HOTLEGS: THINKS - SCHOOL STINKS

This is a giant step towards my early musical days and the discovery of some giant titles from the early seventies. Black Night, Paranoïd, Whola Lotta Love, See Me Feel Me, Alright Now, Are You Ready? as well as "Neanderthal Man".

How many times did I listen to this one? Countless. How comes that this pretty much basic song was so appealing to me ? I have no clue. It is irresistible.

Lyrics ? Here there are : "I'm a Neanderthal man, you're a Neanderthal girl. Let's make Neanderthal love, in this Neandrethal world". Looping for four minutes! Romantic, isn't it ?

This album is of course nothing from the other world. Several acoustic and naive songs which are not really announcing the later 10cc production. Because the four ones (Godley, Creme, Steward and even Gouldman) are hanging around during these sessions.

A song as "Take Me Back" is also superior when compared to "How Many Times", "Desperate Dan", "Fly Away" (truely folkish). Some psychedelia during "Um Wah, Um Woh" but the "vocals" are definitely NOT its major attractive. The worst being achieved with "Run Baby run". A useless country & western song. I just can't stand this one.

Some early "Floyd" mood will come back to your mind while listening to the closing number "All God's Children". Not super.

Due to its lenght, its division in several parts, "Suite F.A...." is regarded as a precursory work for "One Night In Paris". I would say that apart from some burlesque parts that are commonly shared between these two songs, I can not really be overwhelming about this one. Mostly acoustic and dull, I'm afraid. Maybe that the bombastic and pompous finale also has links with "ONIP". Maybe...

This album is just a curiosity for die-hard "10CC" fans. As such : two stars. It has not aged well either. Except for "Neanderthal" but I'm probably biased about this song for the reasons I have mentioned above.