Mike + The Mechanics (1985 album)

Mike Rutherford began constructing the album's set of tracks by playing demo tapes containing musical pieces in various stages of development (in some cases no more than isolated riffs and fragments but a few seconds long) to producer Christopher Neil. Neil then told him which bits he thought were worth developing, and Rutherford began building these pieces into full-fledged songs. With the exception of "Silent Running", which Rutherford co-wrote with B. A. Robertson, the final versions of the songs were drafted by Neil; in Rutherford's words, "He's much better at finishing, and I'm much better at starting, so it was a good combination."[4]

In most cases, the lyrics were written by Rutherford. However, he credits Neil for writing the lyrics to the verses of "You Are the One".[4]

Rutherford originally conceived "Par Avion" as a heavy song "with powerful drums", but Neil adapted it into a soft ballad, which Rutherford agreed was a better approach to the composition.[4] The song was featured in the Miami Vice episode "Yankee Dollar".

"A Call to Arms" began as an unfinished "bit" from the Genesis album sessions which none of the members liked, aside from Rutherford. Rutherford received permission from Genesis bandmates Phil Collins and Tony Banks to use it for the Mechanics, then developed it into a full song with help from Christopher Neil and B.A. Robertson.[4]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[5]

In their retrospective review, Allmusic lauded the strong performances of all the band members, while noting that the creative and powerful songwriting is the most important element of the album. They oddly concluded that though Mike + the Mechanics' second album was a bigger commercial success, "their debut reflects a more compliant (sic) sound in every aspect."[5]

Mike + The Mechanics

• Mike Rutherford – electric guitars, bass, backing vocals
• Paul Carrack – lead vocals (1, 5, 8), backing vocals
• Paul Young – lead vocals (2, 4, 6, 9), backing vocals
• Adrian Lee – keyboards
• Peter Van Hooke – drums

Additional personnel

• Dereck Austin – keyboards
• Ian Wherry – keyboards
• Alan Murphy – electric guitars
• Luís Jardim – percussion
• Ray Beavis – saxophone
• John Earle – saxophone
• John Kirby – lead vocals (3, 7)
• Gene Stashuk – backing vocals (8)
• Alan Carvel – backing vocals
• Christopher Neil – backing vocals
• Linda Taylor – backing vocals

• Christopher Neil – producer
• Simon Hurrell – engineer
• Barry Diament – mastering at Atlantic Studios (New York, NY).
• Lewis Moberly – cover design
• Geoff Halpin – design
• Peter Anderson – photography