I find all of the various opinions regarding this album fascinating. So, I am not at all offended if someone, or everyone, disagrees with my views.
The more, the merrier.
But, responding, in particular to Ed (whose posts I always enjoy perusing),
if you really listen intently to those 1970 leads (by RC) on I Kept On Loving You,
you will discern exactly the weaknesses in his lead vocals that I perceive to be more evident on the Time album.
Also, listening to RC's "tailing off" at the end of the song This Masquerade, it is every bit as high and weak as the later Time vocals,
the difference being that Karen's vocals are not around to "save" the later songs on Time, as it were.