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Rating: Average |
Having proven that they could keep 10cc alive as a duo act with 1977's successful Deceptive Bends, Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman continued with Bloody Tourists in 1978. Although it scored some notable hits, it was a less consistent and less memorable affair than its predecessor.
The problem with Bloody Tourists is that it feels like a bunch of session musicians trying to make 10cc-style songs, rather than a proper 10cc album. The off-kilter humor that once flowed freely feels forced on this album: “Reds In My Bed” is a feeble Cold War satire that never really manages to say anything, while “Shock On The Tube (Don't Want Love)” tries to be daring with its tale of a subway sex fantasy and instead comes off as tasteless and dull.
Another problem is that the music supporting these stories lacks both hooks and inspiration: the backing track for “Take These Chains” is a bland attempt at rockabilly that sounds like a particularly poppy Eagles outtake, and “The Anonymous Alcoholic” features a disco-parody section that sounds like merely a mediocre example of the music it’s supposedly broadcasting.
The album’s singles do contain a few bright moments, however: “For You And I” is a pretty ballad that bolsters its appealing melody with some strong vocal harmonies, and “Dreadlock Holiday” recounts the adventures of a hapless tourist in Jamaica against an infectious pop-reggae backdrop. Unfortunately, these are the first two tracks on the album, so once they’re over there’s not much to look forward to. Ultimately, Bloody Tourists is adequate enough to satisfy 10cc’s hardcore fans, but the casual listener is advised to track down the hits on a compilation.
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= Track List =
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