Mr. Big - Ten
(Frontiers Music S.R.L – 2024)
(Style: Rock)
You have to hand it to Mr Big they know how to write some explosive catchy songs. From the opener ‘Good Luck Trying’ the bass lines of Sheehan propel this forward. ‘Get Outta Here’ has Moroccan / Kashmir elements giving it a different feel. ‘Sunday Morning Kinda Girl’ has a punchy style which reminds me of The Kinks, Eric Martins vocals are great and the chorus is infectious.
Five songs in the pace drops for ‘Who We Are’ which deals with the struggles of life and love, the moments that make us who we are as we stumble and fall, it features a tasty solo from Paul Gilbert. This album simply grows and gets better and better with each listen, it is not just big, it is huge! ‘Courageous’ is introduced by the new drummer, it hits a groove and runs with it, mid-tempo in construction it draws the listener in and features more fretboard finesse.
New Drummer, Edu Cominato is a perfect fit using his sticks with feel and aplomb. I mention the album gets better; this is highlighted by the superb ballad ‘The Frame’ the lyrical content is simply mind-blowing sending shivers up the spine. It is acoustic and just touches the core of those who have lost it all in love and life.
My version has a bonus track in the shape of ‘8 Days On The Road’ which sees Sheehan take centre stage, it is a loose funky blues work out which sees Gilbert fire off some tasty riffs that complement the bass runs. My guess is it was a kind of studio jam that just got made up on the spot.
This foursome is awesome and have collectively delivered and album that highlights the talents within. I just hope Billy never has to go back to driving his exploding Ford Pinto, with its space saver tyre! (A story he told me in a recent interview.)
By Paul Mace