Well if you'll pardon the pun, it's been a long road, but here we are, release day for a brand new Mike & The Mechanics album... wow.

Andrew Roachford's superb new album: Where I Stand is now available. I've been listening to it all week, and can heartily recommend it to any fans of good soulful, melodic music. The album has a nice stripped down sound, and Andrew's voice really shines throughout. If you like The Road, then consider this your next purchase. :)

World Of Genesis is reporting that Audio Fidelity (the label previously responsible for shipping remastered copies of Face Value and No Jacket Required) are in the finishing stages of remastering the first self titled Mike & The Mechanics album. No release date is announced yet (as the album is currently in the approval stages with Mike's management) but when released the album should be the finest version of the album ever released.

With the release date for The Road drawing near, the band have been on the promotional trail, and after a recent showcase performance at the Hardrock Café in London, the band stuck around to give a few interviews. Hot on the trail was Genesis news hound Christian Gerhardts, who was able to chat with the band about the current album, tour, and future plans.

As many fans of the band may now be interested in following the career and releases of Andrew Roachford (and it's certainly recommended), I thought I'd give you all a heads up that Andrew has a new album prepping for release, entitled: Where I Stand.

My copy has just dropped through the letter box, so I've only had chance to listen to it once, but I can tell you that fans of either the Mechanics or Sad Café are in for a real treat. It stands as a wonderful reminder of just what a talent he was, and how regretful it is that he's not here to continue what would have been a greatly received solo career.

BBC radio has aired an edition of the Judy Spiers show, which features not only an interview with Mike Rutherford and Andrew Roachford, but also a song from The Road, entitled Try To Save Me.

Genesis News have posted a thorough review of the new Mechanics album, giving us a breakdown of the album track by track. Christian reckons the album is an entertaining (if not a killer) release, but is a fan of tracks, 'Background Noise' and 'Heaven Doesn't Care'.

Cheering up an otherwise gloomy Monday, is the news that available right now, is a new single from the band, entitled Reach Out (Trying To Touch The Sun). It's a smooth tune, which is a clear follow up to Rewired's mix of digital and traditional sounds. Andrew Roachford takes the lead vocal, and gives the track a real power, which balances well against the uncomplicated melody.

You can now pre-order the new Mike and The Mechanics album, The Road, from Amazon.co.uk (£8.93), Play.com (£8.99) and Zavvi.com (£8.85). The album releases on April 11th, so get your orders in now. :)

A real, do not adjust your sets moment here folks. Indeed the headline isn't an early April Fools gag, but is actually a project that's been in the pipe line for a long time. For full details on the origins of the project, then the offical sad café website is your best bet, but the short version seems to be that Paul Young had a good few songs recorded for a forthcoming solo album, which he sadly, he never got around to releasing.

A real, do not adjust your sets moment here folks. Indeed the headline isn't an early April Fools gag, but is actually a project that's been in the pipe line for a long time. For full details on the origins of the project, then the offical sad café website is your best bet, but the short version seems to be that Paul Young had a good few songs recorded for a forthcoming solo album, which he sadly, he never got around to releasing.

I'm really pleased to announce, that The House Of Many Rooms website has been offered a great (and fully furnished) home on online social phenomenon, Facebook. The group is called Mike Rutherford: The Genesis Of A Mechanic, and can be reached via this link, and via the link which now sits on the bottom right of every page.

Our friends over at Genesis News have let me know some great news this morning for German fans. Not only will the Mechanics be hitting the German roads with a series of seven live dates, but they've secured the first two rows of seats for the fan club.

Added a youtube vid of the band playing Living Years live, it's great quality too.

I've received a fantastic mail this morning, from Mechanics fan, Steve Martin, who was present for the Mechanic's Manchester gig at 'Band On The Wall'.

The news just keeps on coming. Looks like press releases are starting to be sent out, and tour dates are being revealed.

It's with great delight than we can today post an interview (conducted over e-mail), with Andrew Roachford. Andrew has played an integral role in creating the new Mechanics album, and I'm sure fans of the band will appreciate his influence.

Those of you with Sky subscriptions can get an early look at the new Mechanics, thanks to Sky broadcasting their Princes Trust show. The Rock Gala 2010 will be broadcast on Sunday 19 December 2010 on Sky 3D (Sky Channel 217).

When things start rolling, they don't stop! With the relaunch of the band now beginning to build up steam, more news is beginning to emerge, mostly via the standard bearer of hot off the press Genesis news, http://www.genesis-news.com.

Word is spreading that Mike & The Mechanics are to perform for the Princes Trust in London, on the 17th of November, in a concert which will be headlined by Eric Clapton.

Paul Carrack has recently released his new album, A Different Hat' which is now available to buy in both standard and deluxe editions, over on Paul's official website.

WOW - according to reports surfacing on the offical Genesis forum, Mike Rutherford has talked about his new project, and whilst little to nothing is known about it at this point, it has been revealed that he is working with successful singer songwriter - Andrew Roachford.

An interview with Empire (thanks steffen from the Genesis forum) features an interview with Paul Carrack, in which Paul states that Mike is working on a new album album, but he himself won't be contributing.

A welcome bit of news for any fans of Paul Young's previous band - Sad Cafè, US label Renaissance Records has not only remastered and re-released the bands first four albums on CD, but is planing to release their 5th - Oleé, for July 28th. They've even added a few b-side tracks into the package, so it's something fans won't want to miss.

Paul Carrack's new album, "I Know That Name" is now available. You can buy the album direct and signed by Paul himself.