Ship of Memories, a collection of rarities from Focus' catalog, is somewhat more diverse than most of the band's other releases. Starting off with "P's March," a track rooted in the style of Focus' debut album
In and Out of Focus,
Ship of Memories gradually works its way through the band's many phases to the
Mother Focus styled "Crackers." The album ends on a superb song, the U.S. version of "Hocus Pocus." For Europeans, this addition to
Ship of Memories ("Hocus Pocus" U.S. was never on the LP version, but was later added to the CD release) comes as an absolute delight. Not only is the song a verified rarity on the continent, but it is also vastly different from the U.K. recording. Akkermans' guitar work, Van Leer's yodeling, and Pierre Van Der Linden's drumming are all given a new lease of life by the inclusion of this track. Despite the songwriting quality not being of the highest caliber, sparks of genius pop up at various places. Collectors will be well-gratified by
Ship of Memories, while casual listeners will find enough enjoyable material to merit its purchase. ~ Ben Davies