BLOODY TOURISTS

Europe was invaded with reggae in 1978. I felt into this music as well and I was really enthusiastic about some ands like "Steel Pulse" and "Culture". This fact didn't escape such clever song writers as Stewart and Gouldman who wrote "Dreadlock Holidays" and which will be a mega-hit. Some might dislike it but I have always appreciated it.

This album is not as creative as usual (but remember that half the band quit some two years before). There will be some nice and Beatles-esque ballads ("For You And I") but their incredible and incomparable style is partially gone, I'm afraid. 1978 not being very much favourable for this type of bands either.

"Shock In The Tube" is a more classical 10CC song. Varied, complex and mini-opera oriented. One of the most creative of this album (which won't hold a lot of this type, unfortunately). Not that "Bloody Tourists" is a bad album but too middle of the road.

10CC have taken care to offer to their fans some popish songs, some good vocal arrangements of course (but this is the absolute trade mark of the band). My least favourite song (not by its theme but by its genre) is the bluesy/funky "Anonymous Alcoholic". Only lyrics are exhilarant.

Let's face the truth : this is the weakest 10CC album so far. Great inspiration is gone and a song as "Reds In My Bed" is almost a highlight on this album but frankly it is only a good one. As "Life Line" which takes up with their classical repertoire.

I like the Fab Four oriented "Tokyo" as well. The last part of this album is catchier. 10CC - ier. Just listen to the burlesque "From Rochdale To Ocho Rios". Not a great song but so pastiche. So 10CC.

This album will chart at the third spot in the UK. This is the highest rank of any 10CC albums (on par with "Deceptive Bends"). "The Original soundtrack" reaching the fourth spot. But on my scale, this album deserves only five out of ten.

Being a fan of the band, I will upgrade it to three stars, but as soon as the half star rating will be available (which should be a matter of days now...), I will come back to it and rate it accordingly.