They started about 35 years ago and this new album from the Americans 'Mr Big' is likely to be their last because, after the death of their drummer 'Pat Torpey' in 2018, they decided to stop the adventure and this 'Ten' certainly marks the end of the adventure after a roller-coaster ride: a first period with the release of 'Lean Into It' in 1991 which was the trigger for their notoriety (The thirtieth anniversary edition was released in 2021). After 6 albums, they split up in 2001 to come back in 2010 with 'What If...' and this latest baby from the Americans is the fourth of this second period. In homage to 'Pat Torpey', they called upon the well-known 'Nick D'Virgilio' who officiates in many progressive projects (among others 'Big Big Train', 'Steve Hackett', 'Neal Morse' and 'D'Virgilio, Morse & Jennings').
After a first listen, we say to ourselves that it would be a shame to stop there, because they have done everything to offer us good hard rock that gives an irresistible urge to move and the start 'Good Luck Trying' is a good example: a more rock'n'roll sound still tinged with a muscular blues (see the video above). In this same style, 'Sunday Morning Kinda Girl' shows a well-paced face, the up tempo 'What Were You Thinking' flirts with energetic rockabilly and we can't miss the single 'Up On You' which rocks well with its 'AC/DC' riffs (see the video here). In a more pop style, 'I Am You' with its catchy chorus, 'As Good As It Gets' which flirts with the melodies of 'Bruce Springsteen' and the mid-tempo 'Courageous' which starts the headbanging machine, also do the job, and we are even treated to a 'Right Outta Here' with very original oriental instrumental parts. And when the lights dim, 'Who We Are' and 'The Frame' come to soften the whole thing in a very nice way and the album ends with the bonus track '8 Days On The Road', in very good blues/rock with a magnificent guitar solo from Mr 'Paul Gilbert' (let's remember that he also has a solo career and that he released in 2023 'The Dio Album' which is a tribute to 'Ronnie James Dio').
In summary, the Americans of 'Mr Big' have given us a remarkable album that should be the last, but, you never know, reading the various positive reviews of 'Ten', gentlemen, wouldn't you like to do it again in the future, just for fun and to offer us the good hard rock that you have been doing for over thirty years? | |
