Gentle Harm Of The Bourgeoisie, The - Paul Rutherford

Advantages: Excellent - Well Crafted
Disadvantages: Too Sentimental In Places

...This is the fifth album form Mike Rutherfords so called side project. Like earlier albums and songs such as the living years this album manages to pull at the heart strings while sending off a laid back vibe. With “Ordinary Girl” the band affirm once again that they are regular guys just like the restof us. “Open Up” is a sentimental number which is succeeded by the anthem song “When I Get Over You”. The album is rounded off by musings on the common man’s place in the great scheme of things on the haunting track “Dreamland”. The songs all fit together seamlessly on the album and are well crafted. Arrangements are kept to a minimum acoustics mainly being used. This allowed both Paul Carrack and Paul Young on vocals to display their sheer excellence in delivery.... Read review

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Advantages: All the best Mike and the Mechanics tracks
Disadvantages: None

...a momentum or continuity to develop beyond a certain level. The gaps were sufficiently long however to mean that the band had to effectively relaunch itself every three years and to do so needed a good product to achieve it. This hits album confirms they achieved continued success with the strength of the songs. Mike and The Mechanics were an ensemble band who used well known band members to combine on this infrequent basis. Rutherford was undeniably the founder and leader but in Paul Carrack he found the perfect voice for his lyrics. Carrack has a strong voice but not too overpowering for the sound Rutherford wished to create. The band also used Paul Young as a vocalist. The bands sound was usually very polished. In many ways they are similar to what you would to hear from Don Henley or The Eagles. There is a distinct American feel... Read review

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Advantages: Suppers Ready , Watcher of The Skies , packed with great music
Disadvantages: None

...Foxtrot (one ‘t’ Ciao) was released in 1972 and was this line ups second album together , but the fourth under the band’s name. It was without doubt both artistically and commercially their best album so far, with most of the album (time wise) forming part of their live set for many years after this release. Gabriel was becoming more confident with the theatrical aspect of performing, although one has to wonder about someone wearing a dress with a foxes head mask. The album features another Paul Whitehead cover, but I believe this was the last album to feature artwork by the man. If you’re interested there is a link to song samples on my detailed profile. The album opens with another Genesis classic “Watcher of The Skies”, featuring a vicious rhythmic backing provided by Collins and Rutherford... Read review

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