BLOODY TOURISTS

It has been time for me to review 10cc's sixth studio record "Bloody Tourists" which was recorded 1978, thirty- seven years ago. It was the second album without Godley & Creme and an opportunity to develop the sound further from "Deceptive Bends" the year before. I like the cover picture very much. It's a vacation place, a sunny country with beaches and we see a typical tourist with a map in his face. At least three of the songs also take place on holiday. At this time 10cc consisted of Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Paul Burgess, Stuart Tosh, Rick Fenn and Duncan Mackay (plus Kate Spath and Tony Spath).

I think "Bloody Tourists" i an amazing album with a lot of great songs. It feels so inspired and joyful. The texts are so meaningfull and the melodies are smart and very well working. When I though "Deceptive bends" had some less interesting tracks which took down the impression a bit "Bloody Tourists" has a higher lowest level.

My favourite side is the B side where two masterpieces are situated. "Reds in my Bed" is marvelous(10/10) with an interesting text and it's arranged and written very well. Here the fifth 10cc singer takes his place: Stuart Tosh. The very optimistic and sprightly song "From Rochdale to Ocho Rios" (10/10) makes me very happy too. It has a splendid drive and it's so smart and funny: sung by Graham. "Old Mister Time"(9/10) which is sung by Eric is a sad song you must think through a lot and it' s so well composed. "Life Line"(9/10) which is sung by Graham is also a favourite, it is so varied and intriguing to hear it. On the A side there are song great tracks as well. The hit song "Dreadlock Holiday" is lovely (8/10) (sung by Graham) as well as the dreaming "For You and I"(8/10) (sung by Eric). "Take these chains" which is sung by Eric makes me also happy(8/10) and then comes another masterpiece "Shock on the tube"(10/10) which tells(by Eric) an exciting story you must hear. "The anonymous alcoholic" (sung by Eric) is also a fantastic story (8/10). I haven't mentioned three tracks yet: "Last night" sung by Graham (6/10), "Tokyo" sung by Eric (6/10) and the ending track "Everything you wanted to know about" sung by Eric(7/10) are of course worth to hear together with the others.

As you see by my notes hear I like this album a lot. I actually hold it for one of 10cc's best albums. Perhaps the fourth best after The Original Soundtrack, Sheet Music and How dare you! For me this album marks a progression for the band. It is obvious that the new members were more part of the band than before and one of the also sing one of the best songs. "Bloody Tourists" was also the first 10cc album for me to hear and I was in love directly when I heard it. That was before I became interested in progressive rock. My song to song rating ends at 4.125 here which makes this a solid foru star record.

Highly recommended! Best tracks: Reds in my bed, From Rochdale to Ocho Rios, Shock on the tube, Old Mister Time, Life Line