Mike & Mechanics

What a contrast from the rough-around-the-edges vocal rock of Mike Rutherford’s 1982 solo album, Acting Very Strange!The Genesis guitarist/bassist goes from acting very strange to acting very slick, giving his regular band a run for its money in terms of both quality and commercial success.The first thing he does right is stick to his four- and six-strings and keyboards and relegate the singing to Paul Carrack and Paul Young.Also, his songwriting is markedly improved, with searching lyrics and lush arrangements and sounds that combine Genesis, The Police, and other pop-synth sounds of the 1980s, resulting in a timeless new age rock sheen.The obvious hit here is “All I Need Is a Miracle,” which was all over radio and MTV. However, the real standouts are the cinematic tour-de-forces “Silent Running,” “You Are the One,” "A Call to Arms," and “Taken In,” the latter two of which presage Mike + The Mechanics’ 1988 hit title track, “The Living Years.”This was the beginning of a long and successful second musical life for Rutherford, who continues to perform with The Mechanics.

The first, and one of the best, "Mike & the Mechanics" from start to finish is a masterpiece worth the attention. I couldn't put it down once I started listening to it, every song on here is a hit! Here's my overview of the album:Silent Running- New wave sound, Carrack's vocals are perfect for this track. Lyrics about secret revolution. Best song on the album.All I Need is a Miracle- Remember this song? The upbeat melody and catchy lyrics? It's all here! Paul Young was the best choice to sing this one!Par Avion- Soft love song, calm and sweet. I don't know who is singing this one, but the vocals are just beautiful.Hanging by a Thread- Rocker song added in some electronic sound along with Young's powerful vocals. Lyrics about a bad dream dealing with execution.I Get the Feeling- A good-feeling song with upbeat melodies. Not my personal favorite.Take the Reins- Another upbeat rocker featuring Young once again, it kinda gets old fast, but that's just my take.You are the One- That voice again! Who is it? Simple keyboard is all that plays on this track, a simple little love song.A Call to Arms- Yes, this is a winner. Another new wave inspired song with a hint of rock topped off with Carrack's unforgettable voice. The lyrics deal with calling people to take up arms and fight the enemy. This one you can't pass up.Taken In- Now this is truly one of my favorites. Upbeat tempo slow-rock song featuring Young's vocals. Sexy saxophone in this song makes it one of the best! It adds to the final touch, good ending song!The only flaw with this album is that it only has 9 tracks and I wished there could've been more. With that said, I recommend this album if you enjoy Genesis, Mike Rutherford's work, love the sound of the 80's, or you want to relive the good old days. This album is one the best!

Surprisingly the popular British group, Genesis, disbanded and they all went on their individual ways. The most famous member is Phil Collins but there is Peter Gabriel and Mike Rutherford who formed his own group, Mike and the Mechanics. This compilation is the first record of the group I believe. Their songs have a soothing, calm, inspirational effect on me while I listen driving my car. I used to listen to this tape of the same album at work. There were only about 9 or 10 songs on albums as well as tapes. Now, there is double of it. Listening to it entirely this morning, I enjoyed every song with it's unique sound and blend of style. I felt like this music is poetry with lyrics and an eighties sound that I truly feel has gone away. Music in the eighties weren't just about MTV and videos but about messages about love, relationships, individuality, politics, social issues, etc. They don't make that kind of music anymore for the upcoming generation and it's a shame. During the eighties, I listened and watched all kinds of videos by different artists. I miss that world of MTV where music and videos ruled the airwaves. Listening to Mike and the Mechanics, I am nostalgic for those days of youth long past behind me.

Brilliant--one of the best of its type and era. Original songwriting, dominant singer, polished musicianship. Creative arrangements, excellent "tunes", restrained but tasty instrumental work, in song after song. The tracks are anything but repetitious, and each one could be a lesser group's masterpiece. These are the kind of songs that get into your brain and may even begin to annoy with their persistence...Other reviewers who do not acknowledge the musical genius displayed on this album have some philosophical/emotional prejudice against this type of music. Maybe they can't get the songs out their heads and they are annoyed. You might put this disk in the same category as Foreigner's stuff...but this has a harder edge, and displays much better musical talent.You will hear these songs played on "soft rock", "adult contemporary", w/ organ, guitar, synth horns and strings etc. But the truth is, it's just great music. Most listeners will recognize many of the songs here, and be surprised that MatM are the ones who did it."Silent Running" was probably overplayed on radio in the mid-80s. But its mysterious, futuristic theme is still fascinating, and very "hummable"."All I need is a Miracle" has a novel chord structure and a grabbing melody--especially in the chorus."Hanging by a thread" has a driving beat and aggressive vocals, with a haunting refrain."I get the Feeling" is perhaps the least memorable song but it is tolerable--heavy on synthed organ voices."A Call to Arms" and "Taken In" are top numbers. Very original works.This is not a lightweight album, but it is much more accessible than some of Mike Rutherford's work with Genesis...which was also suberb. But this music is supremely likeable. You will listen to it many more times than some of your other "heavy" or "artsy" stuff.

Un clásico de los 80's, suena muy bien a pesar de ser originalmente grabada de forma análoga .El articulo es idéntico al que se muestra en la pagina

A great blast from the past... Never owned this album but knew a lot of the songs on it, a great addition.

Great CD. Brings back a flood of memories. Would be better had it included the song The Living Years.

Il y a des trésors cachés dans cet album malheureusement méconnu. Silent running et Taken in qui respectivement commence et termine l'album sont de très bons titres qui resteront des inoubliables. Par avion est un excellent titre, très beau. Mon préféré allant au puissant A call to arms où on aura reconnu Genesis (à la base, le titre devait apparaître dans l'album Genesis). A call to arms mélange de manière intelligente le suspense, la peur, l'inquiétant, la tristesse ou encore la beauté... Il y a aussi quelques loupés, mais l'album est plutôt bon et ça serait dommage de passer à côté.

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