Ten - Ten
The Now & Then hype machine kicks into action once again. Gary Hughes is Now & Then's favorite son. This time he has been paired up with Vinny Burns (ex Dare) on guitar. Comparisons were made to Giant, Whitesnake and Harem Scarem. The additional hype feature is that the album is produced by Mike Stone (Journey, Foreigner etc.).
Having had my fingers burnt a couple of times in the past by the Now & Then hype machine (Shotgun Symphony and to a lesser extent Crown Of Thorns) I was wary of this album. However, a few listens to the song on the Frontiers CD suggested that perhaps there was more to Ten than the Thunder soundalikes I was expecting.
The first song on the album kicks off with a instrumental passage which starts with guitar, adds a string section, before we arrive at the main part of the song. The start of the song reminds me of the start of 'I'm A Believer' from Giant's 'Last Of The Runaways' album. The Giant comparisons are equally valid for the rest of the song.
The next batch of songs are rather good, but there a no obvious comparisons. Then we arrive at a trio of songs which are surprising poppy and all rather excellent. 'Close Your Eyes And Dream' is vaguely reminiscent of a rockier version of Deacon Blue. 'Eyes Of A Child' is the poppiest song on the album. 'Can't Slow Down' is slightly more uptempo and 80s AOR sounding
'Lamb To The Slaughter' is the heaviest song on the album and the most obvious reference point is latter day Whitesnake. The last song is a 10 minute epic ballad called 'The Loneliest Place In The World'. This one reminds me of pomp rockers turned AORsters Magnum. As is the case with one of the earlier songs ('Stay With Me'), this song is saved by an acoustic guitar being used to good effect in the middle of the song.
I have to admit to being pleasantly surprised by this album. For some reason I was expecting something heavier. Some of the songs ('Close Your Eyes And Dream' and 'Eyes Of A Child') have real hit potential if they were marketed properly. I have this idea that if the guitars were turned down, then a 'band' such as That Take/Boyzone could have a number one hit with these songs (in the UK charts). Unfortunately, I think it's a safe bet to say that Ten aren't going to have a hit with either of these songs.
Megastars or yet another second division UK rock band ? Another album would be needed before I could decide, and if the rumors are true we might not have to wait that long.
Rating : 8
