Released 50 years ago
How Dare You!
10cc · 1976
42 min · 9 tracks · rock music
A whimsical blend of art rock and progressive pop that challenges conventions with playful lyrics and intricate melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
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How Dare You Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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I Wanna Rule the World — This track encapsulates the album's thematic exploration of ambition and power dynamics through clever lyrics and a catchy melody, making it a standout example of 10cc's artistry.
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I’m Mandy Fly Me — The narrative-driven lyrics combined with a lush arrangement highlight 10cc's penchant for storytelling, showcasing their ability to weave humor with emotional depth.
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Art for Arts Sake — This song serves as a commentary on artistic integrity versus commercialism, demonstrating the band's self-awareness and their knack for satirical lyricism.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate melodies and playful lyrics, maintaining a distinct sound while exploring various themes.
What we noticed
- Several tracks, such as 'I Wanna Rule the World,' incorporate abrupt tempo changes that create a sense of unpredictability.
- The final track, 'Don’t Hang Up,' concludes with a fade-out that leaves the listener hanging, reinforcing the album's playful tone.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- playful and witty storytelling
- varied emotional landscapes
- thought-provoking lyrical themes
- engaging melodic experimentation
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified 10cc's reputation following their earlier success.
- Themes
- artistic integrity· ambition and power· narrative storytelling
- Moods
- Dark
- Career context
- Released in 1976, How Dare You! marked 10cc's fourth studio album, following the success of their critically acclaimed album The Original Soundtrack. At this point in their career, they were solidifying their reputation for innovative songwriting and blending genres, pushing further into experimental territory.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Supertramp· Electric Light Orchestra· Steely Dan
Tracklist
- 1 How Dare You Start here 4:13
- 2 Lazy Ways 4:19
- 3 I Wanna Rule the World 3:59
- 4 I’m Mandy Fly Me 5:22
- 5 Iceberg 3:45
- 6 Art for Arts Sake 6:01
- 7 Rock ’n’ Roll Lullaby 3:59
- 8 Head Room 4:16
- 9 Don’t Hang Up 6:16
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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