I tend to consider the best 10 CC album not wearing the name, and I'm not thinking of Hotlegs (definitely not my stuff).
It was Ramases' Space Hymns: That album really sounds like 10 CC at their best.
As for 10cc itself I feel like drawing a comparison with them and Queen: a good pop quartet with all four members being good/excellent compioser, but unfortunately both bands are prone all to often to write pastiches that tend to turn me off. Saw the band twice during the 00's, but only Stew<art was left, but stll managed to pull an excellent show and make every song sound like on their studio albums.
Their debut is unfortunately flawed with do-wop songs and quite a turn off for me. I'll only save the rather good Rubber Bullets. Fresh Air, Speed Kills, Dean And I are also worthy.
Sheet Music is a giant steop forward IMHO, and the first in their trilogy. Fave track: Wall street Shuffle, but Somewhere in Hollywood, Hotel and Baron Samedi are also worth it.
Soundtrack is their equivalent of Queen's Opera: One Night In Paris is their Bohemian Rhapsody. Not In Love is their greatest, but Brand New Day and Minestrone are also good. Actually only the closing track is weak.
How Dare You is not quite as excellent, but still part of their trilogy. Best tracks: Art for Art's Sake (my second fave) and Don't Hang Up .
Unfortunately the departure of G&C cut much of the band's creativity, as the aptly-titled Deceptive Bends (always disliked Things We Do, BTW): the only good part is the middle section of the 11mins+ Benefit. As for Boody Tourist, except for Dreadlock, nothing finds grace to my ears.
Still haven't had the chance to really investigate their double live album.
The only thing I still own is in vinyl: their Greatest Hits 72-78, but i should one day make my own CDr compilation.
as for G&C, I must say i sampled most of their stuff, and as much as S&G miss G&C, G&C miss S&G just as much.
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