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All4one · 2012-08-02 06:12:55

McCartney - Paul McCartney
ALBUM REVIEW
by All4one

RATING - 8/10

Nobody saw it coming. The Beatles probably did, but nobody else expected a band who had just done so much for the music industry to go their separate ways. Even if the Beatles did know it was about to happen, it was still as big of a blow for them as it was for their fans.

Ok, I'll admit, there were a couple of hints at their impending break-up here in there, for example in 1969, when John Lennon released and recorded his debut solo single, "Cold Turkey". Or even earlier in 1968, when George Harrison released his debut solo album - "Wonderwall Music", which was actually recorded as early as 1967.

So, all in all, due to this bit of evidence floating around, maybe there were some fans who suggested a breakup might happen. And, much to their dismay, they were correct. Man, have you ever been so depressed about being right?

On the year they officially broke up, 1970, each band member released their own solo album, whether it was their first or not (*cough* George Harrison *cough*).

So, as mentioned before, the Beatles' break-up was a large dent in the shield for everyone, including the Beatles themselves, and so it only makes sense that some of this impact would carry over to the music.

And out of the all the solo albums the band released in 1970, "McCartney" may sound the most wistful. While the others were probably already interested in pursuing their own careers, Paul was the one trying to unite the quartet and try his best to keep them together. It was almost as if he was the only one interested anymore.

So, on "McCartney", you can hear his reactions to the break-up loud and clear - you can tell that he sounds a bit less forced, like there's a huge load off his back now, but you can also hear a little bit of disappointment and sadness.

In fact, more or less, the album is mostly comprised of thoughtful, mind-searching ballads strummed quite simply on the acoustic guitar. You could say that this was Paul trying to further the "back-to-basics" territory he attempted to explore on "Let It Be", but at the same time, this quiet, tranquil sound probably matched his feelings at the time.

Things do liven up now and then, like on "Man We Was Lonely", a rather bouncy folk-pop song, or on the bluesy rock jam "Momma Miss America", but most of the time, Paul is just plucking his guitar, singing in a calm voice that almost seems to drift off into other thoughts at times.

However, McCartney saved the best for last, with "Maybe I'm Amazed" appearing nearly right at the end. It ended up being easily the most popular song on the album, and one of his most popular non-Beatles songs ever, even if it wasn't released as a single (though it definitely had potential as one).

But why did it end up earning the status it gained?

You might answer - "Well, it's a strong, powerful track - one of the catchiest songs on the album".

Yes, that's true, but why is it the strongest track on the entire LP? Because for the first time for the entire album, McCartney finally redeems himself, and begins to realize that he can do just fine without the Beatles, and he can have a solo career that can be just as successful.

As it shifts from a brooding piano ballad to an all-out rocker, you can just hear Paul's confidence level grow higher and higher until it's basically soaring through the roof.

And so, it's a very important track, not just in that it could have been the saving grace of the album, but in the realizations that Paul makes in between every line.

This song, and the entire "McCartney" album, was the sound of a brand new artist being born from the ashes of an old one.

Last edited by All4one (2012-08-15 17:08:57)

jji7skyline · 2012-08-02 07:58:25

Paul McCartney by himself is great. He's like a turbo charged motorbike. But that motorbike has only one cylinder. The whole Beatles are like a real 4 cylinder super car. Both are fast, but one is faster tongue

wiimaster · 2012-08-02 09:44:27

That was a brilliant post, very well written and informative.
I'm gonna be honest here: I never really listen to that album very often. In fact, I've never listened long enough to here the so called 'big finish'.
I have a soft spot for the Beatles.... I HATE that they split up. They were THE BEST of the best. The world's greatest band. And nowadays, that is practically a fact, not just an opinion. The Beatles rule.
But listening to that song for the first time, gave me the same feeling Paul probably had while singing it. I know I'm a bit late - this was from what... the 70s?
McCartney has been doing perfect on his own. He is amazing, the god of music, he is right up there with Cohen, Dylan, Jackson, and even his old friend Lennon.
Thanks for posting that!

