Focus- Moving Waves

Today we take a trip to the Netherlands, home of the much loved symphonic prog group Focus. Known for their excellent guitarist Jan Akkerman and highly eccentric keyboardist/flautist Thjis van Leer, Moving Waves , their second album, was released in 1971 (with the title of Focus II in their homeland). The album also features Pierre van der Linden on drums and Cyril Havermans on Bass. Focus was a primarly instrumental group, and did a pleathora of styles over the years, in fact, none of their albums really has the same feel.

The album kicks off with the well known track "Hocus Pocus", which features yodeling prominently and became a trans-Atlantic radio hit with its epic guitar sections and drum fills changing after every chorus. It's a chaotic mess. This is contrasted with the brief acoustic guitar work "Le Clochard" right after it. The album includes three other small songs on its A side: "Janis", "Moving Waves", and the second instalment of their self title series of songs. "Moving Waves is notable for featuring some rare vocals on a Focus record, but it's not super exiting, while the other two have nice flute work. The B side is dedicated solely to the 22 and a half minute "Eruption", which is a heavy handed work of music. The keyboards dominate this one, and it ultimatley can't hold interest beyond the 8 minute mark.

Though it's got some duds, Moving Waves has a lot to offer. Akkerman's guitar performances are exquisite. Grade: B

Pink Floyd- Atom Heart Monther

It is 1970. The Psychedelic age is closing out, and your band needs direction. Where to go? Pink Floyd took the route into Progressive Rock, and created Atom Heart Mother. Their first really entry into the genre, the album sits in a slightly awkward transition period, but manages to stay strong.

The album's A side is the 23 minute long title track. Though not the first epic in Prog Rock history, it truly shows the potential of the genre. The band, particularly Rick Wright, experiment with synthesizer sounds, use of orchestra, and long movements plastered seamlessly together. Using horns, shifting themes, rhythms, and chord structures, the piece covers many of the moods of Progressive rock. Fanfare? Has it. Guitar heroics? Has it. Solemn interlude? Has it. Though it has a lot of strengths, it does drag a little, the Floyd were not quite ready for the full side long slog. However, it also was the practice run for "Echoes" down the line, and is much better than its reputation. On side B, don't miss the quicker songs. Water's "If" is a sweet love song, Wright's "Summer '68" is a nice piece of prog-pop.

A nice piece in and of itself, and an indicator of a bright future. Grade: B+

How Broad Can Prog Be?

This past weekend, the University of Pennsylvania's radio station played a 24 hour Prog marathon. Everything was from between 1969 and 1979. I'd heard a great deal of it, but some stuff struck me as being off. There was music that I myself would describe as country, free jazz, and even pop without being particularly prog. Is there any semi-objective standard?

For example, drum Machines- Progressive Rock is all about technicality. Drum machines were available as early as the mid-70's in a primitive, extra noticeable form. Can we count music that does this sort of "lazy coping out" as Prog Rock? Or those Short Songs- Prog can be short. But can prog be short with a two verse, chorus, bridge, verse, chorus structure? Pop and Punk follow such patterns, and these things are what made Prog fade away. Therefore, isn't it a litlle bit contradictory to call this prog?

Progressive Rock is more than just a lable. It has a feel. Progressive rock can take the form of a jazz work, an electronic droning, a political satire, or a good old guitar workout, but it always has a certain feel. It's complex, but it's got a warmth to it, it wants to bring you into the magical worlds it creates. Somehow, just way to much prog-related material lacks that warmth. Even cannonical prog does this from time to time- Gentle Giant is a major culprit. I think there's a fine line, but in general, if a peice of music has that feel then it's prog.

I'm Back/ Jukebox #3

Hey everybody. I got a lot more swamped with my classes, extraciriculars, and college essays than I thought I would, but that's all done for the most part. Sorry for the lack of new life here, but I've got my time and motivation back. So, with the new year the Prog Blog will be back to its regular updating schedule.

Here's some Jukebox goodies from the Proto and Early Prog Era: