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This album, despite it`s moments of brilliance was just too l o n g. Originally released on vinyl in 1973 as a two record set, Focus could have pulled this off on a single album. The CD re-issue on one disc even makes it seem longer.The principal reason for this was the inclusion of two rather long showpieces one of which took up a side and a half on the original vinyl issue.

The first was a reprise of a classically based musical idea entitled Anonymous which was first heard in a more compact form on the 1969 album In and Out of Focus. Anonymous II commences with the full band stating an upbeat classical theme which then branches out to allow each member to present their own interpretations and variations. This section makes a glorious start with Hammond and flute explosions from Thijs van Leer but after this falls to pieces with the bass and drum sections being the most drawn out. Akkerman provides some guitar pyrotechnics in between but even this starts to border on noodling. The conclusion returns to the original theme and there is some brief intricate Hammond /guitar interplay.

Much the same goes for the other longer track, Answers Questions? Questions? Answers although we are spared solos from the drums and bass which remain in support roles. The piece is set up by a catchy and dynamic jazz-rock intro then tapers off with classically influenced flute and guitar explorations by Van Leer and Akkerman. The piece doesn`t really resolve itself and I usually skip over the latter part.

Now for the good news. The remaining tracks make the album worthwhile but I must caution that the version of House of the King presented here is the identical recording made in 1969 on In and Out of Focus and features an earlier lineup although this is not indicated on the liner on either the CD or Vinyl. A great Akkerman composition with a flute melody played over an acoustic rythmn guitar which is often mistaken as a Jethro Tull piece but in actuality very representative of the early Focus sound. Unfortunately it appears as the very last track and would have fit more appropriately earlier on. Sylvia became a hit single for the band and has a more mainsream "pop" sound to it than the other pieces on the album.The other tracks include Focus III, the sequel to Focus II which continues on with the tradition of naming a short classicaly influenced number on each successive album by the band thus far and has an an almost haunting melody as does Love Remembered which is one of the most beautiful Akkerman compositions with the melody being carried by van Leer`s flute. It was also redone in 1978 on the album Aranjuez by Jan Akkerman & Claus Ogerman with a full orchestra . Round Goes the Gossip is the only track where van Leer provides us with some quirky vocals as well as some latin chanting combined with some exciting dynamics and buildups and guitar riffing from Akkerman. Carnival Fugue is a track which sort of reminds me of Gentle Giant`s approach to using classical themes and phrasings. It begins unmistakably in classical mode and builds up to a jazz tempo and resolves into a celebatory finish with a rare chance to hear Thijs van Leer playing the piccolo. I wish they could have done more of these types of compositions. We also get a lute track by Akkerman complete with farm animal sound effects evoking the images of the old English countryside scenes. It seems out of place here and would have been more appropriately included on one of Akkerman`s solo works.

If you have the patience to sit through the longer tracks I would say by all means go for this one because they do have their moments. Not an essential album but certainly a must have for Focus fans.