By Wes Haskins
Continuing my way through the Y&T catalog with “Ten”, which was the bands ninth studio album but their tenth official release overall(including the Open Fire EP). Produced by Mike Stone(Queen, Foreigner, Asia, Whitesnake, and Journey among others) and following a similar path to Contagious with a big melodic hard rock sound. This was the first album with new rhythm guitarist Stef Burns who replaced Joey Alves. This was also the second album with drummer Jimmy DeGrasso although many of his drum tracks were replaced by former Journey drummer Steve Smith. Mostly written by the band with several co-writes with drummer DeGrasso and some with one with guitarist Stef Burns and a couple songs with outside writers including Taylor Rhodes, Robert White Johnson, Al Pitreli, and Jeff Paris. The album peaked at #110 in the US.
“Hard Times” – Opens with a cool riff and then the drums hit and the song gets heavier. A nice melody and chorus. This was part of a huge batch of songs the bands demoed post Contagious in 87 to 89 with many of those turning up on the Unearthed albums. A really great song for me. Lyrically they seem to be talking about someone leaving the music world with the line “goodbye goodbye rock n roller” and could also be about someone that died. It also mentions “she” in the second verse so could be about saying good bye to a relationship or just nothing particularly and just about anyone going through Hard Times hoping it gets better. Also mentions broken dreams so could be about the band contemplating the end of the road.
“Lucy” – Good almost sleazy rock n roller song that’s fun. Written solely by Kennemore the lyrics definitely have a sleazy and dirty vibe talking about the type of girl that everyone is talking about but maybe she doesn’t have the best reputation.
“Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark” – The single and best known song on the album. Co-written by Taylor Rhodes and Robert White Johnson, it’s a masterclass in melodic rock with a huge catchy chorus and should have been a massive hit. About dropping defenses and the guards we put up and two people being vulnerable with each other.
“Girl Crazy” – Fun hard rock with a cool riff and very straight forward. About his love of beautiful women and seeing them everywhere especially in the summertime.
“City” – Acoustic and bluesy opening with Dave’s singing before kicking in to a kick butt rock song. Lyrics seem to be about the partying and craziness of life on the road for a touring musician and the need to get back home.
“Come in from the Rain” – A great powerful ballad. At six minutes a little long but love the melodic parts and then the drumming is a little heavier and that guitar solo is spectacular. Another should have could have hit single type song but didn’t even get a single release or video. About a broken hearted person living in depression all alone and finding a way to return from that feeling of hopelessness.
“Red Hot & Ready” – Co-written by Jeff Paris this is a good solid rocker with a good chorus. About his attraction to a woman and the hope that it goes further than just being attracted to each other.
“She’s Gone” – Opens with Cowbell and great drumming and groove. A solid chorus and a very underrated tune and more melodic. Good solo. One of the more underrated songs for me. About the aftermath of a bad breakup and him being hurt and having trouble moving on.
“Let It Out” – Melodic hard rock with a good chorus. Written by Jeff Paris and Moon Calhoun. Another very underrated song on the album. About giving in to desires and giving oneself to a partner or to put it simpler it’s about sex.
“Ten Lovers” – An Acoustic based but still rockin song. Very long at six minutes but some great parts. Slower intro with mostly Dave’s vocals and acoustic guitars before kicking it with the rhythm section. One of those songs I kind of forget about and then I hear and remember how good it is. The second song credited to only one writer with Bassist Phil Kennemore being the sole writer. About him being in love with a woman that’s dismissive and won’t commit and he’s become obsessive and says that having ten lovers wouldn’t make him act like she makes him act.
“Goin Off the Deep End” – Fast paced and upbeat from the first note. A nice heavy change of pace from the previous almost acoustic based song and the next more melodic style track. About living on the edge and living life to the fullest hoping not to burn out.
“Surrender” – Huge melodic hard rocker that should have been a single and could have been a hit. Love the intro solos and drums and gives it a slightly different feel for a melodic rock song before the verses start. He’s confessing his love for someone unsure if they feel the same way.
Recap: A fantastic album for me that again was perfect for the end of the 80s and 1990 just before grunge hit, but sadly just like the Contagious album, failed to make much of a dent on the charts or on radio. I go back and forth which album I prefer between this and Contagious but this one is slightly longer at twelve tracks but every song is really good to great.
Favorite songs: Hard Times, Lucy, Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark, City, Come In From The Rain, Ten Lovers, Surrender, and Goin Off The Deep End. I could list every song.