Search - Ten :: Essential Collection

A masterpiece that makes a difference

Nicky Brown | Copenhagen, Denmark | 10/31/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It beats me that this masterpiece of an album hasn't gone platinum. Currently, hardly anyone seems to have noticed that there's a musical gem here to be discovered. So, guys, here goes:



Ten is a British progressive rock group that got together in 1995, and they have been recording great songs all through the years. The Essential Collection 1995 - 2005 marks their 10-year anniversary, and it's a fine collection of some of their greatest songs. What's special here is that all songs in this collection have been recorded anew and have a modern heavy drive, a clear production, and more mature singing and musicianship.



The genius behind Ten is Gary Hughes, and he composes, writes the lyrics, sings and does the programming and production. Around 2004 Chris Francis took over the lead guitar in Ten, and he added a lot of excitement and depth to the music. All members are topnotch musicians.



Gary gives his all in his singing, and his voice creeps in under your skin and keeps moving around there. But not that Ten is Gary Hughes with backing: He's given the other guys lots of freedom, and the music is unrelentingly hard-driving.



But this album should appeal to far more than heavy rock fans. There's so much melody and atmosphere too.



It's true, as has been mentioned by another reviewer, that there is some annoying hissing in the production, particularly in some of the ballads, but the music is so intense that you forget it quickly. Else the production is excellent.



Gary & Co. have created a masterpiece here that has everything that rock fans love, a slow grower that we'll be enjoying again and again.



Let's take a look at a few of my faves: Through The Fire is where Gary's voice burns through most intensely, a breathtaking love song, charged with emotion.



Yesterday Lies In The Flames is another beautiful love song with an unusual song line that builds up and a heavy edge.



The Name Of The Rose is a full-scale heavy rocker with everything you can ask for: melody, harmony, intriguing lyrics, terrific guitar runs, and more.



Apparition has an amazing buildup, starting out with Gregorian chant, segueing into a music line with spacious 12-string broken chords and a ghostlike synth sailing above it (the apparition), breaking loose into a heavy rhythm with a crazy guitar wailing, and then Gary's edgy singing. Wow, I say.



Just to give you some impressions.



So, if the message hasn't come across, I'll just add that this is an album that will make a difference in your life.



Nicky Brown.

"