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Music > Albums > 10cc - Deceptive Bends (1997) Retail CD
added on March 31, 2007, at 14:18 by allcdcovers

Back in 1977 I remember being genuinely upset by the news that Godley & Creme had left 10cc, at the time one my favourite bands. Surely that was the end, wasn't it? It was reassuring to hear that Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman were going to continue under the banner of 10cc but I was concerned that they would suffer from the departure of what many regarded as the more creative part of the band. Those fears appeared initially to be borne out by Deceptive Bends, the first post-Godley & Creme effort, which seemed on first listen to lack invention and spark. This was caused, in part, by the fact that the pre-publicity for the album labelled it as a follow-up to Sheet Music, which it clearly wasn't. However, after a few listens the quality started to shine through and I was forced to re-appraise it drastically. With the benefit of hindsight I can say that with the albums Original Soundtrack and How Dare You the band were becoming a little too "clever" for their own good and indeed were starting to disappear up their collective backsides. Deceptive Bends represented a more economical approach in which 70's style self-indulgence was kept under control and, whilst it seemed like rather a culture shock at the time, it is for this very reason that "Bends" has stood the test of time so well. The album kicks off with "Good Morning Judge" and "The Things We Do For Love" (both hit singles) which are imbued with confidence (Kevin and Lol? Who needs them!) but the quality does not slacken from start to finish. Rediscover hidden gems such as "Marriage Bureau Rendezvous" and "Honeymoon with B Troop" which both combine sharp (and funny)lyrics with tunes you can't shake. As for "You've Got a Cold", how about the couplet: "Foreign bodies in your Kleenex - you've got no taste at all, while your system is dying the bugs are having a ball". Heroic stuff! Last but not least, the epic closer "Feel the Benefit" is truly affecting, particularly in the final section in which Eric Stewart produces the guitar solo of a lifetime. This album, some 27 years after its original release, remains one of my favourites and I would thoroughly recommend it to all 10cc fans and anyone who appreciates well-crafted timeless pop/rock. Others have made adverse comments about the standard of the re-mastering but it sounds fine to me. Maybe I'm just easily pleased....

back 1030 x 800 px

cd 830 x 800 px

front 808 x 800 px

inside 806 x 800 px