.5 in A, K 219: Tempo Di Menuetto - Takako Nishizaki
Focus & Activate The Mind: Son in D, K 448: Allegro Con Spirito - Nadine Palmier

Tracks:

Clarity & Restful Attention: Cassination in B flat, K 99: Andante - Harald Nerat
Clarity & Restful Attention: Sym No.27 in G, K 199/161b: Andante Grazioso - Capella Istropolitana
Clarity & Restful Attention: Ser in D, K 250: Andante - Capella Istropolitana
Clarity & Restful Attention: Qt No.23 in F, K 590: Andante (Allegretto) - Eder Quartet
Clarity & Restful Attention: Ser in D, K 250: Andante - Takako Nishizaki/Capella Istropolitana/Johannes Wildner
Clarity & Restful Attention: Con No.20 in d, K 466: Romance - Jeno Jando/Concentus Hungaricus/Andras Ligeti
Clarity & Restful Attention: Divert in D, K 131: Allgretto - Capella Istropolitana/Harald Nerat
Clarity & Restful Attention: Vn Son No.2 in E flat, K 302: Rondeau: Andante Grazioso - Takako Nishizaki/Jeno Jando

Customer Reviews:

Mozart effective.......2007-04-07

I love classical music, bought this for my child who has attention difficulties, he enjoys hearing it in the background as he completes his homework assignments.

Mozart is #1!.......2007-02-20

I tried this cd when I studied for math and physics to improve my grades and it sounds kind of crazy but the very first time I listened to this about a week before my trigonometry exam, I made the highest grade on it than ever before. There is something truley amazing with these volumes of the mozart effect, im going to get volumes 1-5 because it really helps me with math. I actually look forward to doing my math homework now..its brilliant! One of my favorite songs out all the albums is on this one..its song #3 on the focus cd,its awesome! Preview it and you will see what I mean.

must have for ADHD.......2006-03-09

I ordered this cd set for both my son and husband who have ADHD. It absolutely has a calming effect on both. My husband has the cd on his IPOD and sleeps through the night. My son listens to the cds while doing homework and to fall asleep.
If you have a child w/ADD/ADHD, this cd set is worth a try.

Average customer rating:

Focus - A Nice Overview Of The Band's Career
Don't need anything else.
ROCK'S MOST JAMMIN' SONG.....................PERIOD!!!!!!!!
Only "Hocus Pocus" is any good
Dutch Treat !

The Best of Focus: Hocus Pocus
Focus
Manufacturer: Import [Generic]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Moving Waves
Focus III
Hamburger Concerto
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Live at the Rainbow

ASIN: B00005B361
Release Date: 2001-02-19

Tracks:

Hocus Pocus
Anonymus
House of the King
Focus [Instrumental]
Janis
Focus II
Tommy (Eruption)
Sylvia
Focus III
Harem Scarem
Mother Focus
Focus IV
Bennie Helder
Glider
Red Sky at Night
Hocus Pocus [US Single Version]

Album Description

Reissue of 1994 compilation for the Dutch progressive rock act best known for their 1973 hit single 'Hocus Pocus', featured here alongside 15 other tracks (16 in all) including the U.S. single version of 'Hocus Pocus'. 2001 release. Standard jewel case.

Album Details

Digitally remastered compilation of their greatest hits.

Customer Reviews:

Focus - A Nice Overview Of The Band's Career.......2007-03-19

I came a bit late to the Focus bandwagon. Of course I had heard their one big US it "Hocus Pocus" which still gets classic rock airplay to this day, but I had never explored any of their albums. When we signed the band to play ProgDay 2004 I thought I should pick up a compilation and this is the one I picked. I was very pleasantly surprised. The album presents a nice overview of the band's career and the recordings have all been remasterd and sound top notch. There are two versions of "Hocus Pocus" the single which made it into the top 10 on the singles charts back in the 70's. Most of the band's other best known stuff is here too including "Sylvia", "House Of The King", "Harem Scarem" and "Focus III". The album is all instrumental with the exception of a few yodels and yelps from Thjis Van Leer. Both Van Leer and Jan Akkerman shine on their respective instruments throughout and the album switches between up tempo rockers and more mellow melodic fare. Overall this is a nice compilation and would serve as a decent into to the band's material.

Don't need anything else........2004-06-25

If you know of Focus, and are just a casual fan, then this is all you need. They definitely have more depth than just "Hocus Pocus" but in reality this is a good overview of their career.

ROCK'S MOST JAMMIN' SONG.....................PERIOD!!!!!!!!.......2004-06-23

If there exsists a more "jammin" "kick **s" "put the pedal to the metal" song out there.......I've never heard it!! Nothing comes close to this rock masterpiece. When you think they can't possibly "turn it up a another notch", they pull it off flawlessly, and never stop!!

Only "Hocus Pocus" is any good.......2004-06-08

...which is fine with me, because that was what I bought the disc for. But I just wanted to warn those who might expect a whole album of comparatively high-quality music that there's a good reason for which the group is only known for the one song. The remainder of the album alternates between attempts at ripping off Jethro Tull and ripping off Pink Floyd, but they never get anywhere near either band's skills in either the composing nor the performing sense.

"Hocus Pocus" is a fantastic hard rock song. There's nothing else in the world that's quite like it. The rest of the album never even approaches this level of hyperactive intensity. They're basically a very mellow group except during "Hocus Pocus," and thankfully, the long six-plus-minute version is the one featured, along with an odd shorter version at the end of the disc that's not mixed very well.

While there's a lot of instrumental music I love (Zappa, anyone?), I thought I should warn those expecting vocal rock that this is a completely instrumental album (unless you count the occasional "yeah" or yodel).

To sum up, then: Phenomenal title track, followed by an hour of filler.

Dutch Treat !.......2004-06-03

Has it really been over 30 years since this terrific group of musicians from Holland scored a huge success with their "Moving Waves" album, and the highly original signature tune, "Hocus Pocus" ? Time flies--but, in the case of Focus, time has been kind--their music still sounds fresh, melodic and exciting.

The band went through some personnel changes, but the key members were Thijs Van Leer ( keyboards, flute, vocals ), and guitar whiz, Jan Akkerman. I have fond memories of seeing them live in Montreal--an awesome concert.

