Chicago X - CHICAGO***

Once Or Twice/You Are On My Mind/Skin Tight/If You Leave Me Now/Together Again/Another Rainy Day In New York City/Mama Mama/Scrapbook/Gently I'll Wake You/You Get It Up/Hope For Love

Chicago continued to move away from their jazz-rock roots with Chicago X, transforming into a soft rock band. This certainly paid off with the single If You Leave Me Now, No. 1 on both sides of the Atlantic, gaining a Grammy in the process. (US:3 UK:21)

“They had now become a pop rock band, a soft rock band and an easy listening band. But even the pop rock itself was waning. If You Leave Me Now is a great soft rock tune. If the rest of the album were as consistent you'd have a great soft rock album. But it isn't.”

“Just by listening to this album it's quite apparent that Chicago's best days were behind them and their decline was beginning. It seems that bands with horn sections (an innovative concept around the late sixties) just didn't have strong staying power.”

“I just adore If You Leave Me Now, but the remainder of the LP isn't as good as this which is too bad. Anyway, some nice songs, and better than the previous one.”

“If You Leave Me Now was a hit, therefore it is on a compilation. Everything else on this album is pitiful, so this one should be melted. Unfortunately, this would be an indication of things to come.”

“I think this was one to many Chicago albums for me. Everything up to this point is class, but I'll leave the cheesy ballads from here on in for the housewives.”

“I agree with popular sentiment that this is indeed the worst of the Terry Kath era, but that doesn't mean this record is a complete waste. There are a number of very solid songs, and most people should find at least some redeeming qualities to it.”

“This was where the band completely went down the sewer, between Cetera's sappy, overwrought ballads, and extremely mediocre songwriting, it was obvious the spark of the early albums had long gone out.”

“If You Leave Me Now would end up being the band's most popular tune. This really started the whole ballad thing with Chicago. The rest of the songs vary from good to very good showcasing the bands diverse talent for music. If you like Chicago, you will like this album.”