The Fireman and Youth Paul McCartney - Electric Arguments
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Free Music Notes for Electric Arguments
Free Music Review: Off The Map and Nailed To The Wall!
Hit: 5 Stars
While Paul's first LP 'McCartney' established him as an individual apart from the Beatles, the rest of his post-Beatle music always seemed like he was trying to recapture that Beatles Pop sound -- with mixed success. ELECTRIC ARGUMENTS has Paul looking ahead instead of behind. He has clearly found his "voice" on this venture and the result is astounding. It's somewhat like an EVOLUTION of the Beatles' sound and not just a rehash of a proven formula. It's also an evolutionary step for Paul and his music. He's always been held to the Beatle standard and now he actually raises the bar. For many fans, ELECTRIC ARGUMENTS is the McCartney album they always knew he could make -- but never did. That's changed. Very possibly, this is the best Paul CD/LP since Sgt. Pepper.
It's that good!
The producer, Youth, shares in the credits here. This is tricky stuff. In unskilled hands it could have been a flushing disaster. As it stands, Youth and Paul are at the pinnacle of their art with an abundance of sonic nuance layered over minimalist ideas. (Is "complex minimalism" an
oxy-moron?) Anyhow, two master weavers have sown together a beautiful sound tapestry. That may be a bit cliché but it's true none-the-less. Youth grabs the concept and nails it to the wall.
The songs are basic Paul but the presentation is anything but basic. In the past, Paul's done some great stuff with dumb lyrics as well as some dumb stuff with great lyrics. With few exceptions, Paul has never been able to wander off the middle-of-the-road without falling into the ditch on either side. Paul would fail when he tried to rock TOO hard and also fail if he would wallow the other way into new age trance. With this CD, Paul blows that theory off the map. In the end it's always the arrangement that wins over your ears and heart. Here he arranges his voice more as an instrument than just a delivery van for his lyrics. Youth blends all the elements together in an intoxicating cocktail for the ears. Most of the songs have great intro and outro as well. There's a
consistency of a total package here that invites being opened again and again.
1. Nothing Too Much Just Out Of Sight: The title sums it up pretty well. A nice ride with no destination. Possibly the weakest song on the CD, but giving a hint of better things to come.
2. Two Magpies: Very spontaneous, "living room" atmosphere. His laid back vocal fits well.
3. Sing The Changes: The kind of song that would get U2 a Grammy. Perfect.
4. Traveling Light: A mystical sojourn. Some old Donovan-style magic at work here.
5. Highway: Like being in the fast lane with Beck at the wheel.
6. Light From Your Lighthouse: Again, perfect! Imagine Tom Waits singing with A3.
7. Sun Is Shining: Another sunshine song and a real delight. Is that a "na na na na na" nod to Paul Simon? Who cares? It works.
8. Dance 'Til We're High: Yes, it's another pop song but again done to perfection. This could compete with any tapes in Phil Spector's wall of sound archives.
9. Lifelong Passion: It's a relic, it's sooooo psychedelic. Nice to know that George's influence still lingers.
10. Is This Love?: Shows us that Paul has mastered trance. Think Brian Eno and Popol Vuh.
11. Lovers In A Dream: More trance but in the style of 'Riders on the Storm' by the Doors.
12. Universal Here, Everlasting Now: John Cage meets Mike Oldfield and the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
13. Don't Stop Running: A great song to end the CD, then two minutes of silence and a fabulous kicker.
"That's basically it."
MADER Method of rating: (scale of 1 to 5 for each element for a total of 25 possible)
M: Material (composer) 4
A: Arrangement (performer/producer) 5
D: Delivery (artist/group) 5
E: Energy/Vibes/Spirit (artist/group/team) 5
R: Recording Quality (engineer) 5
24/25 96% 5 stars!
Free Music Review: All over but the (electric) shoutin'
Hit: 5 Stars
Until sometime during my college years, my rudimetary understanding about the division of labo(u)r in Beatledom was as follows: John Lennon was the edgy experiementalist while Sir Paul McCartney wrote the pretty pop tunes. While there is some validity to this perspective, I later learned that Sir Paul was a lot more responsible for the Beatles' trip into a more avant garde-influenced psychedelic sound than I had previously realized. For example, the tape loops on "Tomorrow Never Knows" (the closing track on the psychedelic Revolver album) were largely McCartney's idea, which came from experimenting with removing the erase head from the tape recorder which the band was using at the time (you can look this up and read the whole story if you so desire). If you consider these early products of studio experimentation to be a form of electronic music- making (or "electronica"), it seems like McCartney was an original pioneer in the pop-electronica world.
McCartney's solo work after the dissolution of the Beatles did not, until 2008, really seem to follow up on the possibilities of electronic experimentation which the former Beatle had pioneered. He preferred a more stripped-down sound which served him well but didn't do much to change his reputation as being purely a popster. However this disc (which many view as a departure but which actually could be seen as a return to his experimental roots in the Beatles' mid-period) shows the aging star still willing to experiment with new, edgier sounds.