This CD is an excellent retrospecive of their most memorable numbers. Their music was primarily instrumental,and "progressive" in the most positive sense. The "focus" here--if you'll pardon the pun--was on musicianship--these guys could really play. I suspect Akkerman and Van Leer might have had some classical training in their youth. All their well-known numbers are included--"Harem Scarem", "Sylvia", "Janis" and two different versions of "Hocus Pocus".

The 70s was an era where bands flourished who had only the most talented musicians. Later, progressive rock groups were often labelled pretentious--usually by critics who could only appreciate three-chord boogies ! Well--this "pretentious" music gave us some of the most incredible musicians rock has ever had--Steve Howe, Tony Banks, Keith Emerson, Dave Gilmour, Phil Manzanera, Robert Fripp, Daryl Way and--yes--Jan Akkerman. When I hear some of the junk that is selling today, I don't know whether to laugh or cry !

Tracks:

Hocus Pocus
Clochard
Janis
Moving Waves
Focus II
Eruption: Orfeus/Answer/Orfeus/Answer/Pupilla/Tommy/Pupilla/Answer/The
Answer (Eruption)
Orfeus (Eruption)
Answer (Eruption)
Pupilla (Eruption)
Tommy (Eruption)
Pupilla (Eruption)
Answer (Eruption)
Bridge (Eruption)
Break
Euridice (Eruption)
Dayglow (Euruption)
Endless Road (Eruption)
Answer (Eruption)
Orfeus (Eruption)
Euridice (Eruption)

Album Description

Reissue of 1971 album for Dutch progressive rock act best known for their 1973 hit single 'Hocus Pocus', included here. 2001 release. Standard jewel case.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered Version of the Dutch Progressive Rockers' Second Album, which Includes the Worlwide Smash Hit that Made Yodeling Chic for 15 Minutes, 'hocus Pocus'. Includes Some of the Finest Guitar Work by Jan Akkerman.

Customer Reviews:

A quirky album that plays to their strengths..........2006-11-18

Focus caught a wave in the US with their eccentric hit, Hocus Pocus. The song was novel and catchy enough to give Moving Waves some notice, although some were surely surprised at how unique Hocus Pocus was even within the context of the rest of the album. The rest of it is decidedly more serious and less focused, as it were. Short on vocals (thankfully so) and long on classically influenced instrumental suites, Moving Waves covers a lot of musical territory, sometimes within the same song. For serious prog rock fans it's a delicious cornucopia. For casual listeners who are expecting more songs like Hocus Pocus it can be maddening. The album's centerpiece, Eruption, is by far the most interesting song (plenty of opportunity as it comprises the last half of the album), even if its foundation is little more than an extended jam featuring lengthy keyboard and guitar solos by Van Leer and Akkerman. It's hardly a spontaneous affair though, carefully laid out to range from somber to achingly beautiful to borderline chaos with a keen sense of musical drama keeping it all tied together as it reaches an end that seems to arrive all too soon despite its length. If you really like Hocus Pocus, a compilation might be the way to go as most of them include the shorter, more accessible songs. If you're willing to hang on for the ride, Moving Waves offers a wild one indeed, but a very satisfying one as well.

Pop. Rock. Progressive rock. Arty pop. Call it what you like. Just listen to it....Brilliant!.......2006-05-10

This album was so well composed and executed that it has easily stood the test of time. It is good music through and through; clever, exciting, beautiful and moving. This band of dutch guys really knew what they were doing and boy could they play. They were (and still are) essentially an instrumental outfit with the melody carried by guitar, flute, keyboards and occasionally vocals. Focus didn't appear to be too much swayed by music fashions or commercial pressures of the music business when they recorded this album and that is one of the reasons why "Moving Waves" still sounds as fresh and exciting today as it did when it was released in the early 1970's. I wonder if dutchman Eddie van Halen was paying homage to Jan Akkerman and Focus when he used the title "Eruption" for his ground-breaking solo piece for guitar in the late 1970's.

The album kicks off with the one that was released as a 45, "Hocus pocus" a thunderous, relentless rocker composed by Akkerman and van Leer. Comical, but brilliant and hailed by many as a so-called rock classic, it has lots of novelties, tricks and dazzling guitar licks. Keyboardist Thijs (pronounced Tys) van Leer plays the jester with his wild flute playing, whistling, yodelling and other crazy vocal gymnastics, effortlessly hitting notes higher than Brian and Carl Wilson ever went on any Beach Boys recording. Not to be outdone, guitarist Jan Akkerman provides a lot of the thrills and excitement with his amazing gibson les paul guitar antics. Cracking job by the rhythm section, drummer Pierre van der Linden and bassist Cyril Havermans.

In contrast to this, on the next track Jan displays his talent on classical guitar by playing his own composition, the gentle, haunting "Le clochard(bread)". Lovely touch by Thijs with the mellotron accompaniment which adds a bit of weirdness and eerieness to the piece. GORGEOUS! Track 3 "Janis", another Akkerman composition features Thijs on multitracked, interwoven flute parts. The impressionistic title piece "Moving waves" (one of the few actual songs with words that Focus ever did) is one the sayings of Hazrat Inayat Khan set to music by Thijs on vocals and piano. Listen to the words with the music that van Leer has written. The rippling piano chords and the crescendos and diminuendos conjur up the image of ocean waves as they "become excited and then all calm together". The ascending last few chords rise with the waves as they "reach upwards" (to the moon). This is good composing. Track 5, oh yes! Thijs van Leer's "Focus II" with classical and jazz influences and beautifully sensitive guitar playing by Jan. It is typical of Akkerman to add expression with the use of dynamics and subtle phrasing to enhance a melody as he does on this magical piece. Nobody does this better than him. STUNNING!

