Amazon.co.uk allows you to pay for your items in your local currency. Restrictions apply. Learn More. |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s
|
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Beyond establishing Mike Rutherford as a household name, the Mechanics' first album also established impossibly high expectations for their follow-up release. The Mechanics rose to the challenge, and in 1988 they released their second album, In the Living Years, an accomplishment that equaled - some say exceeded - their first effort. Amazing.
Could we reasonably expect this superband to three-peat? In a word, no. Not that their third third album, Word of Mouth, was anything to be ashamed of, but it simply didn't have the consistent quality of the first two wonders.
There are some gems to be found on Word of Mouth, particularly the title track sung by Paul Young, which is closest in form to the most popular Mechanics hits from their first two albums. Other pleasing pieces include The Way You Look at Me, My Crime of Passion and Before, all sung by Paul Carrack in his characteristic fashion.
Unfortunately, the rest of the album will appeal only to true Mechanics devotees. Nevertheless, I find myself more attracted to the album with each new listening, and I suspect that anyone willing to give it the time will be as well.
By itself, this album could have been a solid top 40 release...maybe even Top 10. But we were spoiled by the first two Mechanics chartbusters, and since we've seen better from Mike, this album quickly faded from the charts. Ironically, had Mike and the Mechanics released their first three albums in reverse order, they likely would have built a chart-topping dynasty to last well into the 90s.
Bottom Line: If you're building a Mechanics collection, then be sure to include this album. Otherwise, go for one of the first two releases or perhaps the Hits compilation.
This album is a must for any Mechanics fan and by anyone that appreciates highly technical music that is slickly produced and with amazing vocals by the late Paul Yound and the groovin' Paul Carrack (whom I am collecting all his stuff now).
I am in agreement with several here that I was perplexed at the time this was released in 1991 that it wasn't a huge hit album. But, if I recall, this was the time when 80's bands were starting to be given the 'cold shoulder' by the record industry (I'm sure that sounds unbelievable to those fascinated with the 80's revival in the 2000's) in favor of 'Alternative Rock' (which itself was an oxymoron, since it was really what mainstream record companies were promoting at every turn). So, although certainly Mike Rutherford's "main band", Genesis, had some great success around this time; they were also "sure money" to the record execs. Mike + The Mechanics was not.
Certainly, nothing in this album wouldn't have proved to be a smash hit, were it to have been released 5 years earlier. It's a shame, because I believe on tracks like "Word of Mouth", "Everybody Gets a Second Chance", "Stop Baby" and "Before (The Next Heartache Falls)" --they really hit their stride with excellent production, lyrics, and music.
Unlike "The Living Years" album which was a bit of a downer thematically & musically for me, or "Beggar on a Beach of Gold" which was terribly uneven and musically obtuse -even bizarre at times; the "Word of Mouth" gives great rock when it wants to ("Get Up" & the title track), and lets out some refined passion & lyrics for the rest. Throughout it all, melody is a key constant ingredient ... the most since their first album, and less prone to meander into odd rhythms.
In all, "Word of Mouth" is an outstanding pop album. And, if you really love the 80's (not just the radio 'hits' that are endlessly replayed these days), and are interested in this band, you owe it to yourself to check it out.
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
