On a recent episode of the Word In Your Ear Podcast, the hosts debated the fact that modern rock bands could play their instruments better than their counterparts from the past.
Not to disagree with eminent journalists like David Hepworth and Mark Ellen, but no one told that to Mr. Big.
Surely there’s never been a rock band with as much skill and musicianship as Messrs Martin, Sheehan, and Gilbert. MV saw them play live back in the Spring, and although the pacing of the show was a bit odd, you couldn’t argue that when they played the songs from “Lean Into It” and more, they were excellent.
This brings us to this. “Ten” is album number 10, and it’s a kind of tribute to the late drummer Pat Torpey. He died in 2018, and Nick D’Virgilio replaced him. You name them, he drums with them (I’ve seen him in at least three bands in the last 12 months), and he’s class personified.
The band promises that this final album doesn’t sound like their others, and certainly “Good Luck Trying” is not like other hard rock. It’s got a 70s vibe, maybe Led Zep, but it doesn’t have the rhythm of rock n roll either.
“I Am You” is more conventional. Whatever goes on, though, it’s exquisitely done, with its clever use of acoustics.
There’s a haunting quality to Paul Gilbert’s guitar on “Right Outta Here,” and he’s as good as there is.
And the outright skill of all this is never better shown than on “Sunday Morning Kinda Girl,” which grooves entirely on its own terms.
“Who We Are” is a power ballad the way they used to be, and “As Good As It Gets” shines with the same class as the rest, and there’s a touch of Springsteen about it before the dirty boogie of “What Were You Thinking” shines like a diamond.
“Up On You” is as catchy as the flu, “The Frame” is classy too, and anyone who lost “the one” might get it.
Billy Sheehan’s bass is to the fore on the bonus track “8 Days On The Road,” and he sings it too, and that brings the curtain down. On the album, yes, but also probably on their career.
The tour they are on is supposed to be their last, and this album is supposedly a farewell.
Mötley Crüe are merely the latest in a long line of bands to make comebacks they said they wouldn’t, and who knows what will happen in the future?
We can be certain, though, and say that “Ten” adds to an already fine legacy.
Rating: 8.5/10