However, the best is yet to come. The final piece is made up of several compositions, most by Thijs who came up with the overall concept "Eruption", aptly titled lasting 23 minutes. It commences with a line borrowed from Monteverdi's "L'Orfeo" with hammond organ, bass guitar and Jan Akkerman's violin guitar effect (guitar volume control tweaking. You hear a smooth note without the sound of the plucking). The sound is mesmerising and really grabs your attention. After a minute or two, it bursts into life taking you on a journey through the most amazing music, including stunning guitar solos and a couple of incredibly skillful drum solos which add hugely to the overall piece and don't lose your interest for a second. The variety of musical styles in "Eruption" is incredible; from the renaissance style compositions "Orpheus" and "Dayglow" to the Santana-esque organ break segment of "The bridge". Thijs's rock/jazz hammond organ playing is fabulous. In "Euridice" he shows his talent as a flautist producing the richest timbres achievable on a flute. The richly melodic guitar oriented segment "Pupilla/Tommy" is spine-tinglingly SUBLIME! As mentioned in an earlier Amazon review of this album by Ryle Shermatz, a lot of the impact of these individual pieces comes from the contrast between each one and the next. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

Technically brilliant with a lot of feel and a real understanding of music, Jan Akkerman is one of the most versatile guitarists in the business. Drummer Pierre van der Linden has a lot of musicality, not only providing the beat and rhythm, but hugely augmenting the music with his incredibly creative and expressive, skillful drumming. Cyril Havermans (later replaced by Bert Ruiter) plays a highly musical, rhythmic and solid bass. Multi-talented keyboardist, flautist and vocalist Thijs van Leer has a great gift for composition and has written music which stands among THE MOST EXCITING, ORIGINAL AND BRILLIANT ROCK/POP MUSIC EVER PRODUCED.

Get "Moving waves" if you are interested in hearing something dramatically different. You won't believe your ears and you will not be disappointed!

Simply the Greatest Prog Rock LP of All Time.......2006-01-14

My Amazon recommendation string led me to the Focus "Moving Waves" page, and I was (as usual) interested in having my own long-held opinions validated by kindred spirits world wide. Unfortunately, I find only scattershot praise for what in my estimation is in fact THE GREATEST PROG ROCK ALBUM OF ALL TIME.

I should quickly explain that as we grow up, we all have awakening experiences that open up new dimensions of life to us. Some we can remember, some we can't. For me, however, at age 15-16 or so, hearing Focus' "Moving Waves" around 1972-73 on a cruddy console stereo in a friend's basement was surely a defining musical experience in my life. I'd grown up (like everyone else) with the Beatles & Stones and the rest of the great British invasion sounds, and they certainly deserve their spot in the firmament of R&R heaven. But "Moving Waves" was (and is) a unique synthesis of rock, jazz, classical, all fused into an in-your-face whole that grabbed me by the throat and shook me for the rest of my life.

I will not presume on your attention any longer than necessary except to point out that the fury and swagger of Jan Akkerman's guitar solos has NEVER been equaled by any other guitarist in my hearing. Yeah, you could call "Hocus Pocus" (by Focus) "silly", but you'd be WRONG WRONG WRONG. This is a band completely hitting its stride, a band that can do ANYTHING and if you got a problem with the yodeling, go buy the new Bobby Sherman album instead. What other band has had the sheer audacity to even consider such a thing and pull it off with such blistering panache?

I cannot close without trying to impart some of the emotional majesty of side two's (yeah, I'm an LP era guy) track-long opus "Eruption;" several instrumental themes are introduced and repeated over the course of a 20+ minute "suite." It's all a more than worthy effort, and I won't belabor your attention with a blow-by-blow description, but the BIG MOMENT comes toward the middle of the piece--the section titled "The Bridge" concludes with two smashing chords repeated as a launching pad for Akkerman's blistering descending Gibson Les Paul custom runs; repeated three times with variations by the angelically-inspired Akkerman, he's left snarling in the void on his own with no accompaniment. Closing with a final descending left-hand only tear-off riff (I know of no other guitarist who could do this), the section ends abruptly, segueing to flautist/organist Thijs Van Leer's sublime "Euridice" (pron. "you-rid-a-sea" for the benefit of those not aware of Greek mythology), a gentle flute/piano duo eventually adding the entire quartet that is as close to perfection as I can imagine. It's not just the beauty of the composition--it's the amazing, stark contrast between the "over the cliff" fury of Akkerman's guitar followed by the Johann Sebastian consonance of Van Leer's singular genius. I KNOW I can't be the only person in the world totally captured for life by this moment. But let me hear from you.

FOCUS deserves a lot more love than this forum can lavish on them, and those who are harmonious with my assessment of "Moving Waves" should advance quickly to "Hamburger Concerto," two albums later and almost equally sublime (Van Leer is ascendent on HC, and that is NOT a bad thing). EVERY Focus album has something GREAT, including their "worst" album, 1975's "Mother Focus" which still has one of the greatest short compositions of all time, "Focus V." Very few bands ever working in "rock" had the musical chops that Focus did, and NONE came anywhere close to the absolutely unique synthesis of styles they achieved. If you're willing to give this recording a chance I do believe it can still echo down your life as it has with mine.

Best work by a good instrumental band.......2005-12-30

One of the original great bands. I also highly recommend Jan Akkerman's recent DVD - he returns to some good playing. Moving Waves is a classic.

pretty good.......2005-09-06

you'll probably buy this disc for the same reason i did - to hear "hocus pocus" again. i can't blame you. i listened to the entire disc and it's not bad at all - a bit odd here and there, but not bad at all. i'll admitt this though, i'll probably play only "hocus pocus" 90% of the times i pull this disc out of the collection. but it's worth it. enjoy.
space puppy, out

Average customer rating:

My Blasphemous Review...
Incredible
The pinnacle of 20th century metal...
A musician's album
Not Quite What I Expected...But Not In A Bad Way

Focus
Cynic
Manufacturer: Roadrunner Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Death Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Unquestionable Presence
A Sceptic's Universe
Gordian Knot
Emergent
Elements

ASIN: B0002ZYDXS
Release Date: 2004-10-05

Tracks:

Veil of Maya
Celestial Voyage
Eagle Nature
Sentiment
I'm but a Wave to...
Uroboric Forms
Textures
How Could I
Veil of Maya [2004 Remix][*]
I'm But a Wave To... [2004 Remix][*]
How Could I [2004 Remix][*]
Cosmos
Circle's Gone
Endless Endeavors

Customer Reviews:

My Blasphemous Review..........2007-07-06

I know I'm going to get rated down for this, but it is the truth.

This is a pretty okay album, it has many redeeming qualities about it. But it's not nearly as good as Cynic's old demos. The tracks in Cynic's 1990 and 1991 demos didn't make it into this album unfortunately so it's going to be hard to make my point unless you download them.

If you listen to the demo tracks, you will notice not only that the style is much different but much better. The lightning fast drumming and riffs that bless those tracks condemn this album. It even rivals Slayer's Raining Blood, Death's Symbolic and Possessed's Seven Churches in sheer musicianship.

