Mike + the Mechanics

Mike & The Mechanics

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: 1985
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atlantic / Wea
• ASIN: B000002IIG
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,191 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Genesis' Rutherford branches out, February 13, 2003

By	D. L. Worthing "Graphic Designer" (Arundel, Maine United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is one of the better albums to come out in the 80's.
After a long string of successful Genesis albums guitarist and co-founding member Mike Rutherford released this side project Mike and the Mechanics.
Stepping out from the shadow of frontman and lead vocalist Phil Collins, Rutherford proves he's more than just the big tall guitarist of the group.
He along with Christopher Neil (who also produced the album) and B.A. Robertson write some great songs on this 80's treasure. One song was co-written by Genesis bandmates Collins and Tony Banks "A Call to Arms" probably mean't for a past or future Genesis release.
The Mechanics very talented lineup consists of Ace, Squeeze, and solo artist Paul Carrack who shares the vocal duties with the late Paul Young. Rounding out the band is Peter Van Nooke on drums, Adrian Lee on keyboards and Rutherford on guitar and bass.
The disc opens with the catchy sci-fi themed "Silent Running". It is one of many well written songs on the disc. Other memorable tracks on the CD are; "All I Need is a Miracle" and "Taken In".
One of my favorite tracks is "Hanging By A Thread". It is one of the more harder edged tracks on the disc. I also enjoyed "Par Avion". This album is probably the best of the group's later releases.
Rutherford scores big with this release. He succeeds unlike many artist who decide to do solo projects away from their respective popular bands. He has put together a disc with well written and catchy material with very talented musicians. It's a great disc.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top 40 Pop of the 80s IMHO, January 8, 2005

By	T. Frantz "taf_of_grapevine" (Grapevine, TX United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mike Rutherford's 2nd Successful Band, September 16, 2003

By	Alan Caylow (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

1985's "Mike + The Mechanics" isn't really guitarist/bassist Mike Rutherford's first solo project---it's his third---but it is the first release under the group name, which became Rutherford's successful solo project outside of his main band, Genesis. With lead vocals by Paul Carrack and Sad Cafe's Paul Young, this album is a wonderfully catchy disc of excellent, melodic 80's pop/rock. The pair of Top Ten hits, the spacey "Silent Running," and the finger-snapping "All I Need Is A Miracle," are both M+M staples, but there are other great songs like the beautiful "Par Avion" & "Taken In" (which was a minor hit), the hard-rocking "Hanging By A Thread" & "Take The Reins," and the marvelous "A Call To Arms," which actually started out as a Genesis song, co-written by bandmates Phil Collins & Tony Banks, but Rutherford ultimately saved it for his own album. "Mike + The Mechanics" is a terrific album, one of Mike Rutherford's best offerings as a solo artist, and one of the 80's finest albums.