Deceptive Bends

Deceptive Bends

Track Listings

1. Good Morning Judge
2. Things We Do for Love
3. Marriage Bureau Rendezvous
4. People in Love
5. Modern Man Blues
6. Honeymoon With B Troop
7. I Bought a Flat Guitar Tutor
8. You've Got a Cold
9. Feel the Benefit, Pt. 1-3
10. Hot to Trot [*]
11. Don't Squeeze Me Like Toothpaste [*]
12. I'm So Laid Back, I'm Laid Out [*]

Deceptive Bends,10cc,Polygram Records,Album Rock,Pop,Pop/Rock,Popular Music,Prog-Rock/Art Rock,Rock,Soft Rock


Deceptive Bends
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 10cc Decptive Bends.
  • A musical odyssey!
  • Too much to like about this to dismiss it for what it isn't.
  • The Pleasure Of Pop Invention
  • pure pop
Deceptive Bends
10cc
Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Pop | Styles | Music
Soft RockSoft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
Progressive RockProgressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music
Album-Oriented Rock (AOR)Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
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PopPop | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. How Dare You!
  2. Bloody Tourists
  3. The Original Soundtrack
  4. Sheet Music
  5. 10cc

ASIN: B000006U4K
Release Date: 1997-07-21

Tracks:

  1. Good Morning Judge
  2. The Things We Do For Love
  3. Marriage Bureau Rendezvous
  4. People In Love
  5. Modern Man Blues
  6. Honeymoon With B Troop
  7. I Bought A Flat Guitar Tutor
  8. You've Got A Cold
  9. Feel The Benefit (Parts 1, 2 & 3 )
  10. Hot To Trot
  11. Don't Squeeze Me Like Toothpaste
  12. I'm So Laid Back, I'm Laid Out

Album Description

Digitally remastered 1997 reissue of their top 40 1977 albumwith three bonus tracks: 'Hot To Trot', 'Don't Squeeze Me Like Toothpaste' & 'I'm So Laid Back, I'm Laid Out'. 12 tracks total, also featuring the top five smash 'The Things We Do For Love', the top 40 hit 'People In Love' and the classic 'Good Morning Judge'. A Mercury Records release.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered Including Three Extra Tracks. Tracklisting Includes: Good Morning Judge, the Things We Do for Love, Marriage Bureau Rendezvous, People in Love, Modern Man Blues, Honeymoon with B Troop, I Bought a Flat Guitar Tutor, and More.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars 10cc Decptive Bends........2007-06-13

Simply put, this is outstanding music. They don't make music like this anymore, what a shame.

5 out of 5 stars A musical odyssey!.......2007-04-17

From the catchy beat of the novelty opening track "Good Morning, Judge" to the musical ride of the last title "Feel the Benefit", this is a solid album from top to bottom.

If you could only listen to one track(which would be a CRIME), make it the aforementioned "Feel the Benefit". It is truly an odyssey of wonderful orchestral musings with 10CC's signature guitar riffs amid flowing tempo changes. Just be forewarned that it is 10+ minutes long - but, for me, it was the best song I had never heard...

This has been one of my favorite albums for almost 30 years now, and it takes me back to high school very time!

4 out of 5 stars Too much to like about this to dismiss it for what it isn't........2007-02-18

