The first Mr. Big album showed that the band members were each virtuosos on their individual instruments. "More chops than a butcher block" as singer Eric Martin described it. But their second album, "Lean Into It", showed that Mr. Big could also strip away all the flash and 7-minute solos, and simply create well-written songs with rhythm, groove, and good melodies. By the late 80s, "shred" was somewhat popular -- the new wave of progressive "musician's bands" who could play mind-blowing complicated riffs on their instruments at lightning speeds. Mr. Big was in that same category that would include musicians like Steve Vai, Nitro, Blues Saraceno, Yngwie Malmsteen, Joe Satriani, and Dream Theatre. On top of that, members Billy Sheehan (ex-David Lee Roth, Talas) and Paul Gilbert (ex-Racer X) already had that reputation before forming Mr. Big. However, with this album Mr. Big proved they were truly a BAND, not just 4 individual musicians waiting for their turn to solo. This crucially set them apart from the many short-lived groups of virtuoso musicians thrown together. "Lean Into It" certainly has its share of dazzling playing in the solos and certain intros, but over all it's a CD that non-musicians are going to like too. "Alive and Kicking" and "Never Say Never" are great hard rock songs with a strong 4/4 grooving beat. "Little Too Loose" and "Voodoo Kiss" are great heavy, bluesy songs, one up beat and the other really laid back. "Road to Ruin" and "Green-Tinted Sixties Mind" have incredible singing harmonies by the band. And of course there is the #1 hit, "To Be With You", with its great vocals and a guitar solo that's flawless in every way. Mr. Big followed up with more albums of damn fine song writing, but this was the real big turning point in their writing direction. They're one of the few bands to master both technical playing and "song" playing, and it's a shame that most people aren't familiar with them beyond one song.