Rewired

Mike & The Mechanics | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 13, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rhino / Wea
• ASIN: B000AM6OXA
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #146,088 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. One Left Standing

2. If I Were You

3. Perfect Child

4. Rewired

5. I Don't Want It All

6. How Can I?

7. Falling

8. Somewhere Along the Line

9. Underscore

Editorial Reviews

Major hitmakers in the '80s and '90s, this British supergroup was originally founded as a side project by Genesis bassist/guitarist Mike Rutherford. Featuring lead vocals from Paul Carrack-of Ace, Squeeze, and solo fame-and Paul Young, formerly of Sad Cafe, the band built its stellar reputation with smashes including "All I Need Is A Miracle," "Silent Running," and "The Living Years." After Young passed away in 2001, they were inactive up until this nine-song collection, released internationally in 2004, highlighting the band's signature dramatic pop-rock and Carrack's distinctive vocals. Available for the first time in the U.S., Rewired finds Mike + the Mechanics in top form, renewed creatively as they return to the recording spotlight.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Targeting a new audience with computerized,robotic sounds, September 17, 2005

By 

Philip A.Cohen (Bay Harbor Islands, Florida United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rewired (Audio CD)

[...] As for the album,Vocalist Paul Carrack is still in fine form,as is the songwriting of Paul Carrack,Mike Rutherford and collaborator B.A. Robertson,but the album's arrangements are the problem.Clearly attempting to target a new,younger audience,we get a totally computerized,programmed,robotic dance music sound with scarcely a trace of Mike Rutherford's guitar or any actual hand-played instrumentation.Lots of synthesized burps,stutters,noises etc. do a disservice to the songs.No wonder the group's U.S.A. label balked for a year before releasing it here.The group's unreleased in America 1999 album "Mike & The Mechanics"(A.K.A. "M6") was superior.Buy it instead.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Human Interest., July 15, 2004

By 

Jason Stein (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Rewired (Audio CD)

I didn't expect Mike and the Mechanics to release another cd after co-lead vocalist Paul Young died a few years ago. So it was with curiousity that I bought the import (as I had to do with their last cd, 1999's "M6" because American audiences are too damn fickle). What I heard on "Rewired" was definitely an electronic sound, not unlike previous Mechanics cds, but also the start/stop technology that's overused in many of today's popular hip-hop songs. I felt that this cd is well played and well produced, but was it as good as the band's debut from 1985 (after all "Rewired" is the only other Mechanics cd to follow the 9 song structure of their debut), or 1988's "The Living Years" or even 1995's "Beggar On A Beach Of Gold"? Well, of the nine tracks there are two instrumentals--"Rewired" and "Underscore"--a first for a Mechanics cd and reminiscent of what Genesis used to do. I preferred "Underscore" with its wobbley synthesizer effects and methodically driven beat. Of the other seven tracks, "One Left Standing" is easily the most likely to be a hit with its pulsating beat and boingy guitar echoes. "If I Were You", "Perfect Child", "I Don't Want It All" are all great Mechanics ballads with human interest themes similar to "The Living Years", "Beggar On A Beach Of Gold", "My Little Island", etc. I found "How Can I?", "Falling" and "Somewhere Along The Line" to be album filler and indistinguishable from the rest of the cd.

But wait, there's also a dvd included that has videos for each song on the album compiled by band member Peter Van Hook. I felt this was a great idea and the selected footage for the videos worked well for the songs as a whole. I liked the videos for "One Left Standing" single version, "Perfect Child", "I Don't Want It All", "How Can I?" and "Underscore". I think more artists should give their fans this extra feature.

So, with all of these things I give this new Mechanics cd four stars because it's well played, produced and packaged, but I still felt that this isn't really the Mechanics anymore--I mean what started out as Mike Rutherford, Paul Young, Paul Carrack, Adrian Lee and Peter Van Hook is now Mike Rutherford and Paul Carrack with a sprinkle of Peter Van Hook. I liked this new cd but I didn't feel that it was the band's best work. It is definitely one of the better cds released in 2004, and I am glad I bought it as a fan. I don't believe that kids will be interested in this music, so I don't know what the other reviewers are thinking. This is definitely adult contemporary with and edge production-wise, but kids are listening to rap, hip-hop, alternative metal/grunge and bubblegum pop these days. I work with kids ages 6-12 and they are not listening to this kind of music. I wish they did though, because it's better than Eminem, 50 Cent, Jay-Z, Jessica Simpson, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Nelly, Usher and all that garbage. If your a fan of the Mechanics then certainly look into buying "Rewired".

