Paul McCartney did not fare well at the Grammys. Did his record deserve better?
I got into an accidental discussion with some about the Grammys last week. I watched the first half of the program and offered some thoughts on the winners, losers, and the performances and production numbers. I took a small swipe at Sir Paul McCartney. Apparently I touched a nerve. As a result of that conversation I wound up buying Chaos and Creation in the Backyard to determine whether or not my McCartney jokes were justified.…
Article comments
26 - DJRadiohead
Thanks again to everyone stopping by. You got the review on the "Hot Topics" out front and since I am a total traffic whore this pleases me.
Putting an uncool song on your record to goad the people who want you to be cool just isn't cool to me. I just don't hear any charm in that song.
27 - rocco
Thank you for your balanced and thoughtful review.
I think that Chaos will be an album that people refer back to when trying to find out what Paul was really about. I think it will have "legs"...
I think English tea is a typical macca statement of "If I like it, I will put it on...", but I also think its a bit of self-parody.
For those that like Chaos, there are some outstanding b-sides to the Fine Line and Jenny Wren singles, like "Comfort of Love" and "Growing Up, Falling Down" (which is similiar to Vanity fair). I would really encourage you to find these songs...as they are just as good, if not better than Chaos itself.
28 - Gordon Hauptfleisch
More generally, I think it says a lot about Paul--about his musical sensibilies and ego-less and temporary perceived awareness to jump-start his creativity--when he sought out Elvis Costello as a writing partner for songs that showed up on Flowers and Dirt, and on Costello's works ("Veronica," "So Like Candy," etc.) I'm such a huge fan of both individually, so this was the best of both worlds. (Now if only Ray Davies and Pete Townshend would finally get together for their long-planned project.)
29 - J. Galloway
Let the record show that all of Paul Mccartney's employees and hanger-on's are flooding this post to plaster untrue artistic merit to a rather bland and poor endeaver that surely moves nothing of consequence.
30 - Maart
I'd go along with the view that the lesser known album tracks are the better songs on this album. It's just a shame they weren't released as singles. Now most people will probably never hear them. The actual singles released would have gone down well in the 1960s, but I think general radio/ pop listeners like a deeper song now in the 21st century.
Fine Line could sound a lot less like the song a wise man would sing to his grand-son wile imparting a "werther's original" if it had a blast of "Why don't we do it on the road" when done live...
31 - Maart
Fine Line could sound a lot less like the song a wise man would sing to his grand-son wile imparting a "werther's original" if it had a blast of "Why don't we do it on the road" tagged on the end when done live...
32 - Gordon Hauptfleisch
Hey JG: Let the record show that Paul McCartney lets us lackeys know: the proper spelling of "endeavor," that the proper term is "hangers-on" (not "hanger-on's"), and that "surely moves nothing of consequence," surely means nothing of consequence.
33 - Eric Berlin
Great read as always, DJR! I need someone to make me a best of late-era McCartney CD as I haven't the time nor inclination to put it together myself but when the right song(s) hit me I really am in heaven.
34 - LARRY
I purchased pauls new album the day it was released and have enjoyed it ever since, its not the Beatles or wings its McCartney.I have enjoyed the last 25 years of his solo work.He still rocks,he still tours, and thank god sir paul still makes music.
35 - hart
Actually, i personally agree with you DJ, as the album gets better with repeat listening 'English Tea' tires... i think 'growing up falling down' [beautifuly dark] would have made an ideal middle section and English tea a novelty b-side.
but hey, McCartney is as McCartney does right.
36 - Petal Blossom
"English Tea" is not that bad- there are some great songs in the album but also a fair share of "filler" which is why he did not win but no one will admit it. "This Never Happened Before" is so sugary, it should come with a coupon for dental work. In it, the most complex rhyme he seems to come up with is "be' with "see." It's terrible. "How Kind of You" is an experiment gone wrong, "Fine Line" is so forgettable, it's not worthy to be on it.
"Too Much Rain," "Friends to Go," "Jenny Wren," and "At the Mercy" are excellent songs, though- but he seems unwilling to keep that kind of quality up throughout the whole album, which is a shame. He doesn't seem to realize that something like "This Never Happened Before" is bad, and that is his achille's heel that will always bring him down.
37 - DJRadiohead
"This Never Happened Before" is not the strongest track on the album. It's a little too saccharine for me but not nearly as insulting as "English Tea."
38 - Susan
I felt the same way about English Tea when I first heard it--how embarrassing. I still think the words are embarrassing--but I've started liking the tune. I think the music on this album is really different and I like it! Some of the lyrics are terrible. I wish he'd put more thought into the lyrics. You get the feeling that he writes it once and then that's it--no more working on the lyrics. The music, on the other hand, is creative. And the minor tone throughout most of the album is wonderful.
39 - aldo
this is the best mccartney album in years and considering he played all the instruments, the best artist of the year. I lkie English Tea.
My favorites in order are:
1. Too Much Rain 2. friends to Go 3. Vanity Fair 4. Jenny Wrenn. 5. Fine Line 6. promise to you 7. A certain softness. 8. Anyway 9. Follow Me 10. This never happened before(yes he needs to ryhme better)11. English Tea 12 At the mercy. oh yeah I don't like How kind of you-but it's growing on me
40 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
great review, DJ. i missed this when it came out, i meant to get it a few times and then, well, i never did. But this has reawakened that glimmer of an idea along the lines of "yeah, best i hear this here record by him out the rolling stones". i'll pick it up in some manner fairly soon.
great stuff.
41 - DJRadiohead
Thanks Duke. I have to say I was surprised how much I liked the record. I didn't think I would. It's very good and relatively cringe and filler free. It's worth picking up and spinning a few times without question.
42 - JP
I do enjoy this, although I think it's a bit overrated - I do enjoy the understated playing that Nigel brought out of him. That said, I'm still somewhat partial to Flaming Pie of late.
43 - Bob Rice
"English Tea" is the best first listen song on the album. I was quite happy that it was included in the most recent tour's song list. Where I would completely agree with this review is that the overall album grows on you. 6 months after buying it I'm just now starting to really appreciate it.
44 - Mark
Petal Blossom have you no soul?!
'This Never Happened Before' might have simple rhymes but listen to the music...it's incredibly moving. Or do you not like 'She's Leaving Home' from Sgt.Pepper either? Again, simple rhymes - but when your musical backdrop is so clear and poignant, are you really going to start cluttering it up with Dylan-esque lyrics that get in the way of the music?
I think the words to the two above-mentioned songs are perfect, in that they are unambiguous and allow the listener to lose him/herself in the music.
And I do feel sorry for Sir Paul in light of recent events, as 'This Never Happened Before' comes across to me as a genuinely heartfelt statement.
45 - Jeff Gordon
Josh, why to do you "have to kick around.." anybody? Why not just relax and enjoy the depth and intellect of these classic artists? These songs are ahead of their time and will outlive us both. For all you positive comments, I think you're right on!