What Are You Listening To?

[CRAZY-HORSE]

MIKE AND THE MECHANICS "mike & the mechanics" 1985,vinyl. #14uk, #36au, #26us.

very good debut solo album from the extremely talented Genesis' guitarist Mike Rutherford.
two massive US hits on this one and one big hit and a minor hit here in Oz, not really as popular in his homeland of England for some reason, but nevertheless a great songwriter in his own right.
Gabriel and Collins had had successful solo outings so i guess Rutherford thought he could try his luck during a Genesis haitus. only two dud tracks on this one, i like the way that his songs have veered away from the standard Genesis sound for the most part...something which Collins has failed to do consistantly.
"you are the one" is probably my best pick here, a great ballad, very Lennon Beatle-esque in parts, and of course the two major hits, probably two of the best singles by anyone from that mid '80s period of music.
just misses out on a "love" rating for me at the moment...also hate it when there's no link for my favourite tracks!

I LIKE THIS ALBUM

worst track: a call to arms
best track: you are the one

tracks:

1. silent running*** #21 uk, #23 au, #6 us
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL0s-ASd6U0 live
2. all i need is a miracle*** #53 uk, #8 au, #5 us
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DFNJy0OOyk live
3. par avion*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJSMuSBsGtQ audio
4. hanging by a thread**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O94HHm_Tu-g audio
5. i get the feeling**
6. take the reins***
7. you are the one***
8. a call to arms*
9. taken in** #32 us
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj1Dh3BNS2Q video

3s=4
2s=3
1s=2

rating: 2.2