THE ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK

With their third album emerging in 75, 10 CC is coming now to their top form (as did rivals Queen did with their Fourth opus, Opera, the same year) and there are many highlights on this album (and the ones to come) that 10 CC is close to being the geniuses that England was looking for to replace the fab four. Still the same quartet, all of the members writing almost equally the tracks.

Their first "epic" One Night In Paris could be considered as Bohemian Rhapsody's equivalent and if not as well known, it is just as impressive. This opening track is close to opera-like (or at least music-hall) vocals at time and its three part and almost 9 min, make their first real masterpiece. Plenty of humour, ever changing style and dramatics, outstanding vocal harmonies, this track exudes the quaint Britishness of this quartet. Just as you thought that you had heard the best of the album, this superb quartet comes with the sublime I'm Not In Love with those oh so delicate layers and those: most likely the only love song I like, hell, just thinking of how many orgasm exchanged during this track is pure prog ;-).

The next two tracks are much harder rocking (and not just compared with their first two tracks on this one, but all of their albums so far) and Second Sitting refers to Christ's last supper, but 10 CC is busy rocking their hearts away with the same gift as Queen does. Other great tracks include the vocal-heavy Brand New Day, and the minor hit Minestrone. Only the finale is a weak track, being close to crooner material and irritatingly outside of the album's focus.

Yes, with this album, 10 CC should've gained Queen's notoriety, but sadly they will fall short (well they will get in the top 5 on both side of the pond), but the laurels were awarded to their rivals. But as Queen will reach their artistic apex in 75, little can we say the same for 10 CC who would carry on their increased ambition in the following album. How Dare You say the opposite?