Seriously thinking of leaving Ciao now, just too many problems, too often......off by crimbo, you wi...
Seriously thinking of leaving Ciao now, just too many problems, too often......off by crimbo, you will find me on another well known site, same member name.
Member since:22.06.2004
Reviews:153
Members who trust:53
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.
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.
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The first couple aren't bad, but Living Years just brings back so memories of my own Dad who sadly was taken away so suddenly. The lyrics in this one are so poignant for me because I never had chance to tell him how I was feeling and vice versa until it was to late.I won't make that mistake with my kids (I hope)
tractor-boy 29.10.2008 15:50
Funnily enough I was listening to Living Years on the radio this morning. Can only really recognise two of the others on this album though.
MCFruitbat 09.10.2008 12:28
Saw this band when they were warming up for Sting at the Royal Albert Hall and they were just dreadful. Pub band with one good song, which they messed up by leaving it until everyone in the audience already hated them. Good work.
Oct 2nd, 2008
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