Search - Out of Focus :: Four Letter Monday Afternoon

Now There's An Interesting Cloud

icb | 06/10/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sometimes the challenge fails us, sometimes it rewards, but better to be presented with aural obstacles and grow with the bruises and barbs than be lulled into sweet complacency by the marketing department's idea of what we can handle. The Out of Focus catalogue in America is like that of Amon Duul II's or Embryo's or Popol Vuh's - it has to be actively searched out, bought when found, gingerly tasted, bravely faced, lucked into and explored with the resourcefulness of an archaeologist. Brushing away the layers of rock that lie between us and the Germany of 1972, a gradual definition of Out of Focus emerges (but as their name suggests, it is only the most gradual of definitions). It consists of a shadow falling somewhere between the harder rock of Gila or Amon Duul II and the straight jazz fusion of Embryo. Steeped in the seemingly intrinsic heaviness of the period, the eastern headiness of the riffing is balanced by a cool jazz sensibility straight from America's west coast. Imagine if Stan Getz hadn't hooked up with Jobim and the Gilbertos but instead looked to North Africa and the Middle East, absorbing the spiritual force of those geographies and framing it in a Gil Evans/Miles Davis cool. With an occasional hint of blue and a lot of heavy. In fact, the approach of much German rock from this period was so firmly entrenched in the traditional jazz value of composed improvisation that it boggles the mind this music was never embraced by the American jazz audience. Its uncommerciality for American and British audiences in general, though, is undeniable, despite its time. Even at their most "prog rock" precious, Out of Focus' American and British counterparts, with the important exception of the Soft Machine and the small handful of like-minded cadre, could never approach the inspired and downright non-classical messiness of this music. Out of Focus' last proper album, Four Letter Monday Afternoon is a double disc sprawl and brawl. It's like burning a house down to see what pattern emerges from the smoke, this music. It veers and twists and hairpins to find the sweetest spots imagineable. Tensions build and resolve and repeat only when necessary, and at the finish there isn't that feeling you've just eaten too much sugar. This is music that barbs and bruises, taunts and frustrates. And not because it's abstract or concrete or opaque. But because it leaves you wanting more. And I think that that just might be the point."

Progressive and jazz experience

ilan ratzabi | israel | 05/18/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"if you like progressive rock you will love this one.long tracks with amazing guitar work and wind instrument.dont miss it."