Trust me, listen to those tracks and listen to these. There is no comparison.

Incredible.......2007-04-19

I have never heard the remixed CD, but I will sum up the music itself. It's unlike anything you have ever heard before. Some of it is aggressive, some of it is like if you "bath in pools of divine nectar". OK that was kinda dumb, but this CD is just ethereal. There are so many layers to this music, you will discover something new with every listen.

The robot vocals seem to either make or break it for people, but I feel the death metal voice is more out of place. There is just something about the pitch that I don't quite like. The robot voices actually seem to sound very atmospheric, I think.

The song writing is so incredible I just can't describe it. It doesn't sound like anything of this world.

Cynic is to me, by far the best metal band ever. Try it, you may discover something you had always hoped existed.

The pinnacle of 20th century metal..........2007-04-17

Now, i'm generally not one to throw around a statement like "the greatest album i've ever heard", but I feel compelled to tell you that everything you've heard about this album is true. It is very technical and progressive, but not in a showboatey kind of way.It comes off with an ethereal beauty, and may take a few listens to fully understand and comprehend the music that you are hearing. The more you listen, the deeper you'll appreciate the the music and notice new things you've have not heard. At times, it is fast and heavy, at others it is mellow, while the entire time jaw dropping. I don't understand how these musicians came up with this music. At first listen you will not know what to think of the music, I know I didn't. You hear the mix of somewhat robotic vocals(Paul Masvidal) and death metal vocals(Tony Teegarden), but after a few listens, you'll realize the combination really does work.

Paul Masvidal and Jason Gobel's guitars intertwine seamlessly with each other, Sean Malone's fretless bass and Chapman stick work is by far some of the best i've ever heard, and last but not least, Sean Reinert gives a fantastic and diverse display of drumming that solidifies him as one of the best drummers I've ever heard. These guys created something completely original that will not and cannot be recreated. Amazing beyond expectation, a must listen for metalheads and fans of good music alike.

A musician's album.......2007-02-15

If you enjoy innovative music and appreciate the craft, you will love this album. For some people it had to grow on them and I totally understand why. For me, I had parts of many songs stuck in my head after the second listen. This album is simultaneously a celebration of metal and a tribute to jazz. It's almost like they wanted to say "I know you think metal is all regurgitated and uninspired so listen to what we (metal musicians) can really do. We know where we come from."

If you like good music buy this album. If you do not like good music (ask your buddies), buy two copies so that after you've been transformed you can help one of your friends.

Not Quite What I Expected...But Not In A Bad Way.......2006-09-02

So I am really into Death. I mean REALLY into Death!!! I got their 'Human' album and heard the brilliant work of Sean and Paul from Cynic. I thought that Cynic with these two guys would be off the charts metal...not as good as Chuck's stuff of course but still great. Then I read some of the reviews on Amazon and got scared. Well you shouldn't be. This album is not 'Human' but it is still insanely good! Keyboard vocals, electronic drums (in some parts) might sound daunting to a Death or Atheist fan, but don't be scared. This is thinking-man's music... good metal but not death metal. With the great prices of the used Cds pick this album up. It is complex and will require more than one listening to appreciate it (Hell I'm still finding crazy stuff...) So, in conclusion you should pick this up if you are tired of boring Verse-Chorus-Verse,etc. Fans of Atheist and mid/late period Death should pick this up. I still want to hear Sean and Paul on another Death-ish album, but that is not to be. Pick this Up!!!
Bonus: The Portal tracks do not sound like Cynic but they are VERY trippy in a good way, especially 'The Circle's Gone' that has a hell of a hook to it. I don't know who sings that but it is amazing. Also just heard that Cynic is reforming, only Paul M and Sean R, though and touring US before heading to Europe for some festivals. I would love to see these guys play this stuff live!

Average customer rating:

Amazing music that you can't classify
focused!
Of its Time
A prog rock genre-bender that predates evolution of Wyndam Hill style of jazz-new age artists by almost a decade
Another dutch jewel of progressive rock...

Hamburger Concerto
Focus
Manufacturer: Red Bullet
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Moving Waves
Focus III
Mother Focus
Live at the Rainbow
In and Out of Focus

ASIN: B00005B7E8
Release Date: 2001-02-19

Tracks:

Delitiae Musicae
Harem Scarem
Cathedrale de Strasbourg
Birth
Hamburger Concert: Starter/Rare/Medium I/Medium II/Well Done/One ...
Early Birth
Hamburger Concerto: Medium I
Hamburger Concerto: Medium II
Hamburger Concerto: Well Done
Hamburger Concerto: One for the Road
Early Birth

Album Description

Reissue of 1974 album for Dutch progressive rock act best known for their 1973 hit single 'Hocus Pocus'. 12 tracks including, 'Delitiae Musicae' and 'Harem Scarem'. Featuring versatile guitarist Jan Akkerman. 2001 release. Standard jewel case.

Album Details

Digitally remastered version!

Customer Reviews:

Amazing music that you can't classify.......2007-05-14

This is jazz, rock, pop and classical all rolled into one tasty package.

I think that "Birth" is simply one of the best pieces of music ever written - that song by itself is worth this CD. The rest of the music is also sublime, moving and extremely memorable.

They don't make music like this anymore -so buy it and enjoy!

focused!.......2007-02-07

Critical reception of this LP was so poor it almost seemed like there was conspiracy among critics to get rid of the band. Uriah heep was renowned for this, but there were good reasons for that. I'll never understand why the critics hated this album. In my humble opinion, as a musician, song writer and baby boomer, this album is a masterpiece! I've listened to it thousands of times and will continue to enjoy it. If you are a fan of progressive rock and you enjoy classical music I really don't understand how you could not love this album. I have most of the "classic" prog rock albums of the 1970's in LP and CD format and I rate this among the best!

Of its Time.......2006-05-01

I've had this record since it came out and it was the subject of one of two strange Focus episodes in my life: Years later while sitting through a performance of the Bartok Concerto for Orchester I had this intense attack of deva vu: I racked my brain for days before realizing the brass chorale sections of that great piece were, shall we say, borrowed and rearranged by Focus for this album.

