10cc ...Meanwhile CD

In the fall of 1991, it was announced that 10cc's original quartet of members had reconvened in Woodstock, to begin work on their first album together in 16 years. Of course it didn't happen like that; Kevin Godley and Lol Creme both had other careers to consider at that time, and the bulk of the new record was left to Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman -- whose own tenure at the helm ended when they split the band in 1983. And it shows. Although the prodigals did contribute to the album by way of backing vocals, their presence was scarcely felt. Neither did producer Gary Katz add anything to the brew, as songs that sounded terrific as demos ("Welcome to Paradise" in particular) were simply plastered over with studio lushness by session men that the 10cc-ers themselves did not even know. The result is a polished piece of nothing, an album that owes nothing to the 10cc that listeners know and love, and not much to anything that was going on elsewhere on the music scene at that time. It simply sits in the corner humming quietly to itself, and it's easy to forget that it even exists. ~ Dave Thompson

In the fall of 1991, it was announced that 10cc's original quartet of members had reconvened in Woodstock, to begin work on their first album together in 16 years. Of course it didn't happen like that; Kevin Godley and Lol Creme both had other careers to consider at that time, and the bulk of the new record was left to Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman -- whose own tenure at the helm ended when they split the band in 1983. [7T's issued their 15-track edition in 2008.] ~ Dave Thompson

Japanese-only SHM-CD (Super High Material CD) pressing of this rock album currently unavailable outside of Japan. SHM-CDs can be played on any audio player and delivers unbelievably high-quality sound. You won't believe it's the same CD! Universal. 2008.

Recording information: Bearsville Studios, Woodstock, NY; River Sound Studio, New York, NY; Studio Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA; The Hit Factory, New York, NY; Village Recorders, Los Angeles, CA.

Photographer: Dean Steadman.

Personnel: Gordon Gaines, Michael Landau (guitar); Andrew Gold (12-string guitar); Dan Higgins (saxophone); Jerry Hay, Gary Grant (trumpet); Bill Reichenbach Jr. (trombone); Paul Griffen (synthesizer); David Paich (string synthesizer); Jeff Porcaro (drums, percussion); Bashiri Johnson (tambourine, percussion); Curtis King, Tawatha Agee (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Eric Stewart; Robin Barclay; Steve MacMillan.