CHAOS AND CREATION IN THE BACK YARD

CHAOS AND CREATION IN THE BACKYARD : After having gone through a few torturous album from our now Sir Paul McCartney, I was quite cautious about his new release. This was a critically acclaimed album which was produced by Radiohead's Nigel Godrich at the suggestion of George Martin. This album could have been called "McCartney 3" 'cos here Paul played almost all the instrumentals himself. This album also marks the first time since 1984's "Give My Regards To Board Street" that Paul did not produced any of his music. The sound here is vastly different from what we are used to hearing from Paul. I was all ready to buy this. I went to the shop and tested a few of the tracks. On first hearing, I find it was just horrible and I just couldn't accept it and I left without buying. After a few weeks, I  mustered up enough courage and purchased it after all. After repeated listening, I began to appreciate the hidden beauty that was this album. Truly, his best since "Flaming Pie" and there really isn't a bad tracks here. My faith in Paul McCartney was completely