After perhaps a little too long in the dark Y&T have returned triumphant. The pitiful flicker of interest in 1987's Contagious, I have to admit, had me sadly fearing the worst for the band. However, Geffen kept faith and Dave Meniketti and chums have delivered with a vengeance.
"Ten"—the band's tenth album, surprisingly!!—shows them at their hardest for many years, and as vibrant and relevant as ever. The elements that made albums like Black Tiger (1982) and the much-loved Earthshaker (1981) so special are once more powering Y&T at full throttle as they hurdle their way through a myriad of powerful metal.
With so many American acts dishing out throw away bubblegum pop these days, it's a delight to hear a band like Y&T not only carrying on regardless, but doing it with so much verve and passion. From the oh so powerful opening track Hard Times (possibly a reference by Meniketti to the lean patch of the last few years) to the melodically attractive Surrender this is class metal.
Elsewhere there is much on offer. Don't Be Afraid of the Dark is a brilliant slice of melodic rock with a massive chorus, and destined to become the first single. City hints of the blues, and Lucy, Girl Crazy, and the apocalyptic Goin’ Off the Deep End are solid, basic rockers given THE treatment by Messrs. Manketti, Kennemore, De Grasso, and Burns.
In reality there's not a duff track on offer, and that is a rare thing these days. But Y&T have never traded in shoddy material. There's is the torch for quality in heavy metal, and on Ten they carry it aloft with pride. It's albums like these that really make you proud to be a fan. To Y&T I take my hat off and applaud them for producing such a fine album. To Geffen I say pull your finger out and do the right marketing job, and to you I say by this album. Now.
9.5/10
9.5/10
Jerry Ewing
Riff Raff
July 1990
Riff Raff
July 1990
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