3

Focus III contains some of the best Focus moments, it is also is the last album with a loose feeling where you think the band is actually improvising. However it also suffers from two extremely long workouts that drag on for too long. The first track is maybe a Hocus Focus pt.2 with the same level of playfulness, humour and rocking spirit although 2 times faster :). I prefer this one to the million-times heard Hocus Focus, it contains more variations too. Then we have the typical pastoral track "Love remembered" with a masterful combination of flute and guitar. "Sylvia" is the catchiest track and operatic vocals by Thijs. It contains many classical chords and no other instrument than organ could fit it better. "Focus III" is a more laid-back track time, not stealing the full attention. "Answers questions" is a better of the two long tracks with a good flow, full of great guitar and flute licks but I still have the impression that the main goal was to reach a 20-minute mark. "Anonymous II" is a reworked track with more sophisticated sound and playing however also some non-essential soloing in particular drumming (don't get me wrong, Linden is a superb drummer). Still a 4-star effort.