Album Review: Mr. Big "Ten"

Mr. Big released its tenth record – aptly titled Ten, with cover art depicting two hands holding up five fingers each – on July 12. The veteran Los-Angeles-based quartet of vocalist Eric Martin, guitar maestro Paul Gilbert, bassist extraordinaire Billy Sheehan, and current drummer Nick D’Virgilio known for its blend of anthemic, melodic, and technical melodic hard rock dubbed it their “final” record, which the band produced with Jay Ruston. Ten is the purported last chapter in a prolific career during which Mr. Big released several notable albums, including the self-titled 1988 debut and outstanding 1991 sophomore effort Lean Into It.

Ten is the band’s first release since 2017’s Defying Gravity and only its fifth this century. Martin commented the “new album doesn’t copy anything from the nine previous studio records” and is “raw, unadulterated riff rock and blues with all the Mr. Big ‘trimmings’.”

Martin and Sheehan performed on every Mr. Big release, and Gilbert was the band's axe man for eight of the band's ten records (he departed the band in the late-1990's and was replaced by Richie Kotzen on 1999's Get Over It and 2001's Actual Size. D’Virgilio recently joined the band after the tragic passing of its original and long-time drummer Pat Torpey.

Gilbert and Sheehan have been involved with numerous hard rock projects during their prodigious careers. Gilbert was the mastermind of Racer X, in which he showcased his creative six-string techniques, often to the amazement of hard rock and metal aficionados. Sheehan burst onto the hard rock scene as a member of The David Lee Roth Band prior to the formation of Mr. Big, and has been a member of The Winery Dogs hard rock supergroup with Kotzen and Mike Portnoy for many years. No matter how many projects Gilbert and Sheehan have been involved with, they remained committed to Mr. Big during nearly four decades together and continued to release new material.

The “final” Mr. Big release opens with the rocking 'Good Luck Trying', which has a Led Zeppelin-esque groove and melodic chorus Mr. Big became renown for. 'I Am You' is driven by Martin’s melodic vocals with the talented lead guitar and rhythm sections taking a “back seat.” 'Right Outta Here' has a middle eastern-tinged intro guitar lead courtesy of Gilbert that bears similarities to the opening of Iron Maiden’s 'The Writing on the Wall' and Led Zeppelin Houses of the Holy material, capped by one of Gilbert’s more dramatic solos. 'Sunday Morning Kinda Girl' is a straight-forward and upbeat track, with Martin once again at the forefront.

'Who We Are' is the album’s first ballad, with Martin singing that "everyone stumbles and falls" and people "come and go" but we "carry on" and endure, a testament to one's resilience. Martin passionately assures the listener everyone will "make it through the dark somehow" because that's "who we are." Martin delivers similar messaging throughout the album.

'As Good as It Gets' resembles 1980’s Rush and showcases Gilbert’s acumen and creativity, specifically his customary fretboard tapping. 'What Were You Thinking' is a fast-paced number that includes arguably Gilbert’s finest solo on the record.

'Courageous' speaks to expanding one’s boundaries and independence, encouraging the listener to “break out” of his or her “shell.” The lyrics are a reflection of Gilbert’s sentiments regarding the record, many of which he stated were “about being overwhelmed with life, and realizing that you won’t win many of the battles, but still fighting to the end.”

'Up on You' is a brash anthem that opens with D’Virgilio’s mid-tempo drumming; the song harkens back to the early-Mr. Big material from Lean on It. The album’s tenth and final track is the ballad 'The Frame', a beautiful closer culminating in Martin lamenting “I don’t even fit in the frame.”

'Days on the Road' is a “bonus” eleventh track available on the European version of Ten. Although it runs counter to the Ten theme of ten tracks on Mr. Big's tenth LP, the bluesy rocker is a worthy inclusion because it features Sheehan more than any other song on the album.

Mr. Big is in the midst of its “farewell” world tour, having completed the North America portion of the tour this spring and currently performing live across Europe. Although the band’s setlist focused heavily on Lean Into It due to its commercial success and popularity, Mr. Big will presumably debut Ten tracks during the European leg now that the album is available for public consumption.

Rating: 7/10

Track List

1. Good Luck Trying
2. I Am You
3. Right Outta Here
4. Sunday Morning Kinda Girl
5. Who We Are
6. As Good As It Gets
7. What Were You Thinking
8. Courageous
9. Up On You
10. The Frame
11. 8 Days On The Road (Bonus Track)