When I heard about this one I approached it with trepidation, picturing McCartney singing over some kind of thumpy club music in an effort to appear relevant to the kiddies (the image I had in my head was of U2's Pop, easily my least favorite in their catalog). However I read enough good reviews to take the plunge and am I ever glad I did. This thing is a flat-out masterpiece.
I don't know much about the musician(s) involved in this project beyond McCartney, however I can say that the former Beatle has found a great musical partner (the producer Youth) who is able to tastefully integrate modern electronica into McCartney's world without disrupting the fundmental McCartney-ness of the music. That is, Paul McCartney may try a lot of different things sonically, but everything he does is stamped with his unique musical persona. Youth respects that and works with it rather than trying to work around it or cover it up. Some of this material rocks harder than anything McCartney has recorded in decades (the opening track for example), some is reminiscent of White Album-era Beatles ("Two Magpies"), or even bluesy and Zeppelinesque ("Highway," my favorite track here). "Lovers In A Dream" is a bit heavier on the programming and electronics, but it works and is always interesting. Overall this is one for the ages, and shows how timeless electronic-tinged rock can be when the musician(s)/producer(s) respect each others' space and don't try too hard.
As a closing thought, it's remarkable how committed Paul McCartney seems to music these days. His last few releases have all been great, thoughtful works. This one adds some edge to his sound. He's even going to be playing Coachella this year, alongside young acts like TV On The Radio. The man could easily be resting on his laurels by now, content with an already solid reputation. However, he seems to legitimately love keeping his audience on its toes with a steady stream of new tricks tucked neatly up his well-worn sleeve. I can't wait for his next one.
Free Music Review: Spirited and Spiritual
Hit: 5 Stars
This album is amazing, from first play.
Electric Arguments has a youthful, exuberant, yet sad feel about it. One gets the sense the artist is traveling to that "final" place, but going out in Glory. Songs of light and soul-travel seem to dominate the theme. Paul's voice is as powerful and nearly as clear as ever. It's amazing too the extent to which McCartney's repertoire of styles is collected here on this one album. Some songs take you back to the Band on the Run Days, some back to his first two solo albums, some to the experimental electronica-laden McCartney II, and more. This may be one of his finest albums ever, maybe EVEN the finest, especially being the granddaddy rocker he now is. All the while sounding completely off-the-cuff, natural and spontaneous. Like an experiment gone wonderfully right.
The opener, Nothing Too Much Just out of Sight, wails amazingly as if straight out of the White Album and moves right into the soft and jazzy Two Magpies (again, reminiscent of Blackbird), while the U-2-like Sing the Changes is anthemic and almost holy. The Celtic Travelling Light is mature and moves right into another rocker, Highway (harks back to a BOTR sound), followed by the gospelish Light from your Lighthouse.
Everything's on this album -- a taste for everyone, a morsel of just about every Macca style. The track arrangements nicely alternate between rockers and hypnotic, soothing, and poppy music. My favorite song is Sun is Shining (very infectious and pretty, almost hippy in its eternal Paul optimism), Dance 'Til We're High is angelic, and Lifelong Passion (with its electronica) is experimental. Is this Love? is lamenting and longing and sad. Lovers in a Dream is of the nature-world with its electronic animal-like sounds. Universal Here, Everlasting Now captures in slice-of-life fashion the everyday moments forever; it is haunting -- as birds sing and dogs bark against a Revolution #9 type backdrop -- and eerie, like traveling the world in five minutes. Don't Stop Running is dreamy and yet energetic, and it mesmerizes, as the whole album does. Most songs run over 4 minutes long.
This album is beautiful, anthemic, deep, high, spiritual, sad, childlike, mature, magnificent, and energetic and eternally optimistic. It is Paul McCartney epitomized, come full-circle.
I love the minimalistic and childlike, primary-color accompanying concept booklet. I only wish there was more in the way of text. Some liner notes or something. Some info on the collaborating artist, the instruments and equipment used. Some lyrics. Maybe I miss the point. I must confess the concept of this album escapes me (I must have missed out somewhere, as I read others' comments, and I must confess I've been a spotty McCartney fan over the decades). I almost gave this album 4 stars, only because I believed I preferred CCB and MAF, but the more I listen, the more I turn toward giving this album 5 stars after all. I really must. It's more subtle, and yet more grand -- and therefore a masterpiece. A crowning achievement. Especially knowing Sir Paul probably spat it out just like that.
Free Music Review: The Sun is Shining
Hit: 5 Stars
Simply put: awesome. I'm a huge Beatles fan, and Electric Arguments is the best thing I've heard by one of the Fab Four outside of the Beatles catalog. I can't recommend it enough. Paul McCartney (all instruments) and Youth (producer) reunite for their third album. I've heard their earlier stuff; don't expect much of that if you're already familiar with it. This time around, they find the perfect blend of classic rock, progressive rock, blues, and electronica (don't let that scare you away). There's also some pop thrown into the mix.