This is the classic "this ain't the same band" situation that is omnipresent in the music business, and that the fans embody. Whether it's a band fragmenting or a new singer, many long time loyalists will refuse to acknowledge the "watered down" version of their long time beloved band. In many cases they're right. But there are many examples of when it works. I know what I like, and I love "Deceptive Bends." My knowledge of 10cc before this CD was very limited, with only "I'm Not In Love" rolling off the top of my head. And after hearing, buying and indulging in "Bends," I dug deeper into the band's past to see if there was something I missed. Well, at least for my tastes at that time, I hadn't. Early 10cc is to that band, what early Genesis is to themselves. Many grew on both's early music. But both bands evolved, for better or worse depending on who you ask. But the fact is, both also evolved into a more refined sound that found a bigger audience. "Deceptive Bends" is full of examples of a band that hit it's heights in strong songs. The opening 1-2 punch of "Good Morning Judge" and "The Things We Do For Love" are great examples of the range of audience this band could reach- the strong opening guitar licks, infectuous chorus and rhythm, and animated content of "Judge", and the lead vocals and lush background harmonies of "Things" provide the broad range of sound to follow on the rest of the CD. They're followed by 3 effectively catchy songs that if not found on the more progressive radio stations of the time, they were certainly heard being played enthusisastically by those who were listening to more than just one 10cc song for the first times in their lives. That's quite a turnaround, regardless of what you think the band became after it splintered. And there was still more pop left on the CD. "Honeymoon With B Troop; You've Got a Cold," and "Feel The Benefit" offer some quality and variety, and all with enough traces of early 10cc to maintain (though not necessarily outright) the loyalty of some fo their earliest fans. "Honeymoon" has some great hooks and pace, and eclectic flavored "Benefit" is a multi-tempoed, outright jam, offering a closing guitar jam that stands out as one of the best of its time. Originally, this record had outstanding sound quality. The remastered CD is superb, offering a more enriiched, crystal clear appreciation for a CD that spans such a wide variety of musical genres with a purpose. Though I've listened to a lot of their music over time, I hadn't bought any 10cc before, or since this CD. This mid 70s CD holds up well today.

5 out of 5 stars The Pleasure Of Pop Invention.......2006-11-15

Deceptive Bends was the beginning of the end for 10cc. The band had split into two bands: 10cc and Godley & Creme. "How Dare You" was the magnum opus, and in my view the best album that 10cc came out with, not to mention one of the best albums of a decade that was full of amazing albums.

But now the year was 1977 and Graham Gouldman and Eric Stewart regrouped and came back with a beautiful pop album that showed a subtle change in the 10cc sound. The interesting thing is that for all the wonderfully quirky pop art that filled the first four albums that included Godley & Creme, the music was still alive with fresh ideas and inventive productions, just a bit less cerebral. Sure, this was no "Consequences", Godley & Creme's first album that was full of high art but lacking in accessibility; but Deceptive Bends has so many infectious melodies and grooves that it intensified what made this band so attractive in the first place... The pleasure of invention.

Every song on this album has become (more or less) a highlight for me, including the bonus tracks. But the first side of the album is definitely the stronger half. It is rare to have a perfect album- in my mind there are very few of those. But I've got to give Deceptive Bends five stars nonetheless, because take away few missteps and you have a pop masterpiece.


Bloody Tourists continued the success of inventive pop music that Deceptive Bends had brought- it was the weaker of the two but still was mostly great.

I think the music declined somewhat after that for 10cc. That's not to say Look Hear, Ten Out Of 10, or Windows In The Jungle aren't strong albums- they just don't have the allure that the albums up to Bloody Tourist have; Ten Out Of 10 probably being the strongest of the three.

One note: I though it was interesting how close the guitar solo on "The Things We Do For Love" sounds like the guitar solo from "Killer Queen" by Queen.

4 out of 5 stars pure pop.......2005-07-22

I dusted off this gem while still recording old vinyl to digital recently and and realized how good this effort really is. Without Kevin Godley and Lol Creme the two remaining members ( Eric Stewert and Graham Chapman) turn out their carefully measured brand of pop and they hit paydirt with nearly every cut. "Good Morning Judge" builds clever, tougue-in-cheek lyrics/story around a tight guitar riff and transitions smoothly into the classic pop "the Things we do for Love". "Marriage Bureau Rendezvous" is a melancholy ballad beautiful in its lyrics and melody (and is a bitch to spell). "People in Love" is more of the same for the duo...wistful lyrics and uncanny sense of melody. Side two offers up the epic "Feel the Benefit" one of the band's finest efforts ever. Overall the album has the feel of the duo crafting these songs and piecing them together with skill. The duo perform most of the instruments themselves and perform them well. These aren't three chord rockers , many are complicated pieces with intricate parts layered. Which brings up another score for the band here....production. This effort is sonically superior to most everything produced in the era of the mid-to-late 70s, it's a very clean, spry production. The only thing keeping the album from the cherished five-star rating is the weaker effort "Modern Man Blues" which doesn't seem to suit the band's pop stylings. Anyway, "Deceptive Bends" is easily one of 10cc's best efforts and a top 20 effort in my book from any band of the 1970s.
Deceptive Bends
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • The Pleasure Of Pop Invention
  • overrated--has its moments, but Stewart & Gouldman were quite a bit off their game here
Deceptive Bends
10cc
Manufacturer: Universal
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Pop | Styles | Music
Soft RockSoft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
Progressive RockProgressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music
Album-Oriented Rock (AOR)Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
RockRock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. How Dare You!
  2. The Original Soundtrack (+2 Bonus Tracks)
  3. Bloody Tourists

