Tag: When It Rains (Edit)

Ten Ten – When It Rains (Europe 12″) (1986)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

For today’s Closet 80s feature, we shine a light on a band that seemed poised to break through—but ultimately remained one of the decade’s more intriguing “what ifs.” Enter Ten Ten, a Richmond, Virginia-based New Wave outfit whose debut single “When It Rains” arrived in 1986 as a fully-formed statement of mood, melody, and transatlantic ambition.

Formed in 1984, Ten Ten—Mark Lewis (guitar/vocals), Peter Bell (bass), Don Ruzek (keyboards/guitar), and Lee Johnson (drums)—quickly found themselves in an unusual position for an American band. Rather than being compared to their U.S. contemporaries, the American press consistently drew parallels between Ten Ten and British acts. That association would ultimately shape the band’s trajectory.

Leaning into those comparisons, Ten Ten signed with the UK-based Chrysalis Records and focused much of their energy overseas. It was a strategic move that made perfect sense—their sound, driven by shimmering guitars and introspective lyricism, aligned naturally with the UK’s alternative and New Wave scenes of the time.

“When It Rains”, their debut single, encapsulates that aesthetic beautifully. There’s a cool, atmospheric restraint to the track—jangly guitars ripple across a steady rhythm while subtle keyboard textures add depth and mood. Mark Lewis delivers the vocal with a detached, almost wistful tone that enhances the song’s reflective quality. It’s not flashy—it’s immersive.

The single also benefited from a music video that received airplay on MTV in the spring of 1986, giving the band a valuable platform at a time when visual exposure could make or break a new act. While it didn’t catapult them into superstardom, it certainly helped cement their place within the alternative underground of the era.

Ten Ten’s momentum carried them onto some impressive tours. In autumn 1985, they hit the road with The Waterboys, followed by tours in 1986 supporting Simply Red and later Pete Shelley. These associations further reinforced their connection to the UK scene and exposed them to audiences that were already primed for their sound.

Despite these opportunities, Ten Ten never quite achieved the commercial breakthrough their music suggested was possible. Over the course of their career, they released just two singles and two albums, leaving behind a compact but compelling catalog. By 1991, after several years of playing club shows around their hometown of Richmond, the band quietly disbanded.

Listening back to “When It Rains” today, it’s easy to hear why Ten Ten stood out. The song captures a very specific mid-80s atmosphere—thoughtful, slightly melancholic, and deeply melodic—without sounding dated or overproduced. It’s the kind of track that rewards repeat listens, revealing more of its understated charm each time.

For collectors and fans of the era, Ten Ten represents one of those bands that slipped through the cracks—not for lack of talent, but perhaps due to timing, geography, or the unpredictable nature of the music industry.

If “When It Rains” is new to you, give it a spin and let it sink in. It’s a perfect example of why digging into the Closet 80s can be so rewarding—because sometimes the most memorable songs are the ones that never quite made it into the spotlight.

SIDE A:
When It Rains (Extended Version) 5:14

SIDE B:
Walk On (Live Version) 4:09
When It Rains (Edit) 4:17

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Chrysalis – 608 429
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: Europe
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

NOTES:
Ten Ten are: Mark Lewis (guitar/vocals), Peter Bell (bass), Don Ruzek (keyboards/guitar), and Lee Johnson (drums)

Printed In Germany

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus:  Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
Audio Interface: MOTU M4
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!


Password: burningtheground

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