All4one · 2012-08-02 17:09:19

Thanks for the compliments. big_smile

I'll post up more album reviews in the future then!

sanddude · 2012-08-11 14:24:12

wiimaster wrote:
That was a brilliant post, very well written and informative.
I'm gonna be honest here: I never really listen to that album very often. In fact, I've never listened long enough to here the so called 'big finish'.
I have a soft spot for the Beatles.... I HATE that they split up. They were THE BEST of the best. The world's greatest band. And nowadays, that is practically a fact, not just an opinion. The Beatles rule.
But listening to that song for the first time, gave me the same feeling Paul probably had while singing it. I know I'm a bit late - this was from what... the 70s?
McCartney has been doing perfect on his own. He is amazing, the god of music, he is right up there with Cohen, Dylan, Jackson, and even his old friend Lennon.
Thanks for posting that!

They should have split up.

It's better to end it before things get bad than overstay your welcome. If you saw The Rolling Stones in the eighties you'd know what I'm talking about. They have a very consistent career with many classic albums. It should stay that way. Plus, without the break-up we wouldn't have John and George's amazing solo careers.

imnotbob · 2012-08-11 14:31:51

sanddude wrote:
wiimaster wrote:
That was a brilliant post, very well written and informative.
I'm gonna be honest here: I never really listen to that album very often. In fact, I've never listened long enough to here the so called 'big finish'.
I have a soft spot for the Beatles.... I HATE that they split up. They were THE BEST of the best. The world's greatest band. And nowadays, that is practically a fact, not just an opinion. The Beatles rule.
But listening to that song for the first time, gave me the same feeling Paul probably had while singing it. I know I'm a bit late - this was from what... the 70s?
McCartney has been doing perfect on his own. He is amazing, the god of music, he is right up there with Cohen, Dylan, Jackson, and even his old friend Lennon.
Thanks for posting that!
They should have split up.

It's better to end it before things get bad than overstay your welcome. If you saw The Rolling Stones in the eighties you'd know what I'm talking about. They have a very consistent career with many classic albums. It should stay that way. Plus, without the break-up we wouldn't have John and George's amazing solo careers.

That's a really good point.

@All4One: Nice big_smile You should do one on Paul's most recent singing =P

All4one · 2012-08-14 05:00:05

imnotbob wrote:
sanddude wrote:
wiimaster wrote:
That was a brilliant post, very well written and informative.
I'm gonna be honest here: I never really listen to that album very often. In fact, I've never listened long enough to here the so called 'big finish'.
I have a soft spot for the Beatles.... I HATE that they split up. They were THE BEST of the best. The world's greatest band. And nowadays, that is practically a fact, not just an opinion. The Beatles rule.
But listening to that song for the first time, gave me the same feeling Paul probably had while singing it. I know I'm a bit late - this was from what... the 70s?
McCartney has been doing perfect on his own. He is amazing, the god of music, he is right up there with Cohen, Dylan, Jackson, and even his old friend Lennon.
Thanks for posting that!
They should have split up.

It's better to end it before things get bad than overstay your welcome. If you saw The Rolling Stones in the eighties you'd know what I'm talking about. They have a very consistent career with many classic albums. It should stay that way. Plus, without the break-up we wouldn't have John and George's amazing solo careers.
That's a really good point.

@All4One: Nice You should do one on Paul's most recent singing =P

I could do his entire discography if you wished. tongue

Speaking of which, I'm also taking requests on albums to review. I'll review anything, I have access to literally any album. big_smile

Last edited by All4one (2012-08-14 05:00:22)

NeilWest · 2012-08-15 12:18:16

Brilliant and informative, keep it up! You also inspired me to write my own album review of For Lack of a Better Name by Deadmau5.

Oh and BUMP.

All4one · 2012-08-15 17:08:05

NeilWest wrote:
Brilliant and informative, keep it up! You also inspired me to write my own album review of For Lack of a Better Name by Deadmau5.

Oh and BUMP.

Awesome, I'll check it out now! I'll also post another album review soon. smile

Last edited by All4one (2012-08-16 17:37:08)

soupoftomato · 2012-08-15 20:22:57

All4one wrote:
sanddude wrote:
wiimaster wrote:
That was a brilliant post, very well written and informative.
I'm gonna be honest here: I never really listen to that album very often. In fact, I've never listened long enough to here the so called 'big finish'.
I have a soft spot for the Beatles.... I HATE that they split up. They were THE BEST of the best. The world's greatest band. And nowadays, that is practically a fact, not just an opinion. The Beatles rule.
But listening to that song for the first time, gave me the same feeling Paul probably had while singing it. I know I'm a bit late - this was from what... the 70s?
McCartney has been doing perfect on his own. He is amazing, the god of music, he is right up there with Cohen, Dylan, Jackson, and even his old friend Lennon.
Thanks for posting that!
They should have split up.

