How Dare You! Are You Normal?
Tribute fan page for the British band, including a message board and RealAudio files.
http://www.frankie.org/10CC/ |
10cc discography, lyrics, pictures, midis, etc.
Song lyrics, wallpapers, free midi files, discography, picture galleries and audio samples.
http://www.sortmusic.com/_0/10-cc.html |
10cc Lyrics
Words to songs listed by album.
http://www.davemcnally.com/lyrics/10cc/ |
Minestrone
The web site for the 10CC/Godley and Creme mailing list, with a sizeable archives.
http://www.geocities.com/minestrone17/ |
The Official 10cc Fan Club
Contains articles and interviews, a fanzine, a list of frequently asked questions, and related links.
http://home.wanadoo.nl/matters.10cc/ |
The UnOfficial 10cc Fan Pages
Facts, how to join the fan club, and memorabilia/records for sale.
http://www.strawberrynorth.co.uk/ |
Amazon offers
Mirror Mirror (Audio CD),01 June, 1996
List price $21.99
more like a combination of 2 solo albums than a bonafide 10cc release, but great stuff nonetheless / 5
10cc's original 4 piece lineup was sort of reunited for the 1992 comeback album "...Meanwhile", but Kevin Godley and Lol Creme didn't contribute to any of the songwriting, sang but didn't play any instruments, and don't even appear on some of the tracks at all; plus, apart from a lead vocal from Kevin Godley on one song, all the lead vocals were from the angel-voiced Eric Stewart, and it seems Stewart was dominating the songwriting as well despite co-writes from Graham Gouldman on every track. 10cc embarked on the "Alive" tour in support of "...Meanwhile", but by the time of 1995's "Mirror Mirror", it seems that 10cc barely existed at all. However, unlike "Windows In The Jungle" and "...Meanwhile" where Stewart seemed to largely be running the show, "Mirror Mirror" is a different story.
I do want to point out that, strangely, there are a few different versions of "Mirror Mirror" floating around. Sorry if this is confusing, but it's worth mentioning. One of them is a 10 track release which includes the "Rework Of Art Mix" of "I'm Not In Love". The Japanese version which I have contains all 10 of those tracks plus 5 more including an "Acoustic Session '95" version of "I'm Not In Love". There's also a 14 track version which omits the "I'm Not In Love (Rework Of Art Mix)", but otherwise has all the same tracks as the Japanese version, though not in the exact same order. Unless you're on a serious budget, I can't see why anyone who's interested in this album in the first place should settle merely for the 10 track version. The "I'm Not In Love (Rework Of Art Mix)" is redundant and inessential (which I'll get to shortly), so, if you get the 14 track version, you're really not missing out on anything. As I said, I have the 15 track version and that's the version I'm going to use as the basis for my review.
In a nutshell, "Mirror Mirror" is solo material from Stewart and Gouldman compiled into one album to create a 10cc release. Not counting the versions of "I'm Not In Love" that bookend the album... All the tracks here were co-produced by Adrian Lee, seemingly in an attempt to 'unify' the album, because on none of the tracks do Stewart and Gouldman both appear, and Stewart & Gouldman share writing credits on just a couple songs. All six of the Stewart tracks were recorded at his own studio in France (where he subsequently would record nearly all of his "Do Not Bend"), a majority of which are Stewart solo compositions. The seven Gouldman tracks were all recorded in London. Three of them are Gouldman solo compositions; there's also "The Monkey And The Onion" which Graham wrote with Tim Rice (of "Lion King" fame); and "Ready To Go Home" was co-written by Graham's Wax UK partner Andrew Gold who did also briefly team up with 10cc in the early '80s, and Gold even sings lead on the track. All that said, it's really stretching it to call this a bonafide 10cc album, and there's no doubt that there was still some hope of cashing in on the band's name, but regardless, "Mirror Mirror" is a great album.
Quite bizarrely, 'updated' versions of "I'm Not In Love" bookend the album. Admittedly, the "Rework Of Art Mix" is quite pointless--it uses the original recording, hence making it Godley & Creme's sole 'appearance' on the album, and makes some minor modifications and includes a new Stewart lead vocal, and unsurprisingly, it's inferior to the original. Both versions are certainly listenable--after all, it's a great song--but they're extremely redundant and needless.
