The Road [CD]

After Paul Young's death everyone thought that Mike Rutherford's side project, Mike & The Mechanics would end their road. For us surprise, Mike decided to continue with Paul Carrack, and release album called Rewired (2004), it wasn't much of a success. Now after seven years, road continues, but what have changed? One thing that have changed is the lineup of the mechanics. The new mechanics are Andrew Roachford, soulful singer and Canadian actor and singer, Tim Howar + bonus member Arno Carstens. Many have said that Andrew Roachford sounds lot like Paul Carrack and Tim Howar sounds lot like Paul Young, that's true, though the new mechanics have freshed the old Mike & The Mechanics sound. One thing that haven't changed is the team boss, Mike Rutherford, and after a long hiatus, Mike has done a great job and I could say that overally the album is a brilliant pop album.

Album starts with soft and uptempo title track. Though the track is a good opener, the song itself isn't the best in the whole album. I would give it ***

The next song is the first single release "Reach Out And Touch The Sun". The track tells a lot of the mood what the new mechanics has brought to the lineup. It's a modern adult-pop track, but after many times of listening, it still doesn't strike, although it`s a very good track. ****

After that comes the second single "Try To Save Me". This track is overally good pop song, it's not hit but not bad either. ****

Then, there's finally a wake up call. Fourth track is called "Background Noise". On the first three tracks the singer was Andrew Roachford, in this track it's time for Arno Carstens to step in. The track is really great song and the "background noise" stays in your head after the listening. This is the first song that proves that Mike's decision to continue his solo project was right. *****

Then it's Roachford's turn to strike in the song called "I Don't Do Love". The first minute of the track is very touchful and the song seems to tell a story of a man who's disappointed on his realationships in the past and don't want to fall in love again. This song is one of my favorites on the Road, I would give it *****

The next song is "Heaven Doesn't Care". Now is the time for Tim Howar to step in on this song. The song is very similar to M&TheM's biggest hit "Living Years". The song is about Heaven's disregard of the people who access to the Heaven; Heaven doesn't care if you don't go with every rule of the Bible. It's a great song and a possible hit. *****

Then it's Carstens turn when comes "It Only Hurts For A While". It's a typical Mechanics and adult pop track. The song is about heartbreak and how "It Only Hurts For A While". It's very soothing track and Carstens voice is really pleasant. Even though the track itself is one of the weakest in the album, I have a soft spot on this particular song. ****

And after a little break, Roachford comes in with a great song, "Walking On The Water". The song is a great pop track and it maintains "The Road's" fresh sound. **** ½

After that it's Carstens final song on the album, "Hunt You Down". For the first time when I was listening this song, I thought: this is funny and catchy song, but is it too "catchy" for the album? I don't think it is. It's nice when 9th track on the album can put a smile on your face. Harmless track and after few times of listening, the song brings a great filler to the album. ****

Then it's the Howar's second and final song, "Oh No". The song reminds me distantly of some 80's or early 90's female voiced song. It's not a bad thing, but this song kind of waits to be liked, so it grows in time. It isn't the best on the album, but it's not the weakest. This track does a great job for a preparing to a final song. *** ½

After that comes the final song, "You Can Be The Rock", which isn't the bad song either, but kind of unusual Mechanics way this isn't the best "final", although the first song, The Road, and this together nicely sums up the sound of the album. ***

All in all, this is a great comeback album, and a great pop album. If you want to enjoy brilliantly done pop songs that differs from today's music scene, this is the album for you. I loved it, although I've never owned Mike & The Mechanics album until now. Hopely Mike doesn't change his team after this stint, because I eagerly wait what these guys could do in the next album. Mike & The Mechanic's takes you to a nice little trip, which you can do a many times.

What a great album - Some how the release of this album passed me by. I was disappointed with Rewired and thought that would be the end of the band. However this release takes the Mechanics back to where they belong. All the tracks are catchy and after several listens there are none I am skipping by.
I can give no higher praise and hopefully there will be further releases now

The music on this album is a melodic synthesis of new intensely perfect sounds that convey a sense of nostalgia, re-inforced by the poetic clarity of words that are almost more spoken than sung. You feel as if you are listening to something so personal, so autobiographical, that these are stories being played out and for which you have been given permission to eavesdrop. The music draws you in as if a portal to the emotions and history of this group, once in youth, now in the passing of time and life...with nothing lost in the passing.