Paul McCartney - Memory Almost Full [Deluxe Limited Edition]
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Free Music Notes for Memory Almost Full [Deluxe Limited Edition]
Free Music Review: I DOUBLE DOG DARE YOU TO DISPUTE THIS RATING: MACCA'S STILL GOT IT...
Hit: 5 Stars
Yup. The pipes are still working and he's still young at heart. I can't believe he's still at it! He should also be known as the "Energizer Bunny". Evaluating an entire album of new Paul McCartney material is no easy task. It's not like listening to one or two tracks and deeming it a hit or miss. I can analyze the crap out of this CD but really all music is emotionally driven for both artist and fan no matter what the "critics" say. I dare anyone to say that it isn't. I listened through it a few times - the first without prejudice; the second analytically; the third just for enjoyment - and behold, it was Good. And the more I listened to it, the more I liked it.
The songs that really caught my attention and that I immediately liked are: "Mr Bellamy" which has an interesting contrast between Paul's lead vocals and his "rescue workers" voice; music is rich and absorbing. Paul mentioned in his interview that the name Mr Bellamy sounded like someone who's a "jumper". "You Tell Me" is a beautiful bittersweet melody done with the accoustic guitar, what Paul does best. The beginning sounds like something that could be backmasking, you tell me. "Dance Tonight" is very catchy, light hearted and foot stompin' helped by the use of the mandolin. There are others I like ("Gratitude" is getting a "love it" or "hate it" rating), "House of Wax" and "Ever Present Past". I do believe that "Why So Blue" could have made the cut.
All in all, his efforts on the entire CD use masterful changeup and variation of instruments, diversified as usual and expected, some of Paul's old tricks in there and nothing VULGAR. How novel is that by today's standards?? Much of today's music couldn't hold a candle to Macca and what he has achieved in his lifetime, I'd like to see them try. Makes me feel like rolling down the windows and blasting MAF from my car (which I do) but my stereo can't compete with the "Boom Boom Boomin' bass" that shakes cars and shatters glass - maybe I should call up Xzibit to Pimp My McCartney??
He still has his pipes, although they are showing a bit of wear and have lost some of their gloss; but by no means does it detract from the overall genius put forth for this marvelous effort. Does anyone really expect him to sound like he's thirty?? Look at the other old rockers who can't even croak out a tune anymore, I say Kudos for 40+yrs of belting the tunes out! Put The Stones to bed, but by all means let Sir Paul rock on!
We tend to hold Macca to higher standards, as well we should! The lyrics overall are good although I must admit that some of the lyrics have patches of weakness (see your sunshine, nod your head). Chaos (which I love) is flavored much differently from MAF but both are enjoyable.
Since I'm a young fan, thanks to my older brothers leaving Beatles and Macca records hanging around for me to "borrow", I wonder what the fans think when they hear a 65 yr old man singing "She makes me feel glad, I want her so bad". Are they thinking "Dirty Old Man" or "You Go Pops"? I wouldn't want it confused with background music for a Viagra/Cialis commercial (joking). Same thing with the bonus track 222.
Side notes on the video, packaging and production: Video was ok, I felt it would have worked better with more humor injected into it and possibly another visitor on the scene. Opening the CD package for the first time was like opening a gift (ooh, what's this?), but now it's bothersome. I would have preferred the fold out on one side, enough with the Origami. Production could have been better, but it's acceptable. I think Chaos was better produced but I'll absolutely listen to both cds as the mood grabs me.
Thanks for reading my review! I hope you found it to be enlightening and entertaining. Long live Macca!
Free Music Review: Paul McCartney's Best Album
Hit: 5 Stars
"Memory Almost Full" is Paul McCartney's best album since The Beatles, with not one clunker. The album covers his musical history from The Beatles, Wings to his solo career with an updated touch, making a consistent whole. It's also briming with McCartney's optimism, which you don't find in most music today. The album blew me away when I first listened to it. He really uses his voice on this album and lets loose, which on many of his solo albums, he kept it restrained for some reason.
