The name of MR. BIG deserves no endless sets of words: they’re a quartet from USA that became a massive success with the songs “To Be with You”, “Just Take My Heart” and “Green-Tinted Sixties Mind” from their second album, “Lean Into It” (strangely their first album, “Mr. Big”, was almost ignored). But as “Lean Into It” was released on March, 1991, it was almost at the end of the golden age of Glam Metal subgenres on USA. But the band kept rolling, releasing albums and be (unfairly) labeled as ‘one hit wonder’ by the great press (again: it’s a case of hearing more of their works, not to look for the charts). And even after the loss of their original drummer on 2018 (Pat Torpey, who passed away due complications of Parkinson’s disease) and the idea of retiring, here they are with “Ten”, their new album.

To call them Glam Metal, Hard Rock, Arena Rock or any other label isn’t a fair thing, because the quartet uses different influences on their mix, so the best way is too simple hear their work and enjoy. But if you need reference, just call them as Rock ‘n’ Roll, because the solid and accessible music filled with influences from Rock ‘n’ Roll (“Sunday Morning Kinda Girl”), 70s North American Hard Rock (“Good Luck Trying”), Country Rock (on the power ballad “Who We Are”), AOR and many other genres, but always with a consensual outfit, a solid instrumental armor (what would you expect of virtuous players as Paul, Billy and Nick?) with charming vocals (Eric is excellent, even after all these years). It’s obvious that for those ‘hit seekers’ the album wouldn’t have appeal, but for the band’s fans and Rock ‘n’ Roll fans, “Ten” is an amazing release. For those that understands their music, it’s not something astonishing to know that “Ten” was entirety recorded live in the studio and on the tour bus. It bears their music a live feeling and spontaneous appeal that is usual for the band, but obviously that things were mixed and mastered in the best way possible, so it means that all worked perfectly.

“Good Luck Trying” (a perfect mix between Hard Rock influences from the 60s and 70s with a modern outfit, and what great chorus and vocals), “I Am You” (the 80s feeling here is excellent, with elegant melodies and excellent rhythmic parts from bass guitar and drums), “Right Outta Here” (with some different arrangements on the guitars, something that is usual for the band, and what lovely catchy melodies), “Sunday Morning Kinda Girl” (such dirty Hard Rock appeal sharpened by the band’s natural melodic insight is wonderful), “Who We Are” (a lovely power ballad, indeed), “As Good as It Gets” (an elegant and accessible Hard Rock song with some charming bass guitar ‘shreds’ and an AOR feeling),… Oh, come on! “What Were You Thinking”, “Courageous”, “Up on You” and “The Frame” are excellent as well, and the bonus track for Europe, “Days on the Road”. After listening to “Ten”, to call them ‘one hit wonder’ is offensive, but if some insist, ‘one hit wonder’ are my two balls, that’s all!

“Ten” is a MR. BIG release, and that means a lot. And I hope that, besides the sadness for Pat’s passing, they can carry on.