Ten

Ten is the tenth album on which MR. BIG once again bound their advanced skill as players and the strength of melody anyone can hum. The guitar and bass assert themselves vividly where needed, but never seize the center of the songs. The playing is built purely to make the most of the singing and hooks. It is a full record fitting for a milestone in a long career. On “Good Luck Trying,” “I Am You” and “Who We Are,” a bluesy feel, hard-rock drive and ballad delicacy coexist, and the band’s wide appeal naturally appears. Songs like “Right Outta Here” and “The Frame” breathe the band’s full playing too. It is content that reaches both those who know the history of virtuosos and those who seek plain rock songs. Even as veterans, MR. BIG’s passion for music has not dimmed in the least — a well-balanced record.