"Dance Tonight" is a great album opener as Paul plays the Ukelele and sings a very catchy tune that will get stuck in your head.
"Ever Present Past" is the first single off the album and is pure McCartney pop at its very best. Its a companion piece to "My Brave Face" and sounds like it could've been Paul from the 80s, but much better.
"See You Sunshine" - This song is a great, happy song that is a mix between Wings and The Beatles. It has some great Wing-like harmonies with a rocking, middle verse that could've come straight from The Beatles.
"Only Momma Knows" - I never thought I would hear the Wings sound again from Paul, since he usually skips the Wings period for The Beatles. When I first heard this song it put a smile on my face. The song is a mid-seventies rocker, think "Junior's Farm" and "Jet." It's the Wings at their best, also check out Paul's vocals at the end when he goes up an octave. Would sound great Live.
"You Tell Me" - Is a guitar-based ballad, with Paul's most haunting vocals as he recalls memories of summers Past with a loved one and questioning if the feelings that had and the time they spent together really happened. He keeps asking the person, an ex-lover, "You tell Me." Great lyrics.
"Mr. Bellamy" - A highlight on an album full of highlights. This could've fit nicely on Sgt. Pepper and is very Beatley. The song is humorous, catchy and can work on so many levels. It could be about about a cat stuck in a tree or a person on top of a building. Mr. Bellamy could be Paul and how he doesn't want to be with someone, "No one to hold my hand." Or it could be about anyone's one life and at times how you just want to get away from everyone and be on your own and leave all the chaos behind.
"Gratitude" - Filled with Optimism and Thanks. Paul uses his "Little Richard" voice on this one and the vocals are amazing. Why hasn't he used this voice more often in his solo carreer. He thanking a loved one, (Heather?), for the time they spent together even though she did him wrong and they aren't together anymore. If this song is about Heather, most people would write a bitter, angry song, but not Paul. He wrote one of thanks, which is very impressive.
"Vintage Clothes" - A fine start to the album-closing Medely.
"That Was Me" - Great song as Paul recalls his past. I love his vocals at the end when he lets loose.
"Feet In The Clouds" - Paul sings about his youth and how he was a dreamer with his feet in the clouds. Nice, Beach Boy vocals in the middle, vodocoder, Cher style.
"House of Wax" - Another highlight and would sound great live. A seventies, mystic rock song that the Wings could've done at their best, but never did. Paul's vocals are outstanding as he lets loose and belts the lyrics out of the areana.
"End of the End" - Paul sings about his own death, but with his optimism firmly intact. He tells us not to be sad because he's going on to a better place. Also a nice whistling section that recalls John Lennon.
"Nod Your Head" - Paul doesn't want to leave the album on a downer, so he rocks hard. This compact, rocking song is just under two minutes long with blistering vocals from Paul. It's over, leaving you wanting more.
Free Music Review: Dance Around to his Best Album Yet...
Hit: 5 Stars
This is a review song by song of MAF on the first time through listening to it... May contain spoilers on arrangements and things
Dance Tonight:
Good opening number could be a greater ending track. Only Mama Knows could have better, but we will get to that later.
Ever Present Past:
Good lyrics, classic pop Macca... Really like the "things I think I did" part, really catchy tunes
See Your Sunshine:
This is a track that be with Paul for a while, it is a soft ballad, probaly will be a favorite track to most.
Only Mama Knows:
Probaly the most hard track on the album. It almost combines Helter Skelter with strings. Really personal type song too. The strings at the beginning would make it a better opeing than in the middle of the album.
You Tell Me:
Would have to say the weakest track on the album. Paul's voice is so strained that it really sounds aweful. The lyrics are great and the arrangement is nice.