ASIN: B00005R0VO
Release Date: 2007-06-25

Tracks:

  1. Good Morning Judge
  2. Things We Do for Love
  3. Marriage Bureau Rendezvous
  4. People in Love
  5. Modern Man Blues
  6. Honeymoon With B Troop
  7. I Bought a Flat Guitar Tutor
  8. You've Got a Cold
  9. Feel the Benefit, Pt. 1-3
  10. Hot to Trot [*]
  11. Don't Squeeze Me Like Toothpaste [*]
  12. I'm So Laid Back I'm Laid Out [*]

Album Description

Limited Edition Japanese pressing of this album comes housed in a miniature LP sleeve. 2007.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered Japanese Limited Edition in an LP-STYLE Slipcase. Also Include Three Additional Tracks Not on the Original Release: 'hot to Slot', 'don't Squeeze Me Like Toothpaste', and 'i'm So Laid Back, I'm Laid Out'

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars The Pleasure Of Pop Invention.......2006-11-15

Deceptive Bends was the beginning of the end for 10cc. The band had split into two bands: 10cc and Godley & Creme. "How Dare You" was the magnum opus, and in my view the best album that 10cc came out with, not to mention one of the best albums of a decade that was full of amazing albums.

But now the year was 1977 and Graham Gouldman and Eric Stewart regrouped and came back with a beautiful pop album that showed a subtle change in the 10cc sound. The interesting thing is that for all the wonderfully quirky pop art that filled the first four albums that included Godley & Creme, the music was still alive with fresh ideas and inventive productions, just a bit less cerebral. Sure, this was no "Consequences", Godley & Creme's first album that was full of high art but lacking in accessibility; but Deceptive Bends has so many infectious melodies and grooves that it intensified what made this band so attractive in the first place... The pleasure of invention.

Every song on this album has become (more or less) a highlight for me, including the bonus tracks. But the first side of the album is definitely the stronger half. It is rare to have a perfect album- in my mind there are very few of those. But I've got to give Deceptive Bends five stars nonetheless, because take away few missteps and you have a pop masterpiece.


Bloody Tourists continued the success of inventive pop music that Deceptive Bends had brought- it was the weaker of the two but still was mostly great.

I think the music declined somewhat after that for 10cc. That's not to say Look Hear, Ten Out Of 10, or Windows In The Jungle aren't strong albums- they just don't have the allure that the albums up to Bloody Tourist have; Ten Out Of 10 probably being the strongest of the three.

One note: I though it was interesting how close the guitar solo on "The Things We Do For Love" sounds like the guitar solo from "Killer Queen" by Queen.

3 out of 5 stars overrated--has its moments, but Stewart & Gouldman were quite a bit off their game here.......2005-07-24

