L

3.5 stars. Kevin Godley and Lol Creme left 10CC because of artistic differences in 1976. 10CC had just completed the studio album "How Dare You!" which is my favourite by them, where it all came together for them to these ears. But Godley and Creme wanted to pursue the sounds of the Gizmo they created that attached to the guitar and made string sounds. Also they wanted to continue down that road of experimentation whereas the rest of the band(Stewart & Gouldman) were more into the commercial aspect of the music as seen in the followup album to "How Dare You!" called "Deceptive Bends" with songs like "The Things We Do For Love".

Meanwhile GODLEY & CREME would release as their first album in 1977, the mammoth "Consequences" a triple record that had one vinyl album of Gizmo tracks, an album of songs and narration taking turns throughout it, and then a piano concert pretty much. No it didn't exactly go over well. In 1978 though, they would return to where they left off with "How Dare You!" it seems with "L", but again less commercial sounding. Still this has Zappa written all over it with the clever lyrics, sophisticated sound and especially those hilarious vocals. There's a lot of humour here on this less than 35 minute album with seven tracks.

The opener and closer are over seven minutes in length, while the rest range between three and five minutes. We even get some QUEEN-like vocals and arrangements on the opener "The Sporting Life" again bringing 10CC to mind. I like the inventive instrumental section that follows. "Sandwiches Of You" is pretty funny and light with interesting sounds to start. "Art School Canteen" is another one that is relaxed with the focus on the vocals. They change it up on "Group Life", this just sounds different. "Punchbag" is catchy with silly vocals that turns intense later on. "Foreign Accents" and the closer are my top two. Both have Andy MacKay from ROXY MUSIC adding sax. That closer "Hit Factory/ Business Is Business" is really impressive, the best tune on here in my opinion. A lot of fun.

Of all the GODLEY & CREME and 10CC albums I'd rate "L" as my second favourite after "How Dare You!" with "Sheet Music" and "The Original Soundtrack" bringing up the rear. These guys were so talented.