LOOK HEAR?

If I continue with the 10cc discography after two reviews of Godley & Creme albums we are back in 1980, which is now thirty-five years ago but musically much had happened in two years(which was the time that went after Bloody tourists). 10Cc's seventh studio album "Look Hear" from 1980 has a design that in the first sight doesn't overwhelm me. Perhaps it would be different in the bigger vinyl format.The big text "Are you normal" could be read there, and you think that is the title; we can also see a little picture of a sheep. The line up here were Eric Stewart(vocals, guitar, piano, and more), Grahan Gouldman(vocals, bass, guitar, congas), Rick Fenn(guitar, vocals on one song), Paul Burgess(drums and percussion), Duncan Mackay(keyboard, organ, piano) and Stuart Tosh(percussion). The line-up hadn't changed since "Bloody Tourists" and some of the spirit was left too.

Does this sound like 10cc? Yes, at least partially. You recognize Eric Stewarts sweet voice and the joyful mentality, the happiness could be appreciated here as well as in the older 10cc albums. The composions are quite fast, happy, melodic and you want to sing along. So far, so good. But why implement doubts? Well, it's hard to become disappointed when you have the older 10cc in mind. In my opinion there last one, made 1978 was so great and you all remember what they did in the middle of the seventies. The compositions here aren't as varied and interesting as before. There are no wow-experiences unfortunately. The sound and feeling you get from this music is nice, on some occations very nice but it is very average, nothing that stands out, but nothing that bores you very much either. Perhaps this album is too kind, like the band just wanted to be pretty and nice. I would still recommend you to hear it though, if you are a 10cc fan, because it's still the same band and probably you will like things here. If I pick some favourites it would be: "I hate to eat alone"(7/10), "Don't send me back"(6/10) a cosy song which features Rick Fenn on the lead vocals, "How'm I ever gonna say good bye"(6/10) which has fine vocal harmonies and has a nice calm Jamaica-feeling and "One-two-five"(6/10).

I don't think this album won't amaze you, but don't judge it do early early either, it was made in a new era of music. I think the whole album is enjoyable and my song to song rating ends at 2.95 which means three stars. Best songs: I hate to eat alone, How'm I ever gonna say good bye, Don't send me back, One-two-five