As true 10cc fans know, Kevin Godley & Lol Creme left 10cc prior to 1977`s "Deceptive Bends", making this the first 10cc record to not feature the aforementioned duo, leaving Eric Stewart & Graham Gouldman as the only two remaining original members. Paul Burgess was brought in to handle drumming duties and would continue to work with the group on their next few albums. "Deceptive Bends" tends to be considered something of a last gasp for 10cc, i.e. the best album they made after Godley & Creme's departure. This is a cruel twist of fate indeed because it's actually quite the opposite--this is clearly the weakest 10cc studio album from the time of Godley & Creme's departure to 10cc's initial breakup in 1983/ 1984. If you pick this album up thinking it's the best 10cc had to offer after Godley & Creme's exit, it's quite possible you might not feel inclined to explore the band any further, which would be a terrible mistake. Each and every track on this album was written by Stewart & Gouldman, as were the three non-album b-sides added as bonus tracks to this CD version, & on the whole, they were considerably off their game. It seems quite possible that they were thrown for a loop with the departure of Godley & Creme, who contributed a lot of the songwriting on previous efforts, and ended up scrambling to come up with enough material for the album. On top of this, it seems like Stewart & Gouldman were trying desperately to maintain Godley & Creme's trademark 'wackiness', and the album ends up often sounding forced (a previous reviewer for the "Bloody Tourists" album made a comment along these lines that really hits the nail on the head). I'm a diehard 10cc fan, and I've listened to this thing again and again thinking maybe the genius has been evading me, but no. Now, I'm not saying this album doesn't have its moments, because it certainly does. In fact, the first two tracks get it off to a great start--"Good Morning Judge" is an infectious funk-rocker with a fun, searing, echoy slide guitar lick that crops up; & the McCartney-esque "The Things We Do For Love" is a catchy feel-good pop confection with masterful vocal harmonies--it`s perhaps telling that these two tracks had both largely, if not entirely, already been written prior to Godley & Creme leaving, & unfortunately, things quickly take a turn for the worse following these two songs. The mellow ballad "Marriage Bureau Rendezvous" tries to be humorous & uplifting, and the effect is awkward and unsettling--it feels frustratingly forced, & suffers from the failed attempts at humor. "Modern Man Blues" has 10cc's trademark sudden musical shifts, but it still manages to feel underdeveloped, and it`s a highly annoying track with more failed humor & an overlong, overdone, repetitive fade. Another thing that hurts this album is presentation... They actually did a solid version of the funked-up "You've Got A Cold" on the 1977 live album "Live and Let Live", but the version here (with keyboards from Jean Roussel), though still pretty fun in a dumb way, is a bit overdone and overly slick, and it ends up sounding kind of lame. "Honeymoon With B Troop" is also better on "Live and Let Live"--the version here does get your attention with its catchiness & moodiness, but it overdoes the gimmicky, effect-laden background vocals to tedious effect. Stewart really wanted to make a 'Big Statement' on the 11+ minute album-closer "Feel the Benefit", but they badly missed the mark--it starts off with a guitar part that instantly recalls "Dear Prudence", & it rambles on aimlessly & incoherently, and it also features excessive orchestration, and an extended instrumental outro that annoyingly ends in `sudden death' fashion as if they knew they'd already rambled on for too long and didn't have a clue as to how to bring the track to a satisfying conclusion. On the positive side, "People In Love" is a nice, tuneful, dreamy ballad with an excellent lead vocal from Stewart, & the short "I Bought A Flat Guitar Tutor" with its extremely witty music terminology-laden lyrics is indeed very funny. For the sake of completeness, the three non-LP b-sides added to this CD version are a great bonus, but like the album itself, they've overall disappointing--the minor-keyed "I`m So Laid Back, I`m Laid Out" is a really cool, catchy tune, but it's marred by the overly-repetitive fade; the ascending chords portions of "Hot To Trot" are annoying, and the mellow ballad "Don't Squeeze Me Like Toothpaste" is fluff. "Good Morning Judge", "The Things We Do For Love", & "People In Love" are all available on several different compilations including the 3 CD "Ultimate Collection" which is a great item to have for any 10cc fan. "Deceptive Bends" is not a disaster, but it's a disappointing album in the career of one of the all-time great bands. However, Stewart & Gouldman kept Burgess on board, as well as adding several other new members to the band, & ended up bouncing back in a big way on the following album, "Bloody Tourists".
Deceptive Bends
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • The Pleasure Of Pop Invention
  • overrated--has its moments, but Stewart & Gouldman were quite a bit off their game here
  • Post split up, there's still life in 10cc.
  • If you buy only one 10cc album... buy this one!
  • Nothing DECEPTIVE about this one-a fine album
Deceptive Bends
10cc
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Pop | Styles | Music
Soft RockSoft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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Similar Items:
  1. How Dare You!
  2. Bloody Tourists

