Mother Focus
Focus · 1975
37 min · 12 tracks · progressive rock
A playful blend of progressive rock and jazz influences with whimsical melodies and intricate musicianship.
Top tracks — play these first
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Mother Focus Start here — The title track embodies the album's whimsical spirit with its catchy melody and playful instrumental sections, serving as a perfect introduction to the band's evolving sound.
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I Need a Bathroom — This track stands out for its humorous lyrics and upbeat tempo, showcasing the band's ability to blend light-hearted themes with intricate musical arrangements.
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Focus IV — An instrumental piece that highlights the band's technical prowess, weaving complex rhythms and melodies that exemplify their progressive rock roots while maintaining a sense of fun.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases playful melodies and jazz influences but lacks the depth found in their earlier works.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate jazz influences, particularly in the use of syncopated rhythms and improvisational solos, notably in 'Bennie Helder' and 'Tropic Bird'.
- The running time is relatively short for a progressive rock album, with most tracks averaging around three to four minutes, allowing for quick transitions between ideas.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- whimsical melodies for lighthearted moods
- steady pacing for relaxed listening
- playful arrangements with intricate details
- brief tracks for quick enjoyment
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer darker, heavier themes
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — Displays a lighter side of the band, but not as widely recognized as earlier works.
- Career context
- Released in January 1975, Mother Focus was the fifth studio album by Focus, marking a transitional period for the band after their commercial peak with Moving Waves in 1971. This album followed the departure of keyboardist Jan Akkerman, leading to a shift in their sound as they embraced more lighthearted and experimental elements.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Gentle Giant· King Crimson· Van der Graaf Generator
Tracklist
- 1 Mother Focus Start here 3:04
- 2 I Need a Bathroom 3:05
- 3 Bennie Helder 3:32
- 4 Soft Vanilla 3:03
- 5 Hard Vanilla 2:35
- 6 Tropic Bird 2:43
- 7 Focus IV 3:58
- 8 Someone's Crying... What! 3:19
- 9 All Together... Oh That! 3:42
- 10 No Hang Ups 2:56
- 11 My Sweetheart 3:36
- 12 Father Bach 1:33
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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