Mister Bellamy:
Well, theres not much to say about this song. Alot of suprises. Probaly one of Paul's best songs ever. His voice is all over the place in this song. Its almost like when he is singing normal he is Mr. Bellamy, when he is the deep voice he is someone trying to get Mr. Bellamy or something. It sounds like Mr. Bellamy is trying to commit sucide or do something terribly wrong. Personally this song makes it the defining song on the album.
Gratitude:
This song is almost soulful. There is really no words for this song. Its really the kind of song that if you listen to it and like it, you will continue to like it. If you don't like it the first time you probaly wont like it the second time. The Bridge makes the song and the horn solos.
Vintage Clothes:
Part 1 of the medley. This is a really fun song. This is sorta like a poppy Beatles song. Got a really good piano riff in it. It will grow on you. Almost a message with "Don't live in the past." What that means I'm not sure.
That Was Me
Part 2 of the medley. Another song thats a lot of fun to listen to. Beginging with alot of acoustic and bass following a guitar riff. Really good harmonising with himself. Really good stuff.
Feet in the Clouds:
Part 3 of the medley. An acoustic track with drums coming in. Talks about being upside down, and finding it very, very, very, very, very, very, very hard.... People who are a fan of the acoustic Macca songs you will love this track.
House of Wax:
Darth Macca.. I mean this is dark Macca. This song is almost a step to emo status for Macca. Actually nothing that I have ever heard from Macca before. Actually good, and scary all at the same time.
End of the End:
This track was a almost uplifting and sad song at the same time. It talks about going to heaven, and dying, talks about how he wants to be remembered as being a fun loving type of person, not an old bean. Lyrically this is the song of the album besides Mr. Bellamy. "No need to be sad when I die, just sing my songs."
Nod Your Head:
This should be played after Let Me Roll It in a medley. This is a true rock song. I wish it was longer though musically. Just a great ending. "If you really like this album nod your head."
Now in stars:
Musically: *****/*****
Lyrics: *****/*****
Arrange: *****/*****
Although the album has one weak track in You Tell Me, this album makes up for it in every where else.
5 Stars.
McCartney's Masterpiece.
Free Music Review: Stunning, absolutely stunning
Hit: 5 Stars
First, I'll admit that I'm biased. I love all of Paul's albums. Every one of 'em--for different reasons, perhaps. But they all are loved.
Memory Almost Full cycled about 10 times in my player during the day, but I've heard it in full perhaps only twice, and even those times were with less than full attention given that I had to deal with other stuff while listening.
So, I can't post a full thoughtful reivew. I can only post impressions, but sometimes impressions are where the truth lies. Here goes.
On MAF, Macca is not only playing music, he's playing WITH music, which I find cool indeed. Music is his toy, the thing that he loves to play with most. When I took the CD out at the end of the day and looked at the toys depicted on it, I thought how fitting. It's awesome that those toys are on there. Nifty, nifty surprise. I get it, Paul.
Here are the impressions I jotted down on the first listen:
Dance Tonight, EPP--we've heard them, no surpirses there.
See Your Sunshine---classic Macca.
Mama Only Knows--the strings at the beginning are awesome.
You Tell Me--this one grabbed my attention right away. I stopped what I was doing and listened.
Mr. Bellamy--wow! Everything works in this one. So playful. Definitely would like to see it done in concert. Who is Mr. Bellamy? Well, rather than thinking of him as a guy like Fool on the Hill, I prefer to think of him as a cat. I've known cats who are Mr. Bellamys. For sure. I'm not comin' down, and you can't make me. What a giggle.
Gratitude--the harmonies! Wicked awesome.
Vintage Clothes--Beatles-style harmonies. Calls forth memories of ... some Beatles tune....but I can't pick it out exactly yet.
That Was Me--another wicked awesome cut
Feet in the Clouds--fantastic middle eight.
End of the End--this got to me big time. Tears on the first listen. Moving piece, this.