ASIN: B000001FPS
Release Date: 1990-02-06

Tracks:

  1. Good Morning Judge
  2. Things We Do for Love
  3. Marriage Bureau Rendezvous
  4. People in Love
  5. Modern Man Blues
  6. Honeymoon With B Troop
  7. I Bought a Flat Guitar Tutor
  8. You've Got a Cold
  9. Feel the Benefit, Pt. 1-3
  10. Hot to Trot [*]
  11. Don't Squeeze Me Like Toothpaste [*]
  12. I'm So Laid Back I'm Laid Out [*]

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars The Pleasure Of Pop Invention.......2006-11-15

Deceptive Bends was the beginning of the end for 10cc. The band had split into two bands: 10cc and Godley & Creme. "How Dare You" was the magnum opus, and in my view the best album that 10cc came out with, not to mention one of the best albums of a decade that was full of amazing albums.

But now the year was 1977 and Graham Gouldman and Eric Stewart regrouped and came back with a beautiful pop album that showed a subtle change in the 10cc sound. The interesting thing is that for all the wonderfully quirky pop art that filled the first four albums that included Godley & Creme, the music was still alive with fresh ideas and inventive productions, just a bit less cerebral. Sure, this was no "Consequences", Godley & Creme's first album that was full of high art but lacking in accessibility; but Deceptive Bends has so many infectious melodies and grooves that it intensified what made this band so attractive in the first place... The pleasure of invention.

Every song on this album has become (more or less) a highlight for me, including the bonus tracks. But the first side of the album is definitely the stronger half. It is rare to have a perfect album- in my mind there are very few of those. But I've got to give Deceptive Bends five stars nonetheless, because take away few missteps and you have a pop masterpiece.


Bloody Tourists continued the success of inventive pop music that Deceptive Bends had brought- it was the weaker of the two but still was mostly great.

I think the music declined somewhat after that for 10cc. That's not to say Look Hear, Ten Out Of 10, or Windows In The Jungle aren't strong albums- they just don't have the allure that the albums up to Bloody Tourist have; Ten Out Of 10 probably being the strongest of the three.

One note: I though it was interesting how close the guitar solo on "The Things We Do For Love" sounds like the guitar solo from "Killer Queen" by Queen.

3 out of 5 stars overrated--has its moments, but Stewart & Gouldman were quite a bit off their game here.......2005-07-24

First of all, I want to point out that if you intend to get a copy of "Deceptive Bends" on CD that contains the 3 non-LP b-sides from this era as bonus tracks, I'd be wary about ordering it from this particular page, because despite the track listing, this page appears to be for an older US release of "Deceptive Bends" that doesn't include the bonus tracks, although I think it does include song lyrics and a more faithful recreation of the layout of the original gatefold vinyl album.

