Mike & The Mechanics Hits - Mike & The Mechanics

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Average
Lyrics	Mediocre
Quality and consistency of tracks	One hit and lots of B-sides
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Unmemorable
Value for Money	Poor

Advantages:	Living Years
Disadvantages:	The rest

Recommend to potential buyers:

no

Full review

Mike & The Mechanics - Hits

I am still busy transferring CD's to iTunes and I am getting to the last 100 or so now. This is a CD that my wife originally bought, one I had already purged for 'Living Years' so I have taken the opportunity to listen to it again, though from memory it was not great.

I like the fact that in the inner booklet they state clearly that these 'hits' were hits in various places in the World, not just UK. The 'Hits' span 11 years from 1985 (Silent running) - 1996 (All I need is a Miracle '96).

The band were/are:

Paul Carrack (used to be in Squeeze)
Paul Young (used to be in Sad Café), Paul died of a heart attack in 2000.
Mike Rutherford (used to be in Genesis)
Adrian Lee
Peter Van Hooke
Gary Wallis

So, we have a high class and well connected line up, but what about the 'Hits'?

~~~The Tracks~~~
1. All I Need Is a Miracle '96
Has a distinct Genesis feel to it, and could in fact be Genesis, very late 70's/early 80's soft rock feel. It is musically very good, the lyrics are so 80's, this is no surprise as it was first released in 1985....sure it was in a film, too cheesy for me by far, terrible opener. 2/10.

2. Over My Shoulder
Very Genesis inspired again, though this has it's own distinct feel. Again a bit too soft rock for my liking, catchy, but not catching, 3/10.

3. Word of Mouth
Another soft rock, anthem like start which promises much, and actually the vocals are quite good, the lyrics okay and the tempo and rhythm quite catchy. Almost, but not quite political. 5/10.

4. The Living Years
One of my all time favourite songs and guaranteed to bring a tear to my eye every time. I remember listening to this the night after my dad had survived (just) a massive heart attack, I was told to 'say goodbye' and yet he pulled through. I went home and put this on. One of the most realistic and heartfelt 'stories' of lyrics ever penned. The chorus is hypnotic and unforgettable. The music is perfectly matched to the vocals. Brilliant 10/10.

5. Another Cup of Coffee
Awful, especially after the last song...pop/rock trash, trying to be meaningful, lyrics related to domestic/mental abuse, yet it just does not work, at all. 2/10.

6. Nobody's Perfect
Awful, terrible, horrid, electronic 80's American soundtrack. 0/10.

7. Silent Running
Interesting start, quiet, and sounds like, I guess, what it is supposed to be, 'silent running' is what submariners call it when they glide quietly underwater to avoid detection. This song is very familiar and has an almost 'Tubular Bells' feel to it. The vocals are not so good, the lyrics clearly about wartime, it feel like it could, should be better, as the sentiment and music are okay, but it does not quite 'get there'. 7/10.

8. Nobody Knows (what we had)
Nice start, pleasant musically, more of a ballad type song, in the same vein as 'Living years' but not as good, actually it's okay. Not too sure about the tempo changes, but it makes it interesting I suppose. 6/10.

9. Get Up
Love the start to this, piano, guitar, drums, quite fun, then in comes the awful vocals and spoils it, prog rock at it's worse. 3/10.

10. A Time and Place
Oh no, serious ballad, power rock, could be Foreigner, but it aint, really cannot stand this. 1/10.

11. Taken In
Please no, no more, I want to throw myself from the nearest bridge "You say I'm the only one when I look in your eyes, I want to believe you, but you know how to lie".....agggghhhhhh. Even the saxophone solo (which is good) cannot save this. 0/10.

12. Everybody Gets a Second Chance
At least this is a bit more up tempo and bright, but again that horrid 80's prog/soft rock. 2/10.

13. A Beggar on a Beach of Gold
I cannot even begin to describe this naff, cheesy tosh. 0/10

~~~Finally~~~
So having given this album a second chance, I know why I only uploaded 'Living Years' before. I would recommend everyone to have 'Living Years' in their collection, but there is not one other song here that does anything much for me than make me wanna chuck. Do NOT waste your money.

It gets one star, and that is for 'Living Years'. How can a band have a classic song like that and so much else is just dross?

Can't tell you how much this cost as it is a few years old, whatever it costs, it's too much.

Also posted on Dooyoo, same member name.