Ten Years After Albums (16)
What The Critics Say
Ten Years After without Alvin Lee is utter blasphemy in some longtime fans' eyes, but that's exactly what occurred on the 2004 release by this veteran blues-rock outfit, Now. Out went Lee, and in came replacement singer/guitarist Joe Gooch, who joins longtime members Chick Churchill (keys), Leo Lyons (bass), and Ric Lee (drums). Any fans having reservations about how well Gooch fits in will quickly have their worries erased -- the group's newest member possesses a fine voice (check the laid-back closing track, "Changes"), and can throw down boogie riffs with the best of them ("When It All Falls Down," "Time To Kill," etc.). It may even appear as though the presence of Gooch has breathed new life into the band, as Now is their most focused and strongest studio album in quite some time. As evidenced by Now, the classic Ten Years After sound and approach remains the same, although now it's a bit more refined and mature than the wilder, early records. [Note -- as of late 2005, Now is available only as an import in the U.S..] ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
There's not much happening here. By the time Positive Vibrations was released, Ten Years After had run out of gas. Leader Alvin Lee had already released two solo albums, "On the Road to Freedom" and "In Flight," and the band was simply going through the motions on this album. The band broke up following its release. ~ Jim Newsom, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Ten Years After were always rooted in the blues, and the highlights of Recorded Live, such as "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" and "Slow Blues in C," show they hadn't changed. Although the band had become predictable, this set is competent enough. ~ James Chrispell, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
A Space in Time was Ten Years After's best-selling album. This was due primarily to the strength of "I'd Love to Change the World," the band's only hit single, and one of the most ubiquitous AM and FM radio cuts of the summer of 1971. TYA's first album for Columbia, A Space in Time has more of a pop-oriented feel than any of their previous releases had. The individual cuts are shorter, and Alvin Lee displays a broader instrumental palette than before. In fact, six of the disc's ten songs are built around acoustic guitar riffs. However, there are still a couple of barn-burning jams. The leadoff track, "One of These Days," is a particularly scorching workout, featuring extended harmonica and guitar solos. After the opener, however, the album settles back into a more relaxed mood than one would have expected from Ten Years After. Many of the cuts make effective use of dynamic shifts, and the guitar solos are generally more understated than on previous outings. The production on A Space in Time is crisp and clean, a sound quite different from the denseness of its predecessors. Though not as consistent as Cricklewood Green, A Space in Time has its share of sparkling moments. ~ Jim Newsom, All Music Guide
'Rock & Roll Music to the World'
Release Date 1/1/1972
Tracks 9
Label CBS
See Album Tracklist and Review
