BIRDS OF PREY

After the pretty much failed experimental rap styling of "Ismism" (or "Snack Attack" in the U.S.), Godley & Creme went back to the quirky pop of their earlier albums (and their work in 10CC). The result here is something of a mixed bag. Their approach is still intriguing, but most of the songs are just a little bit empty.

My Body The Car starts the album off in a promising way. The song is a cappella, in a similar manner that Todd Rundgren used later, creating all the instrumental and rhythmic sounds with their mouths. Good premise and well done.

Worm And The Rattlesnake is a forgettable song, but is saved by a cool, rubbery bass line. Cat's Eyes is a more upbeat song, similar to what the duo was recording with 10CC a few years earlier. Good, not much prog.

Samson has some cool production, mostly with some oddly effected guitar fills. Save A Mountain For Me for some reason is the song that appears on their "History Mix" collection. It's a pretty boring song, with one joke about a singing chain gang. They should go back and listen to the real humor in Rubber Bullets.

Madame Guillotine has some of the better lyrics on the album, about a prisoner waiting for his execution. But the music is repetitious, and goes nowhere. Woodwork has the first overt appearance by the duo's Gizmo (a device that mechanically rubs guitar strings like a violin bow), and that gives the piece a more orchestral sound. An unimaginative electronic drum track holds the song back, however.

Twisted Nerve has synth work that reminds me a bit of Eno. The dry delivery of Kevin Godley's vocals falttens the song a bit. Out In The Cold is actually a good ending. Eerie music and minor key processed vocals come together to make this the best track on this record.

Al in all, the production on this album, like any Godley & Creme album, is spectacular. It's the compositions that mostly fall flat. 2.5 stars.