Mike + The Mechanics // The Singles 1985 – 2014

 
Standard
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Deluxe
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Nowadays to last even a few years in the music business is a thing in itself. But when you have a group who existance has spanned 29 years, that is something to celebrate! And that is what this recent release from Mike & The Mechanics is.

It’s available as two different version although they have one CD in common: the singles. It brings together the singles for the various albums together in one recording. Some songs are more familiar that others depending on where you come in on the 29 years but it also includes a brand new song (most likely as a bit of a promotional track for the album) When My Feet Don’t Touch The Ground. For those who may have only seen the most recent line up including Andrew Roachford & Tim Howar, this give a chance to hear the originals and appreciate that they do the song justice live while others may just wish to reminisce on what was and what it is now.

As we mentioned, there is a another version of the album that includes a CD of rarities, B-sides & unreleased recordings (although from what we’ve seen, the only unreleased track appears to be the first on this CD One By One)

We guess it depends on how long you’ve been a fan of the group whether or not it’s worth the purchase. For some it might just be an introductory album, or for those who have been in from 2011’s release The Road, a history lesson. For those who have been there from the start, maybe nothing to see here maybe except for the second CD. Either way, we think it’s a nice little collection to celebrate a history.

Rating: 5/5

Nicholas McDonald // Answerphone

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It seems that 2013’s X Factor runner-up Nicholas McDonald is wasting no time in punting out his debut single, Answerphone, the first from his debut album In The Arms of An Angel.

Probably predictable, it’s a bubbly, upbeat number which feels more like it should be sung by a group rather than by a soloist (we could see it having appeared on One Direction’s debut release but it does remind us of Darius Campbell’s (nee Danesh) 2004 offering Kinda Love too). Fans will no doubt flock to it but others may need convincing.

Rating: 3/5

Red Hot Chilli Pipers // Wake Me Up

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So we all know the Avicii & Aloe Blac song Wake Me Up right? Ever think that it would work with bagpipes? Wonder no more as the Red Hot Chilli Pipers have done just that!

Yes they ‘Chillied’ the song and released it and we have to say that it feels as if the song could have been written for the bagpipes from the outset. Beginning almost like a traditional song, it’s not long before they head straight into the familiar notes and we suspect an added Chilli pipers twist on it to make it their own. There are vocals near the end of the track which are just enough. We don’t think it would have worked just as well with the vocals through the whole thing.

The guys are currently leading an assault to get bagpipes into the charts. We highly recommend a listen and even a wee sneaky purchase!

Rating: 5/5

Boyzone // Light Up The Night

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The second single to be lifted from the latest Boyzone album comes in the form of Light Up The Night.

Thankful we can say that it’s much better than their last offering of Love Will Save The Day. It’s more what people have probably come to expect of the boys with a more familiar to tone to the song. It’s a ballad but we are in the season of love right now so it is timed well (well…maybe not the video that has more bonfire night written over it) and it does fit into the gap left by a sadly departed boy band…

Nice little number but doubts as to whether it will light up the charts or not.

Rating: 3.5/5

David Guetta // Shot Me Down (Feat. Skylar Grey)

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This song has had it’s fair covers over the years and in 2014, David Guetta along with Skylar Grey are bring the latest incarnation of the song.

To be honest, we’re a little split on the song. We love the sort of ‘traditional’ section performed by Skylar but the rest of the track reminds us of Martin Garrix’s Animals. That’s not a bad thing but we can’t help thinking that it’s riding on the coat tails of it.

Interesting take on the track and probably look good in a non-stop mix. On it’s own, we’re not convinced.

Rating: 3/5

Westlife // The Love Songs

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Breaking up is so hard to do…but never fear because you’ve now got all those lovely compilations for every occasion to look forward to! And that’s exactly what this is just in time for Valentine’s….awww!

Yes, Westlife parted ways in 2012 & Shane’s gone on to release his solo effort last year and Kian is due to release his in March but in the meantime, we can “enjoy” this. Yes we use the term enjoy loosely seeing as there is nothing here that hasn’t previously been released on their studio albums (although notably, Unbreakable, Swear It Again, My Love & When You’re Looking Like That are the radio/single mixes)

Collectors will probably pick up just for completeness but if you’ve bought their previous works, there’s no need…unless you want to remind yourself why you may actually be the 2nd love of somebody’s life.

Rating: 1/5

Yolanda Be Cool // All That She Wants (Feat. SYF & Fritz Helder)

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We have to say that the only other thing that comes to mind we think of Yolanda Be Cool is We No Speak Americano so when this came up on our radar, we had to take a look.

It is a cover of the 90s song of the same name by Swedish group Ace of Base. This rendition of it however takes on the darker edge of the song whilst the brighter aspects are dulled down. As if to add to the dark tone, is the eerie male vocals which if you old enough to remember the original (we are) takes a bit of getting used although for us, it did put us off.

It’s an usual twist on a classic but seems it would fit in better with halloween…

Rating: 2/5

The Vamps // Wild Heart

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We have a confession. The first time that we heard this our first thought was that it actually One Direction singing. We’d probably never had associated it with the guys that gave us Can We Dance.

The song itself basically draws on elements from popular tracks made famous by Avicii & Aloe Blacc and of course One Direction, which is probably why we got confused. But at the same time, it’s these elements that make it hard once you’ve heard it a few times to get it out of your head and we dare you not to be singing along with the ohhhh and ‘she’s got a wild heart/she’s got a wild heart’

Does it stand out as much as Can We Dance? Not particularly and we’d hope that by falling in line with current trends, they don’t get lost in the wilds of the similar tracks out there.

Rating: 3/5

Peter Hollens // Into The West

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We can’t help think that there is some clever ploy in Hollens’ mind in releasing his latest cover. Don’t know why? Well considering that we are in Award season….and the original version of this won a Grammy, a Golden Globe & an Oscar…Maybe we’re reading too much into it but would be cool to think it right?

Anyway, if you’re aware of our previous posts, you’ll know that Hollens make all his music purely with his voice. Into The West, heard in the credits of The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King was originally performed by Scottish singer/songwriter Annie Lennox of it does have a lot to live up to.We’re happy to report, that it does and once again, Peter makes a song his. It is a mere faster in tempo but when you break it down into it’s components, it’s a pretty spectacular result.

Rating: 5/5