With that out of the way, we can focus on what a great album this is, starting with the Gouldman tracks, which, although not quite as uniformly excellent as Stewart's, prove that Graham's voice is still strong and that his melodic sense remains excellent. "Peace In Our Time" is a wonderfully catchy and bittersweet song with lead guitar from Rick Fenn, a great Gouldman vocal, and a programmed dance beat that nods to the Madchester scene of the early '90s. The reggae-fied Stewart/ Gouldman composition "Take This Woman" is silly but fun. The orchestrated, acoustic "The Monkey And The Onion", the breezy "Blue Bird", and the charming love song "Grow Old With Me" are all lovely ballads. "Ready To Go Home" is a gorgeous, deeply moving song that reflects upon the passing of Graham's father. The solo acoustic "Now You're Gone" seems to be Gouldman reflecting on a broken relationship in a deliberately lighthearted manner--unfortunately he goes overboard with the annoying, excessive 'silly backing vocal', even though the tune itself is decent.
Stewart is in top-notch form as usual. "Code Of Silence", which features Paul McCartney on keyboards, is a powerful, chilling ballad about trying to help a woman who tries to hide her depression; it also has a great, Steve Hackett-ish guitar solo from Stewart. The atmospheric, confessional "Why Did I Break Your Heart?" is an absolutely wrenching and mesmerizing ballad--somewhat surprisingly, the writing credit is given to both Stewart and Gouldman. Not all of his tracks are as deadly serious as this aforementioned pair--the bubblegummy "Yvonne's The One", co-written by and featuring Paul McCartney, is an irresistible 'steel drum'-laden pop-rock confection. The 'steel drums' also crop up on the ultra-catchy "Margo Wants the Mustard" which has clever and twisted lyrics. Eric serves up one of his 'message' songs with the infectious, casually funky "Everything Is Not Enough". "Age Of Consent" is also strong with its edginess and slyly naughty lyrics.
"Mirror Mirror" is the last 10cc album to date, and it seems to generally be viewed as a hiccup at best when it's noticed at all. However, you really owe it to yourself to give it a try--even though there's barely any collaboration between Stewart & Gouldman, they each demonstrate that they've still got it going on.
Song "Everything Is Not Enough"
It doesn't help you if you scream and shout
That isn't what this thing is all about
And do you really want to fight to win
You're missing out and that's another sin
Your dream of power is a sacrifice
Do you really want to pay that price
Just think about it and you'll change the pace
Look in the mirror tell me who do you face
Who is that?
It's everything, everything is not enough
I want it all, that's tough, that's tough, that's tough
Another dream, another dream, another dream goes pop
This is the time, let's stop, let's stop, let's stop
Nobody loves you if you moan all day
So take it easy then you'll get your way
You ain't no dummy and I'm sure you know
You know it's better if you let it go
You're in control if you let it go
You're feeling better when you let it flow
You never really had to catch the moon
You're better jumping to another tune
So let's jump
It's everything, everything is not enough
I want it all, that's tough, that's tough, that's tough
Another dream, another dream, another dream goes pop
This is the time, let's stop, let's stop, let's stop
It's everything, everything is not enough
I want it all, that's tough, that's tough, that's tough
Another dream, another dream, another dream goes pop
This is the time, let's stop, let's stop, let's stop (do, do, do it)
I've got it all but it's not enough
I keep thinking "Boy I feel so rough
This can't be me, I'm such a happy guy"
I laugh a lot but I want to cry
A cry for help is just letting go
It hurts a lot but I think I know
It's time for change I don't need the hype
It's time for change and the time is ripe
So let's go
It's everything, everything is not enough
I want it all, that's tough, that's tough, that's tough
Another dream, another dream, another dream goes pop
This is the time, let's stop, let's stop, let's stop
It's everything, everything is not enough
I want it all, that's tough, that's tough, that's tough
Another dream, another dream, another dream goes pop
This is the time, let's stop, let's stop, let's stop
It's everything, everything is not enough
I want it all, that's tough, that's tough, that's tough
Another dream, another dream, another dream goes pop
This is the time, let's stop, let's stop, let's stop...
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10cc
The Classic Bubblegum Music Home Page. 10cc: Behind The Bubblegum Scene. ...
It will be a well-written review I'm sure but it will only pose the question: ...
http://home.att.net/~bubblegumusic/10cc.htm
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Amazon.com At a Glance: 10cc
The Very Best of 10cc ~ 10cc Average Customer Review:: Release Date: June 17, 1997
... 10cc Average Customer Review:: Release Date: September 25, 2001 ...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/music/artist/id/120713
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Amazon.com: The Very Best of 10cc: Music
0 of 5 people found the following review helpful:. 5 out of 5 stars 10cc Is The
Shiznit, February 5, 2006. A Kid's Review. I LOVE 10CC & I WISH I COULD GET ...
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000001EW7?v=glance
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10CC in general - Review - "It hides a nasty stain that's lying there"
10CC in general - Review - "It hides a nasty stain that's lying there"
http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/archive-music/10cc-in-general/278526/
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