It's better to end it before things get bad than overstay your welcome. If you saw The Rolling Stones in the eighties you'd know what I'm talking about. They have a very consistent career with many classic albums. It should stay that way. Plus, without the break-up we wouldn't have John and George's amazing solo careers.
Speaking of which, I'm also taking requests on albums to review. I'll review anything, I have access to literally any album.

Pirate?
Youtube?
Pandora if there's a mythical album feature I haven't heard of?

jji7skyline · 2012-08-15 20:27:18

soupoftomato wrote:
All4one wrote:
sanddude wrote:

They should have split up.

It's better to end it before things get bad than overstay your welcome. If you saw The Rolling Stones in the eighties you'd know what I'm talking about. They have a very consistent career with many classic albums. It should stay that way. Plus, without the break-up we wouldn't have John and George's amazing solo careers.
Speaking of which, I'm also taking requests on albums to review. I'll review anything, I have access to literally any album.
Pirate?
Youtube?
Pandora if there's a mythical album feature I haven't heard of?

Maybe his dad owns a CD shop? wink

soupoftomato · 2012-08-15 20:32:25

jji7skyline wrote:
soupoftomato wrote:
All4one wrote:
Speaking of which, I'm also taking requests on albums to review. I'll review anything, I have access to literally any album.
Pirate?
Youtube?
Pandora if there's a mythical album feature I haven't heard of?
Maybe his dad owns a CD shop?

"literally any"

I'm pretty sure no average CD shop can encompass that.

Last edited by soupoftomato (2012-08-15 20:32:46)

veggieman001 · 2012-08-15 20:55:21

Or just Spotify.

All4one · 2012-08-16 01:57:13

YouTube, pretty much. tongue

jji7skyline · 2012-08-16 03:18:44

All4one wrote:
YouTube, pretty much.

lol tongue

Scratch

archived forums

#1 2012-08-02 06:12:55

'McCartney' - Paul McCartney (1970) - Album Review

#2 2012-08-02 07:58:25

Re: 'McCartney' - Paul McCartney (1970) - Album Review

#3 2012-08-02 09:44:27

Re: 'McCartney' - Paul McCartney (1970) - Album Review

#4 2012-08-02 17:09:19

Re: 'McCartney' - Paul McCartney (1970) - Album Review

#5 2012-08-11 14:24:12

Re: 'McCartney' - Paul McCartney (1970) - Album Review

wiimaster wrote:

#6 2012-08-11 14:31:51

Re: 'McCartney' - Paul McCartney (1970) - Album Review

sanddude wrote:

wiimaster wrote:

#7 2012-08-14 05:00:05

Re: 'McCartney' - Paul McCartney (1970) - Album Review

imnotbob wrote:

sanddude wrote:

wiimaster wrote:

#8 2012-08-15 12:18:16

Re: 'McCartney' - Paul McCartney (1970) - Album Review

#9 2012-08-15 17:08:05

Re: 'McCartney' - Paul McCartney (1970) - Album Review

NeilWest wrote:

#10 2012-08-15 20:22:57

Re: 'McCartney' - Paul McCartney (1970) - Album Review

All4one wrote:

sanddude wrote:

wiimaster wrote:

#11 2012-08-15 20:27:18

Re: 'McCartney' - Paul McCartney (1970) - Album Review

soupoftomato wrote:

All4one wrote:

sanddude wrote:

#12 2012-08-15 20:32:25

Re: 'McCartney' - Paul McCartney (1970) - Album Review

jji7skyline wrote:

soupoftomato wrote:

All4one wrote:

#13 2012-08-15 20:55:21

Re: 'McCartney' - Paul McCartney (1970) - Album Review

#14 2012-08-16 01:57:13

Re: 'McCartney' - Paul McCartney (1970) - Album Review

#15 2012-08-16 03:18:44

Re: 'McCartney' - Paul McCartney (1970) - Album Review

All4one wrote:

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