Later in the day, after listening (with interruptions) several times, I was aware of what a journey this album takes us on--it's a real trip--and that End of the End is a calm soothing finish. It reminded me of the end of a roller coaster ride, when you're breathless with excitement but sort of glad to be back on solid ground. Then, Nod Your Head takes us back up a little to nicely meet up with the beginning Dance Tonight, where the ride starts all over again.
All in all, the word that came to mind when I tried to decide what MAF is was "fresh." This is a side of McCartney we haven't heard before. Together, I think Chaos and Creation in the Backyard and Memory Almost Full are Paul's most innovative and creative works. C&C on the dark side, MAF on the fun side, a light side, a happier side. Something inspired this man to dig deep to his roots and release the spirit that previously created Obladi and Rocky Racoon and the like. And MAF is certainly just as trippy as any of the Bealtes albums.
MAF turned out to be a huge surprise, even after reading so many reviews. There's so much to disover here. I've uncovered the surface, but below are other layers that I expect will astound me.
I'm stunned, and MAF is a stunning album. To say "Well done, Paul" is a serioius understatement. MAF is a wonderful present from Paul to us. Thank you, Sir.
Free Music Review: ...the closest thing you'll get to McCartney, the man, artist, and living legend!
Hit: 5 Stars
It was 43 years ago today...when the Beatles conquered the music charts with timeless classics, and stole the hearts of pretty much everybody on the planet. Almost half a century later, two of the founding members, John and George, are deceased, and here we have the third founding member, Paul, still releasing records. Who knew?
What's different about Paul's latest album, Memory Almost Full, is that the aging artist is more aware of his status amongst musical legends, and yet isn't frightened to face the audience with a song like the wonderful The End Of The End, where he explains what he would like to happen on the day he dies, "on the day that I die, I'd like bells to be rung, and songs that were sung, to be hung out like blankets..." The staightforward comment sets a certain theme to the album, which to some might seem dark and sad, but not at all. Let's not forget that Paul has lost his former bandmate George and wife of 30 years, Linda, just over the past 10 years.
Memory Almost Full is Paul's love message to the fans that have adored him since it all began, the younger fans who follow in his footsteps, and his old friends. The opening track, Dance Tonight, is an ode to Paul's earliest work circa McCartney, a nice, catchy accoustic number where Paul declares that everybody should just have some fun; in other words, an excellent way to begin an album. The album also features some of Paul's best work in recent times. Ever Present Past, one of my favorites on Memory, is a delightful slow rocker and surefire hit, if it's ever released as a single, where Paul sings about how he dealt with his famous past and how it "flew by in a flash". The splendid Gratitude is where Paul pays his respect and many thanks to the fans and everybody who's loved him over the years. On the medley that includes Vintage Clothes, That Was Me, and Feet In The Clouds (an obvious homage to the b-side of Abbey Road), Paul indulges further in self-reflection creating one of Paul's greatest contributions to modern rock. Mr. Bellamy could be Paul's first psychedelic experimentation since Sgt. Pepper's. It's a cross between Eleanor Rigby, and John Lennon mind benders like Tomorrow Never Knows, a track so good it could easily fit on Revolver, Abbey Road, or even Sgt Pepper. The dark hard rockers Only Mama Knows and House Of Wax, which is another of my favorites, show Paul's ability to pen powerful rock songs, with some banging guitar solos to go with it, echoing his classic Helter Skelter from 1968's The White Album. Of course, no Paul album could go without sweet ballads, which in this case comes to us in the form of You Tell Me, and See Your Sunshine, a warm bluesy song which ranks up there as one of Paul's finest songs ever.
I haven't felt this excited about a former Beatle's solo album in a long time. Memory Almost Full not only delivers the goods that will satisfy any Beatle-hungry fan like myself, but it's also the closest thing you'll ever get to McCartney, the man, artist, and living legend.
Track picks:
Dance Tonight
Ever Present Past
See Your Sunshine
Mr. Bellamy
Vintage Clothes
That Was Me
Feet In The Clouds
House Of Wax
The End Of The End
Highly Recommended
A