Mr. Big – Ten

Reviewed by: Marsworth

Review Score: 5.5

Finally, we’re gifted with yet another album from Mr. Big! Hitting shelves everywhere on July 12, 2024 Ten will be available via Frontiers Music SRL. These 11 original tracks pay homage to their late great drummer, Pat Torpey, as this will be the first record not featuring him behind the drums. Instead we see Nick D’Virgilio whackin’ the skins in his place and doing a damned good job of it. The man definitely has what it takes to fill such big shoes (no pun intended) as he’s worked with Tears for Fears and even replaced Genesis drummer Phil Collins. With nearly 4 decades in the music industry under their belts, they’re able to show that they still have what it takes even after going through several traumatic events within the band. “Good Luck Trying” is the first single dropped for the forthcoming album and it’s a perfect representation of what’s to come and leaves us wishing they’d continue to tour.

This album holds riffs and melodies digging deep into their early influences and makes it a point to create something Mr. Big fans have never heard before in their previous records. Honestly, there’s a country kind of twang to the songs and I’m not sure how to feel about that. The hand crafted tongue in cheek lyrics are, “…about being overwhelmed with life, and realizing that you won’t win many of the battles…” claims guitarist Paul Gilbert. While we have guitars on the mind, we should mention that the guitars are lacking the spice I’ve been yearning for. I’m used to outstanding Gilbert riffs that’ll leave me breathless, but this just isn’t anything to write home about. However, we do have a kickass bonus track, ‘8 Days On The Road’ sung by Gilbert which, if I’m honest, saves this album for me! Outside of the music, we have the album cover which apparently was the most difficult part of the entire process! One of the potential ideas was to have Gilbert draw the members, as he’s done for some of the merchandise as well as his personal guitar picks, but for some reason that was overthrown and the geographical hands made the cut. Their album covers have never really made much sense to me but were always something I could remember which I guess is kind of the point. Some fans may say, ‘What Were You Thinking’ when the soulful country melodies blast from the speakers, but Martin’s voice was crafted for this kind of music from his early days in The Eric Martin Band.

Mr. Big is:
Eric Martin- Lead vocals, acoustic guitar
Billy Sheehan- Bass, harmonica, backing vocals
Paul Gilbert- Guitars, backing vocals
Nick D’Virgilio- Drums, backing vocals

While winding down their touring, the final date in the United States will be June 6 in Buffalo, New York and the final European date will be August 26 in Bistrița, Romania. You’d think after all these years that they’d tire of one another, but while on a radio program ‘Wired In The Empire’ Martin says, “It’s been a bro love fest… Everybody loves each other. We’re going out on top,” which is so heartwarming to hear knowing the history of the group. Whilst planning on slowing and eventually stopping the Mr. Big touring process, the band has said that perhaps solo touring is possible; however, touring under the band name is no more. Maybe it’s for the best that the band doesn’t tour this album as nearly all of the songs sound very similar. Nothing stands out. Metallica said it best, Sad But True! Loyal Mr. Big listeners understand and will continue to enjoy what we can get for the time being.

Ten Track List:

Good Luck Trying
I Am You
Right Outta Here
Sunday Morning Kinda Girl
Who We Are
As Good As It Gets
What Were You Thinking
Courageous
Up On You
The Frame
8 Days On The Road (bonus track in Europe)