10 OUT OF 10

What happened 1981, thirty-four years ago, you may question. Then I'll tell you: that what the year of the release of 10cc's eighth studio album "Ten out of 10". It had passed one year since their last effort "Look hear" from 1980 and on this occasion the line up of the band was Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Rick Fenn, Vic Emerson(mainly keyboard) and Paul Burgess. They had help from the guest musicians Andrew Gold, Keith Bessey, Simon Phillips, Lenni Crookes and Marc Jordan. Their last album was quite pleasant but did not stand out. Here comes my review of Ten out of 10:

On the cover we see Graham and Eric standing at the edge of a house high over the city. One of them seems scared, the other calm. The light and the colours are quite new and sophisticated. In many ways the music of 10cc 1981 was quite similar to that of the year before. There seems to always be quality and a piece of intentions to write smart music in the world of 10cc. Just as on "Look Hear" this record is decent to listen to and you can enjoy it again and again. But where the really interesting and outstanding songs were none existing 1980 I found some gems 1981. Even if I could recommend you to hear the whole album three songs are better than the others. We have "Les Nouveaux Riches"(8/10) which is quite long. The song has a French title, an idea that was successfull 1975 and it is this album's most intriguing and fine song. It is well performed and has a smart arrangement, the vocals are excellent too. "Don't ask" which starts the album is a sweet track as well(8/10) and "Notell Hotel" is a song that I like because it has intentions(7/10).

There and there over the whole album I also found pieces I really liked, fine guitar solos, vocal harmonies and lyrics. Often the songs are performed in a poetic way that is very appealing. The saxophone solo on "Don't turn me away" should be mentioned as well as the last song, a sugary piece of the eighties: "Survivor". So "Ten out of 10" has improved a bit since the last album but still it isn't what it had been. The songs are nice but not very interesting over all.

I give it three stars! Best tracks: Les nouveaux riches, Don't ask, Notell hotel