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This is the latest offering by a band who seem to have been around for an
eon even though in truth they haven't been around all that many years.
They've just come a very long way in a very short space of time due to
hard work and total dedication.
Is there no end to the amount of songs Gary Hughes seems able to churn
out? Perhaps churn is the wrong word to use here because it infers the
songs are not of a high standard. One thing no one could ever deny is that
every single song that Gary Hughes has written for either Ten or anyone
else, has always been top notch stuff. While even the greatest of
songwriters at times struggles to find the inspiration for the songs they
pen, this is something that Gary Hughes appears to not suffer from.
This album is bound to be a big hit with all the Ten fans out there as it
goes back to the roots of what Ten is all about. Good hard melodic rock
with musicians that are so well versed in how things are to sound they
produce yet another top quality album which is jammed packed with powerful
songs that are able to stand strong on their own. The whole album is
simply bursting with energy and vibrancy. No doubt it will receive a great
many rave reviews from around the globe and most likely more than one
award of some description, and rightly so. A lot of hard work and
determination has gone into this album and it has once more paid off.
Whether you're a die-hard fan of Ten or not, there's no denying this album
is extremely easy to listen to. The songs are well constructed and the
band have gone to great pains to make sure that the pace isn't rushed and
every word is savoured fully before devoured whole. 'What about Me' is a
typical example of this. Where most bands would rush the moment and get
the lines out as soon as they could, Mr. Hughes & Co. prefer the vintage
whiskey approach. Take a few smooth lines and let them role around your
senses. Have you got that warm, contented feeling yet? After listening to
this track you soon will.
One thing I do find worrying about this album is that at times it's hard
to remember who exactly it is I'm listening to. Ten? Bob Catley? Ten?
The two have sadly become a blur and have lost their individuality. I know
this is going to ruffle a few feathers me pointing this out but it really
has become a bit obvious that by having the same person write the songs
for both bands, and indeed more than one musician performing on the studio
albums for both bands, the differences between the two are not as clearly
defined as they should be.
Before all you Ten fans burn me at the stake for saying these things,
listen to 'Outlawed and Notorious' and then tell me I'm wrong. Even before
this track off the album I was getting the feeling of deja-vu from this
album. My feet are firmly in the Bob Catley camp because in my eyes he is
the original. He was and probably always will be the master of this type
of melodic pomp rock. The songs about splendour and glory are what Bob's
been doing since Adam was a lad.
Now don't get me wrong here, I think Gary Hughes is an extremely talented
writer and singer but quite whether the similarities are purely by
accident, or whether he has some devious plans to try and take over where
Bob Catley and Magnum left off I'm not entirely sure.
Guys the album sounds great. The songs are a brilliant example of what you
do, and that you do it all so very well. I have to admit to loving your
song 'Last of the Lovers' to bits. This is the sort of song I really enjoy
hearing. 'Who do you want to Love' is another little sweetheart you've
included in this rich collection.
You're going to sell bucket loads of copies of this album and everyone's
going to turn up in droves to your tours. But if you're not careful you're
all going to have to wear t-shirts with the bands name on so people
remember which band it is they are listening to. OK, so that might be a
bit brutal, but in my humble opinion it's true and it had to be said.
Shortly after this album was released Vinnie Burns decided to part company
with the band and go off and do something else. Quite what the full
reasons behind his leaving were we'll probably never be party to. Who
knows how he felt about the way the band was progressing and the
similarities between these two legendary bands. Let's hope whatever path
destiny has carved out for him he stays around for a good many years. Not
only is he an extremely a talented guitarist in his own right, but he is
also a much loved one too. We wish him every success in his future
projects.
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