The other event was seeing Jan Akkerman ahead of me on line at Laserium in NY in the 70's around the time of Live at the Rainbow. He was the fastest guitarist I'd ever heard until then, at a time when things like that meant a lot more than they do today. Great band, unfairly maligned because of Hocus Pocus.

A prog rock genre-bender that predates evolution of Wyndam Hill style of jazz-new age artists by almost a decade.......2006-04-26

(My comments are as a result of purchasing the Japanese 20-bit K2 release in Tokyo, but it is the same album, and I don't emphasize sonic aspects of the particular pressing in my review--I only focus (no pun) on the nature of the music for those who have never heard Focus.)

This masterpiece opens with medieval instruments (lute, flute), then jumps into rocking boogie woogie 2nd piece, with syncopation and time siganture changes, piano & guitar with solid drums and bass behind, then in comes a Hammond organ. The instrumentals remind me a bit of Triumvirat crossed with a little straight-ahead Gentle Giant. Akkerman and Van Leer trade off between keyboards and guitars. Thougthful, well done (no pun intended).

The pieces sometimes have a Pat Metheny-esque light jazz feel that predates his arrival on the music scene by about 5 years, that mixes a jazzy guitar-driven chord structure with interspersed keyboard work (having renaissance, baroque, and medieval elements--harpsichord, lute, etc.) on "La Cathedral", then in comes a heavy drum beat and muted (somewhat funky) electric guitar exchanging riffs with a Hammond organ. Then, wafts of flute, almost Tull-ish in feel (on "Birth").

The song selection here in this Amazon web page is all buggled. The track listings are (as listed on the insert I have):

Delitae Musicae 1:13
Harem Scarem 5:52
La Cathedrale de Strasbourg 5:00
Birth 7:46
Hamburger Concert 20:20
Starter
Rare
Medium I
Medium II
Well Done
One for the Road
(these are *not* individual tracks on this CD)
Early Birth 2:54

This is really a great prog CD that strongly hints of different genres, some that won't evolve into ful-blown ones for another decade (the light jazz-new age movement that morphed into existence in the late 70s/early 80s with the likes of Wyndham Hill and Narada). But what these later blended genres don't have is a distinctly progressive rock underpinning. A bit of Tull, Gentle Giant, Triumvirat, but also a little bit of Pat Metheny, and others too numberous to name from the Wyndham Hill stable of artists of the 1980s (with the exception of Shadowfax, whose first W.H. album was released in 1976, I believe). Thoroughly confused?? Don't be. After all, it's a prog album from one of the unsung prog prioneers of the early 1970s. Akkerman and van Leer presage the evolution of Prog Jazz New Age crossover by almost a decade!

There is, of course, the yodelling and other vocal operatic devices (in the Concerto piece) that are characteristic of Focus, but they tend to add something unexpected and interesting, IMHO, and it's not overdone ad nauseam (another pun not intended). Enjoy!

Another dutch jewel of progressive rock... .......2005-09-03

This is my favourite album bye FOCUS. Mainly because this time there really was no moments of fillers or dull jams. Instead, the long title track contained just great flowing themes, never letting hold of high musical content. The short opener "Delitae Musicae" shows again Akkermans interest in medieval music compositions. "Le cathedrale de Strasbourg" is a slow, imaginative track with perfectly soothing, calm themes. "Birth" is a bit tougher, with great fluteplaying and refrain/verse. But the main act here is the title track of course. Its much calmer than other long tracks by the band, never really hitting it off and increasing in rhytm. But despite the slow paste, this flowing musical suite works just great. It has something uniqely european to its musical source, hard to put the finger on. Although the main themes might not be very complex, it noless works just fine, making this the best and most solid of all Focus' albums.

Average customer rating:

Questions? What is the best Focus album, Answers! FOCUS III
THE Best Focus album, IMO
Their Most Focused Album
Great prog from the Netherlands
The best Focus album

Focus III
Focus
Manufacturer: Import [Generic]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Moving Waves
Hamburger Concerto
Mother Focus
In and Out of Focus
Live at the Rainbow

ASIN: B00005B362
Release Date: 2001-02-19

Tracks:

Round Goes the Gossip
Love Remembered
Sylvia
Carnival Fugue
Focus III
Answers? Questions! Questions? Answers!
Elspeth of Nottingham
Anonymus Two

Album Description

Reissue of 1972 album for Dutch progressive rock act best known for their 1973 hit single 'Hocus Pocus'. 2001 release. Standard jewel case.

Album Details

Digitally remastered version!

Customer Reviews:

Questions? What is the best Focus album, Answers! FOCUS III.......2007-03-20

I like the "warm" sound production of this record and it is very appealing and will always be my favorite Focus record, I don't miss "house of the King" because I never had the original record, I first heard this on CD in 1990 and have been hooked on Focus ever since.

1. Round Goes the Gossip - rare vocal from Thiis and good start to the ultimate Focus and progressive album
2. Love Remembered - Thiis flute and synthesizer are featured in the ballad
3. Sylvia - Swirling organs and Jan's chimey rhythm guitar an dcreamy lead are the highlight of favorite Focus track
4. Carnival Fugue - a fugue, very interesting and shows their classical chops
5. Focus III / Answers? Questions! Questions? Answers!
- Jan is featured on the next 2 tracks, I always forget and thing it's 1 long track so I'll combine my comment here
7. Elspeth of Nottingham - no tmy favorite, noodlings on a lute, but pretty anyway
8. Anonymus Two - a little too long 26 minutes but some of the best ensemble playing by a progressive band ever.

