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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.

Mechanical Wonder
by Ocean Colour Scene


8.9

based on 7 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 16 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album

A Hyperactive Workout For The Flying Squad

The fifth album from the British rockers is their first U.S. release in five years.

LABEL:	Ark 21
RELEASE DATE:	01 May 2001
DISCS:	1 disc
GENRE(S):	Alternative, Rock, Britpop

NOTES: Released 9 April 2001 in the UK.

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Dot Music

Possibly the band's best album yet, destined to be loved by fans and loathed by critics, 'Mechanical Wonder' will be the soundtrack of spliffed up barbecues and boozed up afternoons with your mates for this summer and beyond.

Wall of Sound

OCS is quite simply straight-up and ultra-refreshing, expert in crafting great pop songs and equally adept at letting the music do its talking.

Pitchfork

The Cliff's Notes of classic rock.

All Music Guide

The problem is that the songwriting has gotten a little mannered, a little undistinguished, and the performances, while sturdy, tend to be slightly flat.

Q Magazine

Yet despite the quality of Can't Get Back To The Baseline and the Kinks-like Give Me A Letter, several semi-acoustic fillers -- of which the dreary, You Are Amazing is the worst offender -- water down the album as a whole.

Mojo

Overall, the pickings are too thin for a band of their capabilities.

Alternative Press

In one word: lackluster. In two words: dead boring. [Aug 2001, p.90]

The average user rating for this album is 8.9 (out of 10) based on 16 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Mark F gave it a3:
Well - I will have to give this album another good listen. I love O.C.S but thought this album was awful! (Far too down with no substance) I got to say though that I can't believe what I'm reading here (alot of good ratings) so maybe my view is a wrong one? Other albums by O.C.S have been more absorbing. Still - after reading what people think here makes me wonder if I should listen to mechanical wonder again! - mmmmm - I wonder?

jill gave it a 10:
this album is excellent, i give it a ten.... i can get 'if i gave you my heart' out of my head...amazing music to chill to. x

Paul D gave it a 9:
More low key than their earlier stuff... But just as good. From 'Sail on my Boat', to 'We Made it More'. Great music to just look out the window and think about life.

Simon K. gave it a 10:
Love it every song is brilliant well worth a 10.

Paul M. gave it an 8:
Could have spent more time on certain tracks.

Stuart R. gave it a 9:
A fine crafted album with a variety of textures and great for a spliff on a saturday afternoon.

Warwick M. gave it a 9:
I think this is a real return to form for OCS. I disagree with a number of others and find that the folk numbers compliment the others very well

Mechanical Wonder by Ocean Colour Scene

Mechanical Wonder
by Ocean Colour Scene