As true 10cc fans know, Kevin Godley & Lol Creme left 10cc prior to 1977`s "Deceptive Bends", making this the first 10cc record to not feature the aforementioned duo, leaving Eric Stewart & Graham Gouldman as the only two remaining original members. Paul Burgess was brought in to handle drumming duties and would continue to work with the group on their next few albums. "Deceptive Bends" tends to be considered something of a last gasp for 10cc, i.e. the best album they made after Godley & Creme's departure. This is a cruel twist of fate indeed because it's actually quite the opposite--this is clearly the weakest 10cc studio album from the time of Godley & Creme's departure to 10cc's initial breakup in 1983/ 1984. If you pick this album up thinking it's the best 10cc had to offer after Godley & Creme's exit, it's quite possible you might not feel inclined to explore the band any further, which would be a terrible mistake. Each and every track on this album was written by Stewart & Gouldman, & on the whole, they were considerably off their game. It seems quite possible that they were thrown for a loop with the departure of Godley & Creme, who contributed a lot of the songwriting on previous efforts, and ended up scrambling to come up with enough material for the album. On top of this, it seems like Stewart & Gouldman were trying desperately to maintain Godley & Creme's trademark 'wackiness', and the album ends up often sounding forced (a previous reviewer for the "Bloody Tourists" album made a comment along these lines that really hits the nail on the head). I'm a diehard 10cc fan, and I've listened to this thing again and again thinking maybe the genius has been evading me, but no. Now, I'm not saying this album doesn't have its moments, because it certainly does. In fact, the first two tracks get it off to a great start--"Good Morning Judge" is an infectious funk-rocker with a fun, searing, echoy slide guitar lick that crops up; & the McCartney-esque "The Things We Do For Love" is a catchy feel-good pop confection with masterful vocal harmonies--it`s perhaps telling that these two tracks had both largely, if not entirely, already been written prior to Godley & Creme leaving, & unfortunately, things quickly take a turn for the worse following these two songs. The mellow ballad "Marriage Bureau Rendezvous" tries to be humorous & uplifting, and the effect is awkward and unsettling--it feels frustratingly forced, & suffers from the failed attempts at humor. "Modern Man Blues" has 10cc's trademark sudden musical shifts, but it still manages to feel underdeveloped, and it`s a highly annoying track with more failed humor & an overlong, overdone, repetitive fade. Another thing that hurts this album is presentation... They actually did a solid version of the funked-up "You've Got A Cold" on the 1977 live album "Live and Let Live", but the version here (with keyboards from Jean Roussel), though still pretty fun in a dumb way, is a bit overdone and overly slick, and it ends up sounding kind of lame. "Honeymoon With B Troop" is also better on "Live and Let Live"--the version here does get your attention with its catchiness & moodiness, but it overdoes the gimmicky, effect-laden background vocals to tedious effect. Stewart really wanted to make a 'Big Statement' on the 11+ minute album-closer "Feel the Benefit", but they badly missed the mark--it starts off with a guitar part that instantly recalls "Dear Prudence", & it rambles on aimlessly & incoherently, and it also features excessive orchestration, and an extended instrumental outro that annoyingly ends in `sudden death' fashion as if they knew they'd already rambled on for too long and didn't have a clue as to how to bring the track to a satisfying conclusion. On the positive side, "People In Love" is a nice, tuneful, dreamy ballad with an excellent lead vocal from Stewart, & the short "I Bought A Flat Guitar Tutor" with its extremely witty music terminology-laden lyrics is indeed very funny. "Deceptive Bends" is not a disaster, but it's a disappointing album in the career of one of the all-time great bands. However, Stewart & Gouldman kept Burgess on board, as well as adding several other new members to the band, & ended up bouncing back in a big way on the following album, "Bloody Tourists".

5 out of 5 stars Post split up, there's still life in 10cc........2003-02-27

Oh no - 10cc have split up - what are we to do! I'll tell you exactly what...hit that shopping basket button and put a wide smile on your face! With the release of 'Deceptive Bends' Stewart and Gouldman reaffirmed their status as master song writers. You won't find any of the saccharin overtones of the pop orientated early 10cc here. This is the band at their very best - refined and polished until the album shines from start to finish. Prior to attempting this review, I took an objective view at the track listing...not a lemon amongst them! 'The things we do for love' alone justifies buying this album. It's no good, I'll have to stop and give the old faithful plastic copy a listen - see you in paradise!

5 out of 5 stars If you buy only one 10cc album... buy this one!.......1999-10-13

Okay, if you're a fan of the zany aspect of 10cc, maybe this album isn't for you. Sure, the humor is present, but not as much as in other works.

On the other hand, if you appreciate 10cc for being a group of talented musicians capable of producing mesmerizing songs... you'll love this.

In addition to their biggest hit, "The Things We Do For Love," this album boasts the wistful ballad, "People in Love," the classic "Good Morning Judge," and "Feel the Benefit," a true masterpiece of songwriting with lyrics that will bring tears to your eyes. (Okay, not the reggae bit in the middle... but the end bit.)

I rank this album as being one of my absolute favorites (and that's out of a personal collection in excess of 1000).

4 out of 5 stars Nothing DECEPTIVE about this one-a fine album.......1998-08-07

Clearly the loss of Godley & Creme was a tremendous blow to 10cc. Stewar and Gouldman continued on and pushed the 10cc sound in a new direction. More overtly poppy than its predecessor(HOW DARE YOU!), this album actually seems, at first, to be more conventional than previous 10cc albums.

