_{It’s only been about six months since I posted a recommendation for Ten’s previous release “Albion” - http://www.rockradioni.co.uk/back-stage/music-reviews/1732-ni-rocks-recommends-qalbionq-by-ten.html . At that time work was already well progressed for the release of “Isla De Muerta” on 20th May through Rocktopia Records. Having become a bit of a convert after listening to “Albion” I was quite keen to get a listen to “Isla De Muerta” when it was sent to us by our friends at Rock ‘n’ Growl.}

_{As I’ve said before, melodic rock can be a bit hit or miss with me, but Ten seem to deliver whatever it is that I’m looking for in that genre. And they seem to do it by stealth. At a first quick play-through of the promo I like it enough to download for another listen in full to decide if I really like it, but usually by the second  play there’s no doubt how good the tracks are. It’s actually quite surprising how quickly some of the tracks become engrained in your head.}

_{The first single from the album was “Tell Me What To Do” and this has already featured on the Friday NI Rocks Show. Other particularly noteworthy tracks for me include “Acquiesce”, “This Love”, “The Dragon and Saint George”, “Intensify” and “The Last Pretender”. I’ve always been a fan of tracks that recall historical events or tell a story and “Dead Men Tell No Tales” which opens the album after a two minute instrumental intro called “Buccaneers” is a great example. I’d have to say that overall, “Isla De Muerta” surpasses the previous release “Albion”.}

_{Ten frontman Gary Hughes wrote and arranged all the tracks and produced the album. The band remains unchanged from “Albion” with three guitarists (maybe one reason why this brand of melodic  rock appeals to me) - Dann Rosingana, Steve Grocott and John Halliwell, plus Steve McKenna on bass, Darrel Treece-Birch on keyboads and Max Yates on drums.}

_{For more info check out http://www.tenofficial.com/}

_{About “NI Rocks Recommends”}

_{The simple idea behind “NI Rocks Recommends” is to acknowledge and promote some of the great music being submitted to Rock Radio NI. I'll not be giving marks or ratings or analyzing the tracks in great detail; just telling you something about the artist and the album. It’s a personal recommendation, not a traditional “review”!}

_{My musical tastes cover most things rock; from he not too melodic to the not too heavy. The albums that I’ll be recommending are merely those that I would buy myself and which you’ll be hearing played on my shows on Rock Radio NI.}

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