Music review: Mike and the Mechanics 鈥� 鈥楲et Me Fly鈥�
I鈥檒l openly admit that I didn鈥檛 become a huge Genesis fan until the departure of Peter Gabriel and the album release of 鈥淎nd Then There Were Three.鈥�
With drummer Phil Collins taking over the lead vocals and capturing my interest, it wasn鈥檛 long after that I would discover the band鈥檚 earlier works.
While all the members of Genesis pursued their own musical ventures, Gabriel and Collins garner most of the attention. However, Mike Rutherford has managed to make a pretty good run with another band. It鈥檚 been 32 years since Rutherford鈥檚 Mike and the Mechanics originated as a side project from the Genesis guitarist.
In the early years, Rutherford鈥檚 vision was beautifully driven by the engaging vocals of two stellar vocalists. Paul Carrack and Paul Young were a huge reason for the success of the budding band with hits like 鈥淭he Living Years,鈥� featuring Carrack, and 鈥淎ll I Need Is a Miracle,鈥� fronted by Young.
鈥淟et Me Fly鈥� is the eighth studio album from Mike and the Mechanics. After a six-year break between albums, the group sounds refreshed and refocused on the new material.
The new band lineup still features duel vocalists delivering the band鈥檚 insightful messages. While it鈥檚 difficult to fill the shoes of Young and Carrack, Andrew Roachford and Tim Howar perform their duties admirably as they carry over what they started on 2011鈥檚 鈥淭he Road.鈥�
Roachford鈥檚 soulful vocal style takes center stage on the title track with the assistance of a stirring choir that brings a spiritual freedom to the arrangement about finding our purpose in life.
Howar follows with the mid-tempo number 鈥淎re You Ready,鈥� a strong anthem focused on the action of demonstrating true love and commitment by putting one鈥檚 heart on the line for the long run.
Roachford steals the spotlight with additional commanding performances on the moving ballad 鈥淪ave the World鈥� and the sweeping 鈥淒on鈥檛 Know What Came Over Me.鈥�
Howar鈥檚 defining moment is witnessed on the rousing number 鈥淭he Best Is Yet to Come鈥� with its irresistible melody and driving beat.
鈥淟et Me Fly鈥� is a soaring effort that hints that the best is still yet to come from Rutherford and his crew.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.