Outside the Pigeon Holes

I've been following Michael Sweet/Stryper since the early 1980s. So, there's a bit of a bias here, but I love them for a reason. They produce consistently solid music. Whenever someone sets out on a solo career from an established group, it's risky, and there are those who - separate from their core band - cannot make the same kind of 'magic'. Michael Sweet is not one of those artists. His solo efforts have all surpassed my expectations. He stands as powerfully alone as he does with Stryper - if not more so. He has the musical talent, the guitar prowess, and a set of golden pipes which infuse his albums with energy and soul. His production work is precise and tight. Rarely have I found a song worth skipping on any of Michael Sweet's albums (that says a lot. I'm a picky listener). TEN is no exception, it is his heaviest solo offering yet, harder than his previous ONE-SIDED WAR. Sweet also features a number of guest artists  on many of the tracks who add a