11cc: ‘I’m Not In Love’
June 27th, 2002 by freddie96
B I G C H I L L R E C O R D O F T H E W E E K
01/07/02
11cc
‘I’m Not In Love’
10cc were named after the amount of semen ejaculated by the average male at orgasm. 11cc go one cubic centimetre louder.
The original recording was released in 1975 and pushed the boundaries of studio recording to the absolute limits. Literally hundreds of vocal overdubs were recorded and then spun in off tape loops positioned around the studio. One could say that it was the first record that ‘sampled’ as we know it today. In short, it was an audio masterpiece from the imaginations of Graham Gouldman and Eric Stewart.
Not many artists have covered this track, simply because it’s virtually impossible to better the original. For this version by 11cc, however, none of the elements of the original have been used – it’s all been re-recorded using similar vocal layering techniques that were used 27 years ago.
The result is something sublime. One of those records that the moment you hear it, you know that it is already entering your consciousness and before long will work its way down your spine into your heart, where it will remain for a very long time, consistently reminding you of the time and place where you very first heard it.
Which is to say there is nothing nostalgic or cheesy about this record. Somewhat in the manner of Soft Rock’s version of ‘If You Leave Me Now’ by Chicago – a record that will always remind me of two particularly fine weekends in the country surrounded by a huge number of friendly faces last summer – it pays homage to a great song by bringing it fully into the present.
11cc don’t sample or cut up ‘I’m Not In Love’, however; the song is performed from start to finish, retaining much of the original’s phrasing and sense of pace (although it is marginally faster). Certainly it captures 10cc’s haunting, bittersweet atmospherics. If it weren’t for the beautiful vocal performance which lies at the heart of this version, you probably wouldn’t believe that it weren’t some kind of fiendishly clever remix. It’s a wonderful version, simple as that.
Another chill-out anthem is born? I would say so.
Freddie B.
A very limited edition run of the compact disc version which contains both the ‘a-side’ and ‘b-side’ mixes was made available at EG2002. Those who were unable to find a copy will be pleased to learn that this track will also appear on ‘The Big Chill Loves You’ compilation this summer.
