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Cover |
Musicians |
 |
Paul Carrack : Vocals, Keyboards,
Guitar
Mike Rutherford : Guitar, Bass, Programming
Robbie Macintosh : Guitar
Ian Thomas : Drums
Neil Wilkinson : Drums
Peter Van Hooke : Drums
Programming : Will Bates, Rupert Cobb, Ashley Clarke
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Release |
Label |
Cat. N° |
Playing Time |
Rating |
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2004 |
Virgin |
7243
5 71188 0 4 |
44:21 |
7,5/10 |
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Website |
Contact |
Style |
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www.genesis-music.com
www.carrack-uk.com |
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Pop |
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Review by |
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Walter Haentjens |
In 1980 Mike
Rutherford ventured on a solo-side-leap (Small Creep’s Day), with a
moderate Continental success by the way. In 1985 he formed Mike &
The Mechanics. From the album of the same name, 2 singles reached
the top 10 (Silent Running and All I need is a miracle). In the mean
time, Rewired is the 7th in a row, 5 years after M6.
All vocal parts are now sung by Paul Carrack (since Paul Young died
unfortunately in July 2000). Respecting the record of the former
Squeeze and Ace-lead vocalist, I think It’s more than justified to
let his name glitter next to Mike’s, because his impact is quite
high.
On this album, the guys have experimented with new electronic
instrumentation, luckily without letting it dominate their usual
style: recognizable pop with (some) influences from the
(art-rock)past.
The first example is “One left standing” where electronics support
the rhythms of a flowing pop song with some pre-echo and a less
recognizable refrain. Paul Carrack’s singing talents show a better
advantage on “If I were you”. This slow track, in the good M&M
tradition, couples dramatic interpretation with quite a nice tune
and catchy arrangement.
A minus track on the CD is, in my opinion, the ‘Living years’ clone
“Perfect child”. Imagine the melody of the mega-Christmas-hit on
this text : << I want a perfect child – to live a perfect life in
this world – and though my heart tells me this could never be – I
see it all so perfectly >> and you know what I mean!
The title track “Rewired” is instrumental, very rhythmical with a
lot of accompanying noise. It rocks more than - for instance - the
Alan Parsons tracks, but it is less melodious; more like a
collection of soulless chords, too many echoes, but danceable.
No, I’d rather listen to “I don’t want it all”, because this track
has it all: a strong melody, magnificent canto and a beautiful
arrangement that fits. This is the golden combination I was looking
for. The following slow track “How can I” doesn’t excel as a
composition, but Paul’s sensitive voice and the typical M&M riff
lift the melody up above mediocrity.
The OOOOOOhhh’ s of “Falling” would be nice at a Festival (to sing
along with) but the poppy track itself is a little colorless.
“Somewhere along the line” is slow again, perfectly suited for
‘dancing on a tile”. At last “Underscore” is the instrumental
version of Falling and, at the same time, the end of the CD. You can
hear the electronics being used, experimenting with newer sounds
Rewired sounds a bit more ‘Mechanic’, more electronic and more
colorless than former productions and has almost nothing to do with
symphonic- or progressive rock, but that was probably not the issue.
The album itself is strong, tasteful and recognizable for Mike & the
Mechanics fans. Paul Carrack has the class to upgrade compositions
with his magnificent voice, but, this time, I feel that the
compositions are a little weaker than before. But let’s not forget:
we are still talking about the premier pop league !!!
Included is a DVD with all tracks, provided with animated video
images, co-made by pupils from the National Film and Television
School. It’s a Nice extra !!
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Tracklist |
1. One left standing 5:10
2. If I were you 4:21
3. Perfect child 5:11
4. Rewired 5:31
5. I don’t want it all 5:05
6. How can I ? 4:44
7. Falling 5:16
8. Somewhere along the line 3:51
9. Underscore 5:08 |
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