Maybe I'm amazed that you want to leave this pretty place... You're Currently Passing Over the Village of McCartney at an altitude of 12,000 Feet and a Temperature of 40 Centigrade Overall Album Score: 7.9 out of 10 So I guess Paul wanted to beat Ringo and come out with the very first Beatles solo album. (But I don't know what he was worried about considering Ringo can't write music or sing any better than a wiener dog.) And so Paul rushed to his home studio, wrote, and recorded this album real quick. ( "Teddy Boy," and "Junk" are the only ones I'm aware of that was written beforehand - someone please point out if there were any others). Other than Linda, he didn't even bother to assemble a band - the bugger played EVERY SINGLE INSTRUMENT BY HIMSELF! And he's a master at every single one of them! Now THAT'S talent for ya! (He didn't play them all at the same time, of course - he recorded them separately and mixed them together - but if he had, that would surely bring a new meaning to the octopus's garden.) And you'll never guess what - Ringo still beat him to the shelves. (But Ringo's isn't even a rock album - it's just a bunch of covers of songs from the 20's and 30's.) After attaining this little tidbit of Beatles trivia, the first impression is to think that this album is remarkably bad - indeed, Paul's primary goal here was not to write a good album, but to beat Ringo. However, you might find yourself shocked to discover the material here isn't half bad - in fact, it's good even! It's charming, it's inventive, and it even has a collection of some very good songs in it. This is the A+ last-minute term paper of rock and roll. It's rare, but Paul must have been going through some sort of creative high when he wrote some of this stuff. (He might have been doing drugs considering the Japanese hadn't taken them away from him yet.) That's not to say that the collective whole of the world was peed-off at Paul for this. This album - and most of Paul's other solo projects - don't even COME CLOSE to even HOPING to be 1/100th as good as any Beatles album. If the Beatles was an orange, then the Paul McCartney solo career would be a pea. I can only imagine the avid Beatles fanatic of 1970 must have felt -- rushing to the record store, buying this album, and putting it on a record player, only to be utterly disappointed that Paul has come out with some crap - but it's respectable crap. However, when you compare this one with some of the later things McCartney did, you'll find that this pea is a pretty good pea. I actually consider this album the insignificant overture to what's probably Paul's greatest solo album ever: Ram. I do have some valid personal complaints with this album. For one, the material here largely leaves me underwhelmed. They are mostly enjoyable, but there's nothing that stands out for me. (Except "Maybe I'm Amazed" of course - and maybe "Teddy Boy.") This album offers very little reason for me to listen to it multiple times. Unfortunately, this album is one that stays in storage, collecting dust and germs, until I run across it one day and say: "Hey, here's a decent album that I hardly ever listen to." Much unlike the Beatles albums, which have been played so much that I've actually grown rather tired of them (which I once thought would never happen). Also, I'm surprised by how much filler is on here! Except for one track, it's largely enjoyable filler, but that's not something we should come to expect from someone who's considered among the greatest composers of the 20th century. How did this happen?? I guess he didn't have John to boss him around anymore, who'd probably feel too embarrassed to have some of this stuff in his name. That's not to say that Paul would be too thrilled to have some of John's boring crapole in his name, either - it's amazing how well they balanced each other out. The Beatles should never have split up. (But then again, they might all be dead by now if they hadn't-they were at each other's throats so severely, they could have swallowed and digested each other with one collective gulp.) To those interested in starting their very own Paul solo collection, don't start here unless you're anal about collecting artist's albums in order of release. Purchase Ram (which is very high on the innovative value) and then Band on the Run (which is Paul's highest concentration of great songs). If you really enjoy those two, then you're set to go with this one. Overall album score: 7.9 out of 10 (What makes this overall album score so low is that it contains a large amount of filler that would have otherwise been occupied with something a little more resonant had Paul actually spent time to properly develop the album. Nevertheless, it is surprisingly good for a one-man show that was done at the last minute ... Actually, this is Paul McCartney, isn't it! There's nothing "surprising" about it!) Song average: 8.2 (With one major exception, this is a fine little set of tunes - but considering it's by one of the greatest composers of the 20th century, this score is almost shockingly low.) Album Tilt: 8.0 (There's a distinct mood to the album and most of the songs within it fit well. (I could argue about "Teddy Boy" but I won't.) However, apart from its history, this album is nothing extraordinary, and it's not so high of an artistic achievement either. But McCartney does make very interesting use of instruments! Also affecting this score is the fact that I seldom feel the desire to listen to it.) Artist Tilt: 7.5 (Considering Paul quickly wrote this album just to beat Ringo to the presses means that he does not deserve an extremely high rating here. Sorry! However, at the same time, it's absolutely amazing to think that this was a one-man show! Even though certain aspects of this album are interesting - and even innovative - he should have spent more time developing it.) Track Reviews The Lovely Linda 8/10 This is a pleasant little love proclamation to someone named "Linda." I'm not sure exactly who this person is ... I think it