THE Best Focus album, IMO.......2007-01-29

I'll go one better than fellow reviewer Herb Atlas, and say that this is unequivocally the best Focus had to offer, and that's saying a bunch. In other words, I agree with Kireviewer, (well, other than his unflattering comments on Yes' Tales From Topographic Oceans :-), which I LOVE as well). I can vividly recall the day I strolled into the local record store that carried the coolest music on a cold January day in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1973. Over the speakers came this most extraordinary music. I stood there listening, mesmerized. In food analogy, it's like the first time I ever ate Caesar's salad (WITH the anchovies, please, thank you) - it was like nothing I'd ever savoured before. Needless to say, I bought the record. To give you a sense of how precious this was to me, back in the days of vinyl, one worried about wearing a record out. There are only 2 vinyls in my collection where I purchased doubles - Aja was one, and Focus 3 is the other. I'm not saying that these are necessarily the best all time records, since our tastes and preferences evolve, but after all these years, they are still right up there for me. My favourite on Focus 3 is absolutely "Questions Answers...", and budget be damned - if there's a version that's 6 minutes longer out there, I just might buckle in one of these days and buy my THIRD Focus 3 ('3' is, after all, the number of perfection). There are a couple of things I like especially about this track: 1) the extemporaneous feel of the playing (cf Hamburger concerto, almost the OPPOSITE!) 2) The way the band played together as a unit, how the rhythm section complimented the soloists, how Thijs supported Jan when he took the solo and how Jan returned the favour when it was Thijs' turn on the organ or on the flute (perhaps the best playing on this instrument that Thijs has mustered - so beautiful in a restrained manner). This is musical heaven! 3) Last but not least gravity-defying musciality of Jan Akerman's guitar work! Listen to the way he bent that E note when the slow section first came in. At the end, when the sound of his guitar slowly fades, I could hear the smoldering of the transistors in his amp (think the end of Stevie Ray's Riveiera Paradise. Makes you sit there and go, "So Clapton is one of the best known guitarist on the planet, and how many people have heard of Jan Akerman?" Not dissing Eric as much as paying tribute to Jan. Yeah, I kind of hated how Anonymous is broken into 2 on my vinyl, and I thought including House of the King was a rip-off, but that's really nit-picky. So what I gotta ask myself is, am I willing to forego wine for a weekend dinner or two to purchase my third Focus 3? BTW, both my vinyls have the fantastic cut-out holographic cover - FAR better than the one displayed here!

Their Most Focused Album.......2006-12-23

This Dutch band had the uncanny ability at times to resemble John McLaughlin of Mahavishnu Orchestra,Yes, in their early Steve Howe sounding days, the flute and classicism of Jethro Tull, the Soft Machine in their "rockier" segments and the great guitar notes of a soaring Santana all with a touch of vocal and keyboard eccentricity..Yet, to dispel all lies, Focus were a great band with a great guitarist in Jann Ackerman and this album proves their value as this 2 LP on 1 CD is their best..
Their 1st, In and Out Of Focus was a wonderful rocking and sensitive debut, their 2nd Moving Waves, a classic exploring various styles with the monster rocker single Hocus Pocus and then here Focus 3, that found full expression with top notch stellar musicianship expanding on what was layed down earlier..they belong in every Rock collection.
All 3 albums mentioned above are on Red Bullet and were remastered and should be had by any serious listener of this genre.

Great prog from the Netherlands.......2005-11-26

Released in 1972, this mostly instrumental recording by the Dutch proggers Focus continues the wonderful blend of staggering virtuosity, classical-structure (one obvious example is a fugue), jazz, hard rock, reflective and haunting moments, and silliness developed on Moving Waves (1971), although in a somewhat more even fashion. Specifically, although there are hard rock and soft, classically-influenced pieces one right after the other, the transition between songs is not terribly jarring. In addition, different sections are integrated better within individual pieces. The eight pieces presented on Focus III range from the quiet, 2'50" "Love Remembering" to the epic, 26'24" quasi-jam session "Anonymous Two", which was originally presented as "Anonymous" on the 1970 debut "In and Out of Focus". Other continuations of earlier pieces include Focus III. The highlight of the album for me is the 13'48" "Answers? Questions! Questions? Answers!", which works very well from both a composition and arrangement perspective. Although there are lengthy solos in this piece, they are incorporated into the arrangement and do not seem gratuitous. Jan Akkerman is an incredible guitarist and creates an infinite number of moods and textures with both the acoustic guitar and clean, undistorted tones on his electric, while the Hammond organ and flute work of Thijs van Leer is something to behold. These two musicians perform on the medieval flavored piece Elspeth of Nottingham, which features just the lute and the flute. Drummer Pierre van der Linden does a great job on this album and continues the excellent work presented on Moving Waves, although this was his last performance with the group and left Focus in 1973 (he would turn up in the prog bands Group 1850 and Trace in 1974). The bassist slot opened up again on Focus III and was filled by Bert Ruiter, who lays down some solid parts. Although this album is quite good, the 26'24" Anonymous Two" is a bit too long and needlessly so. Specifically, the bass and drum solos seem to go on for just a bit too long, don't contribute much to the piece overall, and should have been omitted or severely edited. Apart from this minor complaint, Focus III is a great recording and one that is recommended to all fans of prog rock along with Moving Waves (1971), and the 1974 debut by the Dutch prog group Trace.

The best Focus album.......2004-12-18

This album has been released in many varieties. The LP in the US had two different covers. Both of those covers were completely different than what was released in Europe. There are at least 2 versions of the CD, with different tracks.

This version of the CD is missing House of The King, which was on the original LP. That would make it 67 minutes long. The original LP was 70 minutes long. I don't know why the song was left off the CD, because it would easily fit. The Japanese version of the CD does have the extra song.

I think this is the best Focus album. All the compositions are great, and interesting.

The best part is Focus III and Questions? Answers! Answers! Questions? which is combined into one long 20 minute suite. It is just a very beautiful peace.

Anonymous II is an extended version of the piece from the first Focus album (In and Out of Focus). It is basically a high energy jam that features solos by each of the group members. It could have easily been a live jam.

Progressive rock music gained a bad reputation due to the overblown excesses of the most popular groups and their very boring extended tracks (like Yes's Tales of Topographical Oceans). But that is not the case with Focus III. The next Focus album, Hamburger Concerto would feature a long suite that was not quite as successful but is still good.

After 2 more studio albums and a live album, Focus sort of broke up in 1975. They reformed in 1978 without Jan Akkerman, but added a vocalist and released Focus con Proby. The group disappeared again and van Leer formed another version in the late 90's. They recorded Focus 8 and a live album that has been released with several different titles.

