Bloody Tourists - 10CC*****

Dreadlock Holiday/For You & I/Take These Chains/Shock On The Tube/Last Night/The Anonymous Alcoholic/ Reds In My Bed/Life Line/Tokyo/Old Mister Time/From Rochdale To Ocho Rios/Everything You Want To Know About

Bloody Tourists was alas the last commercially successful album from the sophisticated pop group 10cc. Their musical diversity was somewhat reduced by the loss of two members, but the ability to write clever and distinctive songs remained. The band bowed out in style with the UK No. 1 hit Dreadlock Holiday. (US:69 UK:3)

“The overall quality of the songs is good, and there are no dud tracks. They made high quality, invariably commercial, and simply good pop music. If you want to get a good feel for their output, you might try this album.”

“Bloody Tourists is a continuation of the compositionally clever and lyrically tongue in cheek pop music that the band are known and loved for. It’s slightly more mainstream oriented, but the trademark vocal harmonies and choirs are still there in abundance. The slightly silly Caribbean/reggae influenced Dreadlock Holiday is a track that is sometimes much criticised, but looked upon objectively it’s a catchy, memorable and very well produced pop song.”

“10cc wrote perfect pop songs every time. Less sardonic that Steely Dan, their American counterparts, 10cc's music tended to mix affecting love songs with satire.”

“This brand of smart sophisticated music may well be over the heads of today's younger audience, who slobber over Lady Gaga or any number of faceless metal core bands that all sound exactly alike. For those with appreciation for real musicianship and humour however, 10cc are a great band to check out.”

“During the late 70s it was hard to escape the tuneless drivel of punk and the monotonous cacophony of disco drums. 10cc breathed fresh air into the music scene with Bloody Tourists. The album abounds with jaunty harmonies in cleverly crafted songs which defy you not to sing along. Stewart and Gouldman pen some virtually unsurpassable 10cc classics, which they perform with gusto and technical expertise.”

“There is something intriguing about this batch of downbeat, mysterious tunes. Lots of wounded stories told here. Those who delighted in the earlier albums, particularly the eccentric contributions of Godley and Creme, may not be too pleased with these selections, with their often MOR stylings.”