By STEVE MASCORD
WHAT is the template for releasing a new album when you’re about to retire?
Mr Big have put out some masterful stuff this century but with drummer Pat Torpey having died in 2017 and the current farewell tour wending its way around the globe, Ten was always going to be a difficult proposition.
At their best, you didn’t notice Mr Big were all virtuoso musicians because their songs were so damn good. At times, this presumably final offering draws undue attention to the fact they are virtuoso musicians, starting with opener “Good Luck Trying”. There’s a modicum of showing off.
“I Am You” is a mid-tempo rocker you might expect to hear on an Eric Martin solo album. “Right Out Of Here” has some middle eastern, Zeppelin vibe but is not particularly memorable.
For this reviewer, “Sunday Morning Kinda Girl” is the best song on the record – crunchy and catchy. “Who We Are” is a romantic mid-tempo rocker you’ll probably like but not come back to. “As Good As It Gets” just ambles along without doing much … a latter day Bon Jovi song.
“What Were You Thinking” is just a disposable fifties rocker that sounds like it was dreamed up for rehearsal. “Courageous” is forceful and infectious to an extent, but it goes absolutely nowhere you don’t expect it to go.
“Up On You” is probably the second- or third-best ditty here, a playful rock song played brilliantly – as you would expect. It was one of the two lead-in singles and as such has plenty of plays on streaming services. It deserves them.
“The Frame” is a self-examining semi-acoustic song which is also somewhat engaging but which also sounds like an Eric Martin solo track. The bonus track is a Foghat cover.
All up, disappointing.
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