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Exciting New Chapter For Mike & The Mechanics, June 15, 2004

By 

Alan Caylow (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Rewired (Bonus Dvd) (Audio CD)

Mike Rutherford & Paul Carrack---I salute you! Mike & The Mechanics have just released a *stunning*, *astonishing*, *magnificent* brand-new album called "Rewired." It's the first M+M album in five years, and the first M+M album since the untimely passing of singer Paul Young in 2001, with co-lead singer Paul Carrack now handling all of the vocal duties. But if you live in North America, don't bother looking for this CD at your local music stores, 'cause it's not available on this side of the pond. Thank GOD then that Amazon.com has it available as an import, because this album is worth *every single penny* of the import price. I received my copy in the mail the other day, and from the very first song, I was instantly floored. FLOORED, I tell you! The album isn't called "Rewired" for nothing---it's practically a *reinvention* of Mike Rutherford's side-project outside of Genesis since 1985, and it works magnificently. Even though Paul Young's vocal presence is greatly missed, and the Mechanics will never be quite the same without him, Mike Rutherford & Paul Carrack have nonetheless created what is quite possibly the best Mechanics album to date, and I tip my hat to both of them with the utmost respect & admiration. "Rewired" is a truly special album.What you'll discover on "Rewired," along with the Mechanics' trademark, first-rate dramatic pop-rock, are the brand-new *sounds* Rutherford has brought to the band with this album. There's elements of techno, funk, and DJ-style scratching on this album, and man, does it rock. You've NEVER heard M+M like this before. "One Left Standing" is groovy with a capital G. "If I Were You" and "Perfect Child" are both beautiful songs. And then comes one of the most daring tracks the group has EVER recorded, the title track for "Rewired." This rip-roaring instrumental is nothing short of thrilling. The creativeness behind this track, with killer guitar riffs from Rutherford, the heavy percussion, ominous piano & synths, tape loops, and the occasional vocal drop-ins from Carrack, is simply astonishing. Another pair of lovely, well-crafted pop songs follow with "I Don't Want It All," and "How Can I?". "Falling" is a fabulous song, with it's catchy grooves and it's clever mixture of techno, pop, rock, and even the occasional dash of *orchestral* soundbites, all in one amazing tune. "Somewhere Along The Line" is a sparkling, radiant number. And finally, for the ultimate encore, there's the towering "Underscore," a rough-and-tough instrumental cousin of "Rewired," with some more delicious beats, samples, guitar & keyboard riffs, and vocal cameos from Carrack. A fitting end to a total powerhouse of an album. And it certainly goes without saying that the album's sound quality & production is fantastic, the musical performances are top-notch, and Paul Carrack, who is more than up to the challenge of becoming the band's sole lead vocalist from now on, sings brilliantly.And if that wasn't enough, this edition of "Rewired" comes with a bonus DVD of music videos for every single song on the album, created by students from Britain's National Film And Television School. Alas, the DVD is in the PAL format, so chances are you won't be able to watch it if you live in North America. I tried loading it into my DVD player anyway to see what would happen, and all I got was a rolling picture and no sound (*sniff sniff*). So yes, I'm disappointed that I can't watch it, but no biggie. It's the *album* I'm interested in, and that plays on my CD player just fine. Shame on you, Atlantic Records (the US label for Genesis and the early M+M albums), for not giving this new masterpiece by Mike & The Mechanics a release in North America. For now, it's the import route or bust. But if you're a diehard fan of Mike Rutherford's, the decision is obvious---BUY THIS ALBUM. And be prepared to be amazed. Without question, "Rewired" is an outstanding and exciting new chapter for Mike & The Mechanics. Congratulations, Mike & Paul, and welcome back.