DECEPTIVE BENDS

I always try to compare 10CC with Roxy Music, since both lead to controversy when it is time to decide if they can be classified as progressive rock, or at least as prog related music. Well, 10CC here produce a more than ordinary, pretty sophisticated, inoffensive and happy rock music influenced by the Beatles and having some of the poppy parts of Alan Parson's Project. I think they are quite prog related, and I find the album much better than Roxy Music's Siren, mainly because the tracks here more retain the attention. Despite the very good singer, the decent bassist, the honest drummer, the competent guitarist and the OK keyboardist, I find the compositions musically not very challenging, although they are pretty well made and have rather catchy & structured arrangements. The music is maybe too accessible & not catchy enough to fully captivate me, despite the musicians play their instruments very well and the record is pretty well recorded (the sound). The side 2 is better, especially the last song "Feel the Benefit", an epic song with orchestral arrangements, lasting more than 11 minutes.

Rating: 3.5 stars