might be his mother. No wait, her name was Mary, wasn't it. Then I guess it must be to his father ... no wait, I'm pretty sure his name wasn't Linda. Perhaps she's an individual in his vast community of dogs. Putting that aside, this 44-second song isn't so much a song but an interlude. Which is strange because interludes normally happen in the middle of something. This is too much for me, so I'm moving onto the next track. That Would Be Something 7.5/10 This track makes a perfect example of what I tend to think of this entire album. It's a nice little melody, but it's not particularly enjoyable nor does it have any artistic or lyrical value whatsoever. I'm gave it an extra half a point because of Paul's interesting vocal imitation of drums. (BABOOM!) Valentine Day 8/10 A very good two-minute jam - which can't actually be a jam because Paul is playing all the instruments. No lyrics here ... nothing in particular jumps out at me ... but at least it's enjoyable and doesn't waste too much of my time. Every Night 9/10 This is the first excellent song of the album. This song here is about some poor lonely dude wanting to spend nights with his lover... (is that who Linda is? Oh --- Shhhh! Better tell that to his wife!) It doesn't sound very developed though - but it's good enough for me. Hot as Sun/Glasses 9.5/10 YES! This is one of the best instrumental songs EVER! Well - maybe something by Beethoven might be a little better. (I'm exaggerating of course - but this a very good track here.) This reaffirms my faith in that not-to-be-messed-with talent of the "Beatle who looks like a broad." There's even some weird experimentation here - which will become more prevalent in Ram. Good track here! Junk 9/10 There's an obvious joke I could make about this song - but it just wouldn't fit! (Oh well.) This one is a Beatles song that just didn't happen. Was it to be on the White Album? Well, I'm glad it didn't make it because this one is actually too pleasant! It's not particularly corny - maybe syrupy. Good melody though. Man We Was Lonely 9/10 The intro here is very interesting - I'm not exactly sure how he achieved that sound. It doesn't sound much like a synthesizer. I don't know, it's probably just some weird thing he did to an electric guitar or something. I enjoy listening to this one more than "Junk" but it has a lesser melody. (Perhaps this mystery "Linda" woman did something naughty to it.) Oo You 9.5/10 The beginning of this track is the coolest thing EVER! This is the closest thing the album gets to an actual rock song - still pretty lightweight though. For making it up on the spot, this is a very good song. It's very fun to listen to, he's come up with some good guitar chords, and this is one of the album's better songs. Perhaps this is underrated. Momma Miss America 7.5/10 Yet another instrumental song (hey who's got time to come up with lyrics when you're trying to beat out dear Ringo?) Really, this is two more short rock jams tied together. Four minutes worth of filler - but at least it's good and interesting filler. This is the album's "bathroom break" unless you consider the entire thing to be one anyway. Teddy Boy 9.5/10 I'm rather glad this wasn't turned into an actual Beatles song - but I can only muse what the rest of the Fab Four would have made out of it. This song, unlike the most of the others, is among the most developed and best melodies. (A woman sings some backing vocals in this one - perhaps this Linda person snuck into the recording studio under Paul's nose?) Singalong Junk 9/10 ELEVATOR MUSIC! ELEVATOR MUSIC! ELEVATOR MUSIC! Well, come to think of it, this very pleasant instrumental piece might pass as background music for a romantic film. But we don't want that! Come on, Paul, we want more "Elenor Rigby!" Not this cheeky hullabaloo! (But for cheeky music, this is very good.) Maybe I'm Amazed 10/10 Don't think this is much better than any Beatles song (except for maybe Revolution #9) but this is clearly the best song of the album and the only one to be actually considered a Paul McCartney solo classic. Love the way you strum that stifled guitar there, Paul! An excellent little song here. If there were more songs like this on the album, I would listen to it more often. Kreen-Akore 1/10 #*$*#$&#&&$&#**$#&$! Okay - maybe THIS is why I seldom listen to this album considering this "song" is my last impression of it. Never has anything made me so UNCOMFORTABLE before! If that was Paul's goal then congratulations - but this is not something I want to listen to. It's a hideous, experimental song composed mainly of drums, weird chords, sound effect - and here's the kicker - Paul breathing into a microphone like he was a telephone stalker. (Maybe that's who this Linda person is.) Anyway that breathing really makes me want to puke. I gave it one point because it's vaguely ambitious - but I have a feeling it was done at the last minute because the album was four minutes too short. FILLER-FACE! What a terrible way to end the album! (Oh wait! I think know who Linda is! She's the woman who sells Paul drugs and told the Japanese government about it circa 1979! I bet those 'lovely flowers in your hair' are poppies.) This is your pilot. I hope you've had a nice flight. As you exit the airplane, please do not flip off the stewardess. If you have a comment about this album, please leave it here! slb23@shaw.ca (Simon B.) received Nov. 17, 2004 How Paul McCartney can go from being a damn good songwriter writing great songs in the Beatles to going solo and writing/composing THIS within a year is beyond me! The amount of filler on here is unbelievable! (However, I can see how Paul would want to just write simple songs as a break from the Beatles hit-making machine and whirlwind of success; and writing/composing/performing what he wants to with little interference from other writers/musicians). The only wonderfully great song is "Maybe I'm Amazed".

All reviews are copyrighted by the author, Michael Lawrence. He got his wings from a passing-by sparrow.