LOOK HEAR?

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You could be forgiven for thinking the title of this album is "Are you normal?", since those are the words emblazoned across the front cover. The actual title appears as a much smaller notation in one corner.

"Look hear" was the third album released after the major split in the band which saw Godley and Crème surrendering the name to Stewart and Gouldman. Interestingly, while Stewart and Gouldman write most of the songs here, two songs on the first side are penned by guitarist Rick Fenn. "Welcome to the world" is the first of these, Fenn collaborating with keyboard player Duncan Mackay. It is a reasonable facsimile of a 10CC song, even mentioning a dreadlock holiday in the lyrics. However, the intricate production disguises a very average song. "Don't send we back" has a jaunty melody, while the lyrics tell the tale of refugees in boats desperately seeking a country prepared to allow them to enter. It all seems rather inappropriate.

The Stewart/Gouldman songs which naturally dominate the album, are among the weakest they have written, which possibly explains the inclusion of the aforementioned songs. "One two five", the title relates to the beats per minute, demonstrates how much the pair are in desperate need of both a decent lyric and a strong melody. "How'm I ever gonna say goodbye" , which Gouldman co-writes with Fenn, is a light throwaway pop song.

It's only when we finally get to "I took you home" that we find one of Eric Stewart's ballads. It is not one of his best, but in the context of this album it shines.

The second side is even weaker than the first, with 6 very average pop songs. "Lovers anonymous" for example has some of the most trite lyrics ever recorded under the 10cc name. I'm calling lovers anonymous, talk about your troubles and we'll throw you a line".

In all, this is a real low point for releases in the 10CC name. There is a distinct lack of inspiration in the performances, but it is the song-writing which is the true source of the problems. Avoid.

Needless to say that this album is not the best of the band.

The duo Stewart / Gouldman who was responsible of some of the greatest songs from the band while they were four (and this fact is often unknown) could hold the "10CC" flag rather high with "Deceptive Bends" and to a lesser extent with "Bloody Tourists". Even the latter featured some strong and interesting songs.

But this won't be the case of "Look Hear". Average pop songs, some reggae-ish style music as well (did they try and recreate "Dreadlock Holidays"?). Vocal harmonies are still present and I could find four good songs on this album.

"I Took You Home" and "It Doesn't Matter At All" do belong to my criteria to achieve this. Fully beatles-esque, harmonious and melodic. Beautiful ballads even if the mellow side is very much present. These two songs could have been featured on each of their two previous offerings without damaging them.

This is not the case with the rocking and old fashioned "L.A. Inflatable" which close this album on a very low note. The problem being that this album also opened very poorly. IMO "One, Two, Five" is one of their weakest songs. It was of course difficult to decide which track was the best one to open this album.

Because none of the funky "Welcome To The World" and "Dressed To Kill", the reggae-ish and naïve "How'm I Ever Gonna Say Goodbye", the awful and disco "Don't Send We Back" could have done the job either. Maybe the popish "Lovers Anonymous" which is the third good song would have fit the role. In-line as well with the most accessible songs of the band. In terms of pleasant vocals, "I Hate To Eat Alone" also needs a mention.

Two stars thanks to the vocal harmonies which still remain the strong point of the band but by no means is this album a must own. Even not for "10CC" fans.

This album is where I completely gave up caring about 10CC's new releases. There are some nice sounds. As usual, the production is exquisite, but the wry humor that made 10CC so enjoyable in the past was just about gone.

The album begins with One-Two-Five, a self-referental song that makes me long for the intelligence and quirkyness of The Worst Band In The World. This one is just too simplistic and strained. The next song starts out on a bright note: the intro to Welcome To The World is reminiscent of Gentle Giant's For Nobody. But once the first verse begins, the song descends into normalcy. After that, there is just maudlin tracks with strained efforts to reclaim the 10CC sound.

Here and there is a passage that might cause a fan to perk up and say "That sounds like...". But each moment is fleeting as the songs return to drivel.

It's also sad to not that the other half of the original 10CC, Godley and Creme, by this time were also nearly out of good ideas. It's a shame.