Search - 10cc :: Look Hear

Solid album from the six piece lineup of 10cc

Dave | United States | 07/07/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"March of 1980 saw the release of "Look Hear?", 10cc's seventh album and the follow up to 1978's "Bloody Tourists". 10cc were still officially the same six piece band as they were on the previous album, consisting of Eric Stewart, Graham Gouldman, Rick Fenn, Duncan Mackay, Paul Burgess, & Stuart Tosh. Unfortunately, Eric Stewart suffered a major automobile accident in early 1979, and this resulted in him no longer mixing 10cc albums alone--it was difficult for him to listen at loud volume for extended periods. For the most part, "Look Hear?" finds Stewart & Gouldman still handling most of the songwriting together with each of them getting one solo composition apiece. Despite the lukewarm commercial reception, it's a damn good album--"One Two Five" is a fun, amusing look at the disco craze; "Lovers Anonymous" is a catchy, uptempo pop-rock tune (with a few twists) that mixes a yearning quality with gentle humor; Graham's tender "I Hate To Eat Alone" is an affecting, splendidly melodic ballad; "Strange Lover" is a brilliantly crafted, hook-filled tune with seamless incorporation of different musical segments, one of 10cc's trademarks; the album closer "L.A. Inflatable" finds Stewart indulging in his love for rockabilly to cool effect. Additionally, guitarist Rick Fenn wrote/ co-wrote three quality tracks--"Welcome To The World", co-written by keyboardist Duncan Mackay, has an usually strong progressive rock flavor for 10cc; the highly amusing "How'm I Ever Gonna Say Goodbye", co-written by Gouldman, is a super mellow, reggae-flavored tune with amusing vocals and obsessive-compulsive-themed lyrics--it's solid 'dumb' fun; Fenn's solo composition "Don't Send We Back" is uptempo and ultra catchy with witty lyrics and irresistible, ingenious lead guitar licks played by Eric Stewart. Unfortunately, the original album's middle tracks are disappointing. There are a pair of tracks that put Stewart's obsession with lovelessness and sex on full display, but to tentative effect--Stewart's solo composition "I Took You Home" is a reflective song seemingly about a first sexual encounter, and it's a stately ballad, but it's rather dull, tedious, & suffers from weak lyrics; the next song, "It Doesn't Matter At All" is credited to Stewart/ Gouldman, but feels like a Stewart composition all the way--this time it's about someone (Stewart?) wanting to take a chance with a woman that they're obsessed with, figuring that they may as well because "it doesn't matter at all"--it's kind of a pretty song, but again, it's on the dull side. Also, "Dressed To Kill" is a respectably crafted funk-rocker, but it's desperately lacking energy & force. So, it's clear that "Look Hear?" isn't one of 10cc's very best albums, but it's still a really good one that no serious fan should be without.



This long overdue CD re-release of the album contains two bonus tracks--the single edit of "One Two Five" and its non-LP b-side "Only Child", the latter of which features Gouldman on lead vocals and is quite forgettable. Still, for collectors, the bonus tracks are a blessing."

Bit hit and miss but enjoyable

D. Moses | London, London United Kingdom | 11/13/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is quite a rare album, only recently released on CD. It does not deserve its obscure status. It is unusual for 10cc, in that, while Gouldman and Stewart are still dominating the songwriting, there are contributions from other members of the band, and a couple that Stewart and Gouldman were not invlved in at all. To mention a couple of the really strong tracks 'It doesn't matter at all' is a really nice ballad, with charming harmony vocals and a good melody. Gouldman chimes in with two excellent ballads, 'I hate to eat at home' is a lovely acoustic ballad and 'How am I ever gonna say goodbye' is a little reggae lite with a melodic ballad side to it. There are a couple of weaker tracks towards the end, but it is definitely an album worth purchasing, particularly if you like the latter 10cc sound in 'Bloody Tourists'."