1. A Beggar on a Beach of Gold (Robertson/Rutherford) - 4:35
2. Another Cup of Coffee (Robinson) - 4:42
3. You've Really Got a Hold On Me - 3:29
4. Mea Culpa (Neil/Rutherford) - 6:20
5. Over My Shoulder (Carrack/Rutherford) - 3:37
6. Someone Always Hates Someone (Neil/Rutherford) - 3:42
7. The Ghost of the Sex and You (Robertson/Rutherford) - 6:24
8. Web of Lies (Carrack/Rutherford) - 5:38
9. Plain and Simple (Robertson/Rutherford) - 3:59
10. Something to Believe In (Neil/Rutherford) - 4:18
11. A House of Many Rooms (Robertson/Rutherford) - 5:39
12. I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be... (Wonder/Wright) - 3:11
13. Going, Going... Home (Neil/Rutherford) - 4:30

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CREDITS

Paul Carrack - Keyboards, Vocals
B.A. Robertson - Keyboards
Pete Beachill - Arranger
Dave "Clem" Clempson - Guitar
Nick Davis - Engineer, Mixing
Adrian Lee - Keyboards
Bob Ludwig - Mastering
Christopher Neil - Producer
Dale Newman - Programming
Andy Newmark - Drums
Tessa Niles - Vocals (bckgr)
Mike Rutherford - Bass, Guitar, Keyboards, Producer
Peter Van Hooke - Drums
Paul "Wix" Wickens - Keyboards
Paul Young - Vocals
Paul Gomersall - Engineer
Gary Wallis - Drums
Geoff Callingham - Technical Assistance
David Scheinmann - Photography
Mark Robinson - Assistant Engineer
David Frangioni - Drum Programming
Mike Bowen - Technical Assistance
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Mike + the Mechanics found themselves with faltering sales for Word of Mouth and for good reason, too; much of the album was filled with formulaic ballads and mediocre writing. With Beggar on a Beach of Gold, Mike Rutherford helped confront this problem by extending the songwriting duties, writing with Paul Carrack and producer Christopher Neil, as well as continuing his collaboration with B.A. Robertson. Thus, songs such as the upbeat numbers "Over My Shoulder" and "Another Cup of Coffee" effectively push past the band's formula with the musicians sounding looser than on previous records. "Plain and Simple" even has some loud guitars. Lyrically, the band has extended themselves as well. "The Ghost of Sex and You" and "Someone Always Hates Someone" approach serious questions about life and relationships without succumbing to adult contemporary clichйs. The production has also nicely updated Mike and the Mechanics' sound with electronic loops and keyboard effects, adding a spring to the band's step. While such safe nods to electronica will not impress many younger fans, it should excite the group's core audience, which is a bit older. In the end, although the band does not completely avoid bland material here, this is a surprisingly nice creative turn in the road for a group many counted out. — Geoff Orens.