Jan Akkerman went on a solo career and released some good albums. I bought one album that was factory sealed and when I opened it, the record was actually of ABBA. bummer

Average customer rating:

Best Release of 05
Soothing, Innovative Jazz Music

Focus
Marc Cary
Manufacturer: Motema Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Listen
Abstrakt/Blak
The Antidote
Rhodes Ahead, Vol. 1
Trillium

ASIN: B000FS9NA0
Release Date: 2006-06-27

Tracks:

Appointment in Ghana
Walk with Me
So Gracefully
Voyage to the Inside
Elephants Eye
Ready or Not
Taiwa
Self Preservation
Long Walk Home
Gentle Wind

Customer Reviews:

Best Release of 05.......2006-10-30

Marc Carey and crew have released possibly the best jazz release of 2005. With the opening motif on the first track repeated at the very end of the last track gives the work a feeling of being "through-composed" in the classical sense of the term. Every cut explores nuances of mode and rhythm, and Carey shines through each one of his excursions as only a true master can. This is very well worth the purchase, and I look forward to seeing more from this ensemble.

Soothing, Innovative Jazz Music.......2006-08-23

Marc Cary is an amazing pianist and composer. Do yourself a favor and pick up ALL of his CD's. You will not be disappointed.

Average customer rating:

Hi-Fi in Focus Plus
Chet Atkins
Manufacturer: Universe
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Eclectic Guitar
Gunsmoke - The First Season

ASIN: B000OCZ1QW
Release Date: 2007-04-23

Tracks:

Cumbanchero
Ain't Misbehavin'
Shadow Waltz
Anna
Yesterdays
Portuguese Washerwoman
Tiger Rag
Walk Don't Run
Tara's Theme
Johnson Rag
Lullaby Of The Leaves
Bourree
Avorada
Hidden Charm
Tricky
Martinique
Dig These Blues
Colonial Ballroom
August Mon
Red Leaves Of Autumn
It's About Time
Don't Tease My Heart
Fascinating Melody
Saw Mill River Road
Delightful Interlude
Head Over Heels
I Must Be Losing My Heart
I Won't Cry Anymore
When It's Cherry Blossom Time

Album Description

2007 reissue of this 1957 album by the guitar great, now more than doubled in length with the addition of 16 bonus tracks recorded the same year. The term 'Hi-Fi' was a buzz word of the music business during the '50s and many artists of that era recorded albums using the most advanced technologies of the time in order to put the qualities of the `modern stereo systems' to the test. Of all the albums that were recorded in this manner, HI-FI In Focus was particularly effective; the sounds of the guitar were crystalline and the tracks are among Atkins best. In fact, many consider this to be Atkins finest recording period. From Classical and Jazz to Country and Pop, Chet was able to play any style with conviction and that is more than evident on this CD. Universe.

Album Details

The Term "hi-fi" was a Buzz Word of the Music Biz During the 1950s and Many Artists of that Era Recorded Albums Using the Most Advanced Technologies of the Time in Order to Put the Qualities of the 'modern Stereo Systems' to the Test. Of all the Albums that were Recorded in this Manner, "hi-fi in Focus" was Particularly Effective; The Sounds of the Guitar were Crystalline and the Tracks Are Among Atkins Best. In Addition to the Album's 13 Original Tracks, We have Included 16 Bonus Tracks, all Recorded in 1957. Don't Miss It!

Average customer rating:

Getz's Classical Side is a Winner
Incredible
2.5 Stars: Disappointing
Wow
Truly hypnotic brilliance.

Focus
Stan Getz
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Serenity
Anniversary!
Sweet Rain
West Coast Jazz
People Time

ASIN: B0000047CY
Release Date: 1997-06-24

Tracks:

I'm Late, I'm Late
Her
Pan
I Remember When
Night Rider
Once Upon A Time
A Summer Afternoon
I'm Late, I'm Late (45 Rpm Issue)
I Remember When (45 Rpm Issue)

Customer Reviews:

Getz's Classical Side is a Winner.......2007-01-27

All of his life, Getz explored many avenues in music. Yes, all of Sauter's original musical score on this album sound like a film noir movie score from the 50s, but the brilliance of Getz's sound overshadows all of that. Getz's tonality is unbelievable, and "I'm Late, I'm Late" is an all-time treasure (not to mention "Night Rider"), just like "Take Five" was for Dave Brubeck. Getz just can't be remembered for the Samba stage of his life (e.g. Jobim and "Girl from Ipanema"); the "classical" side of his brilliance must shine as well. "Focus" does that for us.

Incredible.......2006-07-10

A number of reviewers do not rate this work too highly, maybe because it is at times eccentric, disjointed and very different. However, like many fine works of art, sometimes you just need to stand back, take it in for a while and slowly the appreciation blossoms. This is how I felt about 'Focus'! It starts to haunt you, sweep you along and you marvel at the ingenuity that Stan Getz brings; even though he at times is on the edge of his technique. Enjoy and immerse yourself in what is an amazing collaberation of musical rhythm and musicianship.

2.5 Stars: Disappointing.......2006-04-22

I hate to be a wet blanket thrown over very warm reviews here, but this album doesn't do much for me. It lacks the bounce and giddiness of the Jazz Samba album, the collaborative briliance of Getz/Gilberto, and the energy of Captain Marvel--all albums that I have listened to repeatedly. This one, however, I have played only 2 or 3 times. What does it sound like? It is Getz playing mostly to string accompaniment. One could call this Getz's "Sketches of Spain" album. It sounds a bit like Getz playing a musical score for a film that you are not watching. For me, the melodies--Getz's strong point--just aren't here. It is an earnest effort, to be sure, but it felt too much like noodling.

Wow.......2006-04-17

I'm a member of WBGO -- the NPR-Jazz station around NYC/NJ, and I'd just bought their 25th-Anniversary compliation of what they hailed to be 30 of the greatest tracks from Verve and Blue Note Records. I'd not listened to all of it yet, but figured that this would be good listening as I worked out. I put the second CD and started pedaling, when Night Rider came on. I had to stop and just listen. It was about the most amazing jazz tune I'd heard in awhile -- a virtuousic saxophone sailing amongst a turbulent sea of strings. After listening to that one song, I had to get the album.

Truly hypnotic brilliance........2006-02-16

Perfection is what this album is all about. Stan Getz's tone says it all ...pure and lush , full of the warmth of a summer evening. He mesmerises you. Just listen to the track "HER" ..a very emotionally moving ballad that Stan wrote in tribute to his mother. It carries you to another hemisphere, the jazz equivalent of astral travel. The feeling he puts into the tune is indescribable.
Stan Getz was a precise musician who never played a wrong note.
Masters like this only come about once in a lifetime.

Average customer rating:

very good
Virtue constitutes happiness
So I finally understand this masterpiece
Very Different
A monumental achievement.

