Hocus Pocus (The Best Of Focus) - Focus

Advantages: Dutch Prog Rock Rules
Disadvantages: I am a not a Norse War God yet

...Ever bough an album because of one song? And did that song include an amazing hard rock riff and yodeling? If the answer to both these questions is yes then hi there I am pleased to meet another Focus fan. A couple of years ago I heard the song "Hocus Pocus" on a compilation album that we put on in the pub, I immediately remembered footage of Focus performing it on the Old Grey Whistle Test in the 70's. The song became our end of the night anthem and many a customer heard the statement "hey it contains a great guitar riff and yodeling, what is not to like about it", the unlucky ones experienced us attempting to yodel, but this is now firmly one of my favorite songs ever. I decided that I must hunt down this song and found this best of compilation going cheap in HMV, straight into my pocket it went and the Job was done...... It also... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: 80s influenced and anthemic, girls are doing what they want, great for a sing a long
Disadvantages: few weak links, wouldn't have minded maintaining the escapism in regards to feelings, etc.

...rhinestone takin' you over poison arrow make you dance a little slower Hocus pocus losin' your focus to get high you gotta go lower" 11. GIRL TALK (03:14) - summary: awesome, anthemic, 'I'm going to boot your arse up and down Buchanan Street, ya wee bitch' song A weird robotic, synthesised voice spells out the title of the track and repeats it, then it's chanted by the girls and it becomes clear that it has serious meaning to it. The drumbeat is steady with a sense of urgency, the guitar riff distorted and terrific - no fun and energetic feel here, just a simple and serious mission. I suppose you could *almost* say this is the rock verions of Destiny's Child 'Survivor' but directed at a jealous girl rather than a scorned boy. The verses are only two-liners, but the bridge and the chorus are spot on and memorable as well as anthemic... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: A decent live document of the classic Focus line-up
Disadvantages: Muddy sound mix, not a full concert

...of the rawness and spontaneity seems to have been glossed over with a mediocre remaster - but with live Focus material from that period being fairly thin on the ground, it's an essential purchase for any prog rock fan. Highlights include a manic Hocus Pocus (perhaps their most famous track) and reprise, and an excerpt from the epic Eruption. Listen to this if you like - Jethro Tull, Grobschnitt... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful