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Rating: In a period, that of the '70s, when rock music, especially English rock, was offering serious authors and bands that wanted to give their audience spatial and fantastic music, the various Genesis and Yes, in 1970 in Manchester, the 10cc were formed, who would be authors of an ironic and chart-topping pop throughout the decade.
The initial lineup consisted of Kevin Godley (drums), Lol Creme (guitar), Eric Stewart (guitar and lead vocals), and a quirky and talented author of bubble-gum music, as well as a multi-instrumentalist, Graham Gouldman. In 1977, however, the group lost Creme and Godley, who initiated a successful collaboration that led to the production of experimental music records, and in the '80s they became video authors, the most famous being produced for Duran Duran; the two remaining members did not get discouraged and, after hiring a new drummer, produced what is considered their best work, "Deceptive Bends," which is indeed the culmination of their art. Without a precise style, 10cc built their songs by citing the most diverse groups, particularly the Beach Boys and the Beatles, and they engaged in kaleidoscopic collages that blended reggae with rock, jazz, prog, the purest pop, and much more. In the end, this enormous hodgepodge is brought to a surprising conclusion; indeed, although Stewart and Gouldman particularly love overdubs and spend a lot of time on very complex arrangements (especially of the vocals), the album holds up beautifully and demonstrates their very particular talent in crafting quirky but truly successful songs.
The work opens with "Good Morning Judge," a track about a small-time crook who frequently visits courtrooms; the music is immediate, a raw rock in the guitar part, with Gouldman's bass holding everything perfectly. The video of the song is curious, with Stewart and Gouldman engaged in impersonating the various characters of the imaginary trial. Another very ironic song, this time about the flu, is "You’ve Got A Cold," once again a catchy track played largely on the voices of Stewart and Gouldman, the first being clear and light, the second deep and heavy. Typically Beatlesque is "The Things We Do For Love," reminiscent of the early period of the Liverpool group; the band pays tribute to good friends Paul and Linda McCartney with "People In Love," a track that strongly recalls Wings; the finale is marked by the mini-suite "Feel The Benefit Part 1, 2 & 3," where the group engages in orchestration, Caribbean sounds, and a lot of prog atmosphere that ultimately fully satisfies the listener.
In the end, a very British and decidedly kitsch work that cheers and entertains. Note the cover, which is also in the full ironic tradition of 10cc. Their songs are indeed sometimes banal and a bit sappy, but their way of presenting them is truly unique. Many other artists have tried to copy their non-style style, Queen for instance, but Stewart and Gouldman are of an entirely different caliber.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Good Morning Judge (02:56)
Well good morning Judge, how are you today
I'm in trouble, please put me away
A pretty thing took a shine to me
I couldn't stop her so I let it be
I couldn't stop her so I let it be
I couldn't stop her so I let it be
I couldn't stop her so I let it be
He didn't do it, he wasn't there
He didn't want it, he wouldn't dare
Well good morning Judge, yes I'm back again
I'm in trouble, so it's back to the pen
I found a car but I couldn't pay
I fell in love and I drove it away
I fell in love and I drove it away
I fell in love and I drove it away
I fell in love and I drove it away
He didn't do it, he wasn't there
He didn't want it, he wouldn't dare
I didn't do it, I wasn't there
I didn't want it, I wouldn't dare
Alcatraz is like a home sweet home
I'm so wanted and I'm never alone
San Quentin is the place to be
I'm so happy I don't wanna be free
So happy I don't wanna be free
So happy I don't wanna be free
So happy I don't wanna be free
03 Marriage Bureau Rendezvous (04:06)
Well I've been lookin' after number one for too long
And it seemed that love was passing me by
So I thought I better do something about it
And that's why I'm sittin' here lookin' cross the table at you
That's why I'm sittin' here lookin' cross the table at you
Well a lonely man needs a marriage bureau
Where they sit you right down and you fill in a form
Would you like a blonde or a black or a blue rinse
Do you like 'em small, love 'em slim long and tall
Do you like 'em small, love 'em slim long and tall
Oh no, too many questions
I'm looking for a girl like momma used to be
She's cooking up a dream, she's baking ecstasy
Won't it be fine when
I find her
Would I like to take her to a movie or the theatre
Would I pick her up at home or would I like to meet her
Somewhere we could take a good look at each other
Smile and say hello or walk away
Smile and say hello or walk away
So I'm squeaky clean in and out of the bath
I never shaved so close before
I'm gonna put on a tie
I'm gonna shine up my shoes
I'm gonna slick back my hair
I've got nothin' to lose
Oh, I'll be stinkin' so good
Like I'm drowning in a sea of cologne
(Hey) do you know you remind me of someone
(Ooh) but I'm here making eyes at you
And I think we're gonna say goodbye to the bureau
Close the files, turn the page, start anew
Close the files, turn the page, start anew
06 Honeymoon With B Troop (02:50)
My baby, she's crazy, she's lazy
So she's always bummin' around
Girls in France don't stand a chance
'Cos I've always got my baby around
So, don't touch her
Oh, it's so fine, and you know what's mine is mine
At night we, sleep tight we
Stay close together 'cos the temperature's down
But baby, says maybe
Each time I try to get my fingers around
Please don't touch her
Sittin' with a tentpole, what a bloody jamboree
Listen to our motto, be prepared for ecstasy
Here comes the bride
My baby, goes topless
And brings her beauty to a bottomless day
She's bathing, al fresco
And all her mystery is there on display
So, don't get too close
Oh she's so fine, and you know what's mine is mine
Ooh it's a drag when you're hitched to a dream
And the boys in the gang think she's part of the scenery
You're never alone and the tension is painful to see
One night I, crept in and,
Got on my knees and tried to make her my wife
One reef knot, two grannies
And we were bound to stay together for life
Now we'd like to....
07 I Bought a Flat Guitar Tutor (01:48)
I bought a flat
Diminished responsibility
You're de ninth person to see
To be suspended in a seventh
Major catastrophe
It's a minor point but gee
Augmented by the sharpness of your
See what I'm going through
Ay to be with you
In a flat by the sea
08 You've Got a Cold (03:40)
Your nose is runnin'
And your eyes are red
Your head is achin'
You'd be better in bed
From the bottom of your fever
To the throbbing in your toes
You've got a cold
You've got a cold
You're searching madly
To find a cure
But the mercury's rising
To a hundred and four
You've got a beauty, a bad ass
The mother of them all
You've got a cold
You've got a cold
Ain't no use in fightin' it
Get into bed and try to sweat it out
Hot toddies won't help you
Warm blankets won't sweat it out
Inhalants just choke you
Hot flushes will tell you
Anyway you've got it
Ain't no doubt about it
Nothin' new about
You can scream and shout it
Hot toddies won't help you
Warm blankets won't sweat it out
Inhalants just choke you
Hot flushes will tell you
Anyway you've got it
Ain't no doubt about it
Nothin' new about
You can't fight it
Foreign bodies in your Kleenex
You've got no taste at all
While your system is dyin'
The bugs are havin' a ball
You've got a beauty, a bad ass
The mother of them all
You've got a cold
You've got a cold
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