Focus
Cynic
Manufacturer: Roadrunner Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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A Sceptic's Universe
Unquestionable Presence
Emergent
Piece of Time
Gordian Knot

ASIN: B000000H7A
Release Date: 1993-09-14

Tracks:

Veil of Maya
Celestial Voyage
Eagle Nature
Sentiment
I'm But a Wave to...
Uroboric Forms
Textures
How Could I

Album Description

1993 album for U.S. progressive/death metal act.

Customer Reviews:

very good.......2007-03-03

Very tight. Never heard these guys when they were playing. I am into death metal and prog but the prog came only with Dream Theater in 1992. I hate the singer but the those guys are sick players. Cynic seems to have been an influence on Dream Theater. I like the early FL death metal bands like Death, MA, and Obitiuary and Cynic seems to blend the thrash of early FL death metal with the virtuosity of WatchTower. Awesome. I'm 39 and from the bay area so I saw bands like Possesed and Exodus regularly back in the day. Cynic combines thrash with prog which is a great combination. See Athiest for another band but I like Cynic better.

Virtue constitutes happiness.......2007-01-04

They changed the direction of Technical metal in the 90's bringing a new concept, blending many styles and when I say this, Death and Jazz are not the only ones found here. Yet few words have been said about these guys and the course in Music's History seems to be lost alone the way. The new era of thinking man's metal is under the shadow of powerful companies which manipulate the fate of the genius. The ordinary mediocrity dominates where Brilliant ideas from progressive minds are left to die. Almost 14 years since this masterpiece was made and still sounds fresh. The silence craves for a new dawn. May this work be the inspirational cornerstone for new talents and the sand of time uncover the veil of ignorance from this age.

So I finally understand this masterpiece.......2006-10-27

Over this summer I reluctantly gave this seemingly overrated album another spin in another attempt at trying to "get" it and finally I did. I remember getting it in the first place since I kept hearing "the legendary Cynic, legendary this legendary that" and so on and it naturally piqued my curiosity. I'm thinking "jazz and death metal...can they possibly go together?" I mean they're both great music but can it be done? Cynic (and of course Atheist) proved it is indeed possible. However, when I first listened to it I honestly didn't like it at all. It wasn't really the music it was the weird vocals...the DM vocals I thought were awful and definitely wasn't diggin' the talk box/robotic vocals and this distracted me from really sinking it to this. Thankfully though I noticed that the jazz/metal combo did work and really liked the music.

So now I've actually learned to like the talk box vocals but I'm still not a big fan of the DM vox, they're a little too raspy and screechy, something about them rubs me the wrong way. So why does everyone seem to rave about this album? It's genius, genius because they did in fact combine two totally different music genres and make it work! One reason they were able to do it is because of the sheer talent of the band. Here you have two guitarists Jason Gobel and Paul Masvidal (who played on Death's Human) and they're very technical sometimes playing different riffs on top of one another, how they even created some of these riffs and melodies is beyond me. Sean Malone is a great bassist who's lines sound really funky and thick, it's very audible throughout the album. Of course last but not least is Sean Reinart's insane drumming (also played on Death's Human) which adds to the whole complex atmosphere on the album. Speaking of atmosphere, the spacey/trippy keyboard melodies on the album are amazing, just check out Veil of Maya, The Eagle Nature, and of course the highlight of the album TEXTURES. Holy s**t man you have got to hear this ridiculous instrumental. It's mostly a jazz piece but there's some death metal chops thrown in and includes some of the most beautiful guitar melodies I've ever heard. It's very soothing and puts you in that introspective mode where you can really sit back, relax and think.

Since this album is so unique that it's sort of hard to describe in writing. What I can tell you is that it's NOT for the average metalhead that's for sure. I highly recommended but I warn you that it'll be quite different than any other metal you're used to but it's great for any metal fan willing to try and embrace something different. It may take you awhile to fully appreciate it (it took my almost a year) but you'll thank yourself once it fully 'clicks'. If you like things similar to this try Atheist's 3 albums, Death from Human on, and I hear Gordian Knot are cool too seeing as how it has the members of this band. LATER.

Very Different.......2006-03-21

Oh, Cynic is soooo technical (sense the sarcasm). I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I dont care how technical a band is, if I dont like them music, I will not support it.

I just cant get into this album. Some of the music is interesting, but the computerized-sounding vocals just ruin the entire album.

Atheist did a much better job combining death metal and jazz-like elements. Go pick up Atheist's Piece of Time instead.

A monumental achievement........2005-12-24

I'm not going to cover the basics of this album, as there are other reviews here that can already do that better than I can.

I am a very passionate lover of music. It would even be fair to say that music is my life. That said, I'm very picky about music. That isn't to say that I think a lot of music sucks... I've just always been looking for one specific thing... and I never even knew that, until I heard Cynic.

When I first heard this record, I hated it. It confused me, and seemed incredibly random. But I was drawn to repeated listenings, and over time I started to enjoy the record. I'd listen to other music, but I kept getting drawn back into this one record. I kept hearing new things that blew my mind.

Normally, after awhile, I will tire (at least temporarily) of a band or album, but after years of having this one, it still gets the most play of anything I own. The reason why, I've come to conclude, is that in 1993, Cynic achieved something very few musicians, let alone entire bands have accomplished: complete freedom.

Let me elaborate... the songs are very structured, in mostly traditional ways. However, there are nearly zero parts where at least one instrument is not improvising or doing something fresh. Melodic lines are not thickly mirrored often; typically both guitars and the bass are doing something completely different. What this does is twofold: it keeps a level of spontaneous passion within the music at all times, and when the instruments -do- sync up, it heightens tension, since the technique isn't overabused.

This wouldn't be so impressive if the improvisations were unrelated. Cynic manage to weave melodies together that, while entirely different, relate, interact and play off of eachother in a manner that makes jazz look like child's play.

No other collection of musicians that I've been privy to in my entire lifetime has accomplished both the technical mastery of their instruments, and the ability to listen and respond so well to the musicians they're playing with, except perhaps the Mahavishnu Orchestra, but even here the Cynic team feels so "focused" (pardon me), it's literally as if they're channelling music itself.

But you'll have to pardon my extreme, zealous enthusiasm: it's simply that extremely passionate music causes extremely passionate reactions.

Music Review:

Music Review

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