OUT OF FOCUS

Out of Focus' second is some kind of transitional album. Besides holding improvisational elements in its music, desirable on scene, but probably unsuccessful in obtaining publicity, the band was a little bit more then before oriented to make melodic songs. In comparison to "Wake Up", apart from the flute, the sax is introduced in several songs instead of it (and once again, no, it is not jazz-rock, though first song, "What Can a Poor Boy Do" looks like it). Some songs are getting longer then any on first album, like 13+ minutes "Whispering", with many solos and too long monotonous improvisational part, and 16+ minutes (together indexed) "Fly Bird Fly" / "Television Program" with fine flute playing, catchy melody and good singing. "It's Your Life" is nice ballad with acoustic guitar, flute, keyboards and interesting twin singing. "Blue Sunday Morning" starts with some Indian like drumming, followed with nice flute part, then excellent Jaggeresque singing, and ends in fast tempo. Approximately, half of music is improvisation, while half is song oriented, making this record one more good example of Out of Focus' music, so is recommended (my favorites are songs on positions 2, 4 and 5). But as with first album, lacking additional "half a star" rate, three stars is my measure of its quality and significance.

At the end, must say I agree with one of the reviewers who said that number of the five stars rates on this site is becoming something to worry about, but at the same time think this one is also a little bit overrated. Respecting everyone's point of view, there are a lot of overrated records (with one or even two stars surplus), much more then underrated ones. We must get used to situation that we often don't get quality for the money we spent, and while there are many excellent four stars albums, the five stars albums are occasional phenomena. Oh reviewers, hold Your stars!