Electric Arguments can be divided into two halves. The upbeat half (tracks 1-8) and the mellow progressive half (tracks 9-13). The second half might be a little offsetting to people who aren't used to the genre, but it's well done and a great introduction to progressive rock.
*Nothing too Much Out of Sight - (9/10) Remember "Helter Skelter?" Screaming McCartney makes his glorious return. Great harmonica, thundering bass. The howling at the end is a nice touch.
*Two Magpies - (8/10) A nice acoustic guitar driven song. Sounds like typical McCartney.
*Sing the Changes - (9/10) Feels like the anthem of the album. This is the type of song that's meant to be played in a stadium. Probably because of the echo effects.
*Traveling Light - (8/10) Here's where progressive influences become noticeable. Good song to play in a car at night.
*Highway - (10/10) I love this song. It's a straight up rocker with a great piano beat.
*Light From Your Lighthouse - (9/10) Very catchy song. I love the multiple vocal tracks and the acoustic guitar solo. It sounds like there's eight McCartney's singing together.
*Sun Is Shining - (10/10) Beautiful song. Probably my favorite off the album. Set this one to your alarm clock. It paints a great picture of the title.
*Dance 'Til We're High - (9/10) Continues with the tone of Sun is Shining. Except now there's an orchestra! Great conclusion to the first half.
*Lifelong Passion - (8/10) Mellow, murky, and earthy.
*Is This Love? - (8/10) Mellow, murky, and desperate. Beautiful song.
*Lovers in a Dream - (7/10) A hazy electronica track that veers off into the abstract.
*Universal Here, Everlasting Now - (7/10) A calming piano plays while a dog barks and an alarm clock goes off. A couple minutes in, a steady beat sets in with a fast acoustic guitar.
*Don't Stop Running - (8/10) A final song that feels like a final song. Nice closer.
Total time: 63 min
Pros:
-Very unique and diverse
-Keeps you interested; lots of replay-ability
-The first and second halves have different moods, so you can listen to one at a time (I find myself listening to the first half during the day.) The album is long enough to do this.
Cons:
-If you're only in it for the silly love songs and want to hear classic McCartney, you may be disappointed. This doesn't sound like any of his other work.
Free Music Review: Best album of 2008
Hit: 5 Stars
13 songs in 13 days. No written lyrics, no other musicians to help, nothing but the improvisation of one man both on vocals and on instrumentation. And he puts out the best album of last year. Impossible? Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, that man is Paul McCartney. He's that guy from that band, you know.
The album starts off with a screamer, and it seems like it's directed at his ex-wife (he sings - or screams - about giving love and getting betrayed). In fact, if you read the lyrics of all of these songs, even though they're improvised there is actual meaning and symbolism and metaphor you can derive from the words. There is some poetry here.
"Two Magpies" is sweet and understated, it's kind of like you're listening in to Paul while he's alone with his guitar and reminiscing in song. The best word to describe "Sing the Changes" is BRIGHT. The album has a lot of references to light, and that's probably why this is the single - you can practically see the light while listening to this. "Traveling Light," the fourth song, is the opposite - it is dark, mysterious, with a haunting vocal from Paul.
"Highway" is the kind of 70's rocker they don't make anymore. It has Wings written all over it. "Light From Your Lighthouse" is maybe the catchiest song on the album. Paul double tracked it with a very high vocal and a very low vocal, giving it a very funky sound. At this point in the album you may find yourself dancing, or at least bopping your head and mouthing the lyrics.
"Sun is Shining" is just a beautiful song; if you saw the light earlier in the album, now it's just pouring in. In "Dance 'Til We're High" Paul unintentionally made a great Christmas song, there's just something very Christmas-y about it, and I don't mean in a cheesy way - I can imagine it in a great movie, in a scene with snowflakes falling and a family dancing together.
"Lifelong Passion" should be listened to with your eyes closed - it's a richly visual song. These are the first three lines:
Step into the misty mountains
With your hair like ambered honey
To feeling warm and breezes
He improvised that!? Well, you'd think the rest of the album would be filled with duds, filler material, but it's not. "Is This Love" is a very meditative song with beautiful music and light, distant vocals - I think George Harrison would have liked it. I think John would have liked the next song, "Lovers In A Dream" - it's very psychedelic - the kind of song the Beatles would have released to trip people out (like Revolution #9). The album ends with two experimental instrumentals, "Universal Here, Everlasting Now" and "Don't Stop Running."
Well, I've done my sales pitch for the day (it's the least I could do for the guy who has given me so much great music to listen to). If you're still reading this that means you haven't clicked Add To Cart yet. Go on, buy this album!