After repeated listenings, though, it is clear that Stewart and Gouldman were attempting another concept album--one looking at the "deceptive bends" of relationships and the things that drive us to act the way we do. "The things we do for love" is a witty review of what humanity puts itself through for companionship.

At times, the production appears too sweet(making one initially pine for more of the Zappa like odd time changes), but again, consider the theme of the album. It fits it quite well with the general concept.

Although not as groundbreaking as HOW DARE YOU!, DECEPTIVE BENDS, in its own way, is the band's most melodic and accomplished recording. ! Well worth owning!
Deceptive Bends
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Terrific follow up to HOW DARE YOU!
Deceptive Bends
10cc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Pop | Styles | Music
Soft RockSoft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Album-Oriented Rock (AOR)Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Progressive RockProgressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000009FUV
Release Date: 2003-08-19

Tracks:

  1. Good Morning Judge
  2. Things We Do for Love
  3. Marriage Bureau Rendezvous
  4. People in Love
  5. Modern Man Blues
  6. Honeymoon With B Troop
  7. I Bought a Flat Guitar Tutor
  8. You've Got a Cold
  9. Feel the Benefit, Pt. 1-3
  10. Hot to Trot [*]
  11. Don't Squeeze Me Like Toothpaste [*]
  12. I'm So Laid Back I'm Laid Out [*]

Album Description

Digitally remastered 1997 reissue of their top 40 1977 albumwith three bonus tracks: 'Hot To Trot', 'Don't Squeeze Me Like Toothpaste' & 'I'm So Laid Back, I'm Laid Out'. 12 tracks total, also featuring the top five smash 'The Things We Do For Love', the top 40 hit 'People In Love' and the classic 'Good Morning Judge'. A Mercury Records release.

Album Description

Digitally remastered 1997 reissue of their top 40 1977 albumwith three bonus tracks: 'Hot To Trot', 'Don't Squeeze MeLike Toothpaste' & 'I'm So Laid Back, I'm Laid Out'. 12tracks total, also featuring the top five smash 'The ThingsWe Do For Love', the top 40 hit 'People In Love' and theclassic 'Good Morning Judge'. A Mercury Records release.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Terrific follow up to HOW DARE YOU!.......1998-08-14

This import version is far superior to the domestic version of DECEPTIVE BENDS. The sound sprakles and you can appreciate the engineering and production of Eric Stewart. The songwriting here is sharper than on later efforts like BLOODY TOURIST!

Of all the post Creme/Godley 10cc albums, this is the one that most captures the spirit of early 10cc, while building on the songwriting craft and humor of previous albums. Stewart and Gouldman wrote all the songs and perform all the instruments(Paul Burgess plays drums--Burgess was the band's touring drummer freeing up Kevin Godley to sing).

The last great 10cc album(there would be some fine additions after this, but nothing of the caliber of their finest work), this album, along with SHEET MUSIC, THE ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK and HOW DARE YOU! represents the best of this underrated 70's-80's band.
Deceptive Bends
Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
  • overrated--has its moments, but Stewart & Gouldman were quite a bit off their game here
Deceptive Bends

Manufacturer: Msi Music Corp
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000DEOXL
Release Date: 2002-07-11

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars overrated--has its moments, but Stewart & Gouldman were quite a bit off their game here.......2005-07-26

As true 10cc fans know, Kevin Godley & Lol Creme left 10cc prior to 1977`s "Deceptive Bends", making this the first 10cc record to not feature the aforementioned duo, leaving Eric Stewart & Graham Gouldman as the only two remaining original members. Paul Burgess was brought in to handle drumming duties and would continue to work with the group on their next few albums. "Deceptive Bends" tends to be considered something of a last gasp for 10cc, i.e. the best album they made after Godley & Creme's departure. This is a cruel twist of fate indeed because it's actually quite the opposite--this is clearly the weakest 10cc studio album from the time of Godley & Creme's departure to 10cc's initial breakup in 1983/ 1984. If you pick this album up thinking it's the best 10cc had to offer after Godley & Creme's exit, it's quite possible you might not feel inclined to explore the band any further, which would be a terrible mistake. Each and every track on this album was written by Stewart & Gouldman, & on the whole, they were considerably off their game. It seems quite possible that they were thrown for a loop with the departure of Godley & Creme, who contributed a lot of the songwriting on previous efforts, and ended up scrambling to come up with enough material for the album. On top of this, it seems like Stewart & Gouldman were trying desperately to maintain Godley & Creme's trademark 'wackiness', and the album ends up often sounding forced (a previous reviewer for the "Bloody Tourists" album made a comment along these lines that really hits the nail on the head). I'm a diehard 10cc fan, and I've listened to this thing again and again thinking maybe the genius has been evading me, but no. Now, I'm not saying this album doesn't have its moments, because it certainly does. In fact, the first two tracks get it off to a great start--"Good Morning Judge" is an infectious funk-rocker with a fun, searing, echoy slide guitar lick that crops up; & the McCartney-esque "The Things We Do For Love" is a catchy feel-good pop confection with masterful vocal harmonies--it`s perhaps telling that these two tracks had both largely, if not entirely, already been written prior to Godley & Creme leaving, & unfortunately, things quickly take a turn for the worse following these two songs. The mellow ballad "Marriage Bureau Rendezvous" tries to be humorous & uplifting, and the effect is awkward and unsettling--it feels frustratingly forced, & suffers from the failed attempts at humor. "Modern Man Blues" has 10cc's trademark sudden musical shifts, but it still manages to feel underdeveloped, and it`s a highly annoying track with more failed humor & an overlong, overdone, repetitive fade. Another thing that hurts this album is presentation... They actually did a solid version of the funked-up "You've Got A Cold" on the 1977 live album "Live and Let Live", but the version here (with keyboards from Jean Roussel), though still pretty fun in a dumb way, is a bit overdone and overly slick, and it ends up sounding kind of lame. "Honeymoon With B Troop" is also better on "Live and Let Live"--the version here does get your attention with its catchiness & moodiness, but it overdoes the gimmicky, effect-laden background vocals to tedious effect. Stewart really wanted to make a 'Big Statement' on the 11+ minute album-closer "Feel the Benefit", but they badly missed the mark--it starts off with a guitar part that instantly recalls "Dear Prudence", & it rambles on aimlessly & incoherently, and it also features excessive orchestration, and an extended instrumental outro that annoyingly ends in `sudden death' fashion as if they knew they'd already rambled on for too long and didn't have a clue as to how to bring the track to a satisfying conclusion. On the positive side, "People In Love" is a nice, tuneful, dreamy ballad with an excellent lead vocal from Stewart, & the short "I Bought A Flat Guitar Tutor" with its extremely witty music terminology-laden lyrics is indeed very funny.

In reference to the CD versions that contains 3 non-LP b-sides as bonus tracks... For the sake of completeness, they're a great bonus, but like the album itself, they've overall disappointing--the minor-keyed "I`m So Laid Back, I`m Laid Out" is a really cool, catchy tune, but it's marred by the overly-repetitive fade; the ascending chords portions of "Hot To Trot" are annoying, and the mellow ballad "Don't Squeeze Me Like Toothpaste" is fluff.

"Good Morning Judge", "The Things We Do For Love", & "People In Love" are all available on several different compilations including the 3 CD "Ultimate Collection" which is a great item to have for any 10cc fan. "Deceptive Bends" is not a disaster, but it's a disappointing album in the career of one of the all-time great bands. However, Stewart & Gouldman kept Burgess on board, as well as adding several other new members to the band, & ended up bouncing back in a big way on the following album, "Bloody Tourists".

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  4. For The Man I Love
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  6. Get Fit: Resistance
  7. Get Your Passport!
  8. Girl [CD-single] [Import]
  9. God Is a DJ Pt.1 [CD-single] [Limited Edition] [Import]
  10. Hemophiliac Dream [EP]

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Maurice Ravel: L'Oeuvre Pour Piano Seul

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