“If Somebody Loves You” by The Dave Clark Five - album review

features in: Album Chart of 1970Album Chart of the Decade: 1970s

TJR says

“If Somebody Loves You” (EMI Columbia SCX 6437) was released in the UK in 1970 – for the first time it’s the second DC5 album in a row to be released for the British market. It’s never simple with this band though… “On My Own” previously appeared on the 1965 LP “I Like It Like That”, whilst “Red And Blue” appeared on 1968’s “Everybody Knows”. Apart from that, 12 of these 14 tracks are all out on LP for the first time. Features a few single sides from 1968-1969. Ok, so, factualities out of the way, how are the band shaping up in 1970? Somewhat predictably, they continue to veer from the sublime to the ridiculous. “How Do You Get To Heaven” is a superb late career highlight, cerebral pop of the Ray Davies variety with a poignant set of anti-racist lyrics channelling deeply into the prevailing “love your brother” sentiment of the day. Dave’s acting mates (including Peter Davison i.e Dr. Who 1981-84) join him for some gospel effect on the following “Everybody Get Together” which also threatens to be a similar stunner, but, good though it is, doesn’t quite make it in the end. The out of time hand-clapping is a sheer rhythmic attrocity… you wouldn’t get that down at the Harlem Gospel… As for the ridiculous, well there’s much to choose from. The cover of “Here Comes Summer” was always going to be lame and they don’t disappoint. Elsewhere 70s MOR soft pop is taking a grip. A run through of titles like “Break Down And Cry”, “If You Wanna See Me Cry” and “Darling I Love You” deliver on the threats. I never really expected they’d do otherwise…

The Jukebox Rebel
18–Jul–2008

Tracklist
A1 [02:50] 5.2.png The Dave Clark Five - If Somebody Loves You (Dave Clark, Mike Smith) Cerebral Pop
A2 [03:12] 6.6.png The Dave Clark Five - It Ain’t What You Do (Dave Clark, Lenny Davidson) Cerebral Pop
A3 [02:43] 5.1.png The Dave Clark Five - Live In The Sky (Dave Clark, Mike Smith) Pop
A4 [02:50] 6.4.png The Dave Clark Five - Five By Five (Dave Clark, Mike Smith) Blues Rock / Soul Rock
A5 [02:48] 4.0.png The Dave Clark Five - Here Comes Summer (Jerry Keller) Pop
A6 [03:18] 8.3.png The Dave Clark Five - How Do You Get To Heaven (Dave Clark, Mike Smith) Cerebral Pop
A7 [03:18] 6.4.png The Dave Clark Five - Everybody Get Together (Chester Powers) Soul
B1 [02:27] 4.0.png The Dave Clark Five - Julia (Dave Clark, Lenny Davidson) Soul Ballad
B2 [03:04] 3.7.png The Dave Clark Five - Break Down And Cry (Dave Clark, Mike Smith) Pop Ballad
B3 [02:35] 6.7.png The Dave Clark Five - I Am On My Own (Dave Clark, Lenny Davidson) Folk Rock / Americana
B4 [02:34] 5.0.png The Dave Clark Five - Red And Blue (Dave Clark, Lenny Davidson) Folk Rock / Americana
B5 [02:43] 3.0.png The Dave Clark Five - If You Wanna See Me Cry (Dave Clark, Mike Smith) Pop Ballad
B6 [02:24] 3.3.png The Dave Clark Five - Worried Times (Dave Clark, Mike Smith) Soft Rock / A.O.R.
B7 [02:32] 2.4.png The Dave Clark Five - Darling I Love You (Dave Clark, Mike Smith) Soul Ballad
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