After the rejuvenated excitement of 10 Out of 10, Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman pulled in studio heavyweights like Steve Gadd and recorded this ambitious, but ultimately lukewarm album in 1983. All of the usual 10cc trademarks were in place: great melodies, heartbreaking harmonies, and inventive arrangements are in great abundance here. Unfortunately, the 10cc sense of humor is sorely lacking in this jungle, which casts a gray cloud over the whole album. Eric Stewart, one of rock's most sincere vocalists, sounds bored with the material, although he certainly does give it his best shot. There are some fabulous songs here, including the singles "Feel the Love" and "24 Hours," the finger-pointing "American Panorama," and the dramatic "Taxi Taxi," but with only eight songs to choose from, there's less margin for error. Not that there are any real errors here, but half the album sounds uninspired. To think that this was their 'swan song' until their reunion album nearly a decade later makes perfect sense. Perhaps they had run out steam, and couldn't take the band any further? And where is Graham Gouldman on this album? He's in there somewhere, handling various instruments and backing vocals, but surprisingly, does not handle any significant lead vocals on the album. (When one of your two vocalists does not sing lead on an album, there is some cause for concern). There are some scraps of Gouldman floating about, but not enough to satisfy the diehards. If you are an Eric Stewart fan, rejoice, because this is practically a solo album. If you are a Godley and Creme fan, then go back ten spaces because they left the band six years prior to this album! ~ Steve "Spaz" Schnee, All Music Guide
Windows in the Jungle is the ninth studio album by British pop band 10cc. It was released in October 1983 and was the last album by the band for nine years.
Eric Stewart recalled that the finished album did not meet his initial expectations: "Windows started as a concept album and I'm sorry I didn't pursue that goal, the pressure for the hit single always got in the way with 10cc albums. I longed to be like Pink Floyd and just go for large musical statements like "One Night in Paris" and "Feel the Benefit", but we were locked onto the singles roundabout, the 'quick buck', and it was impossible to break free at the time. The album was not really very successful, 10cc wise, anywhere in the rest of the world really, but in terms of sales today it was a minor hit." [1]
Two singles were released from the album, "24 Hours" in early 1983, and "Feel The Love (Oomachasaooma)", which was given a tennis-themed music video by former 10cc members Godley and Creme. Neither reached the charts. A limited edition 10" version of "24 Hours" was released, featuring live versions of "I'm Not In Love" and "Dreadlock Holiday" from the 10th Anniversary tour in 1982. A third single, released only in Holland, was "Food For Thought" coupled with the non-album "The Secret Life Of Henry". The latter became available on CD in 2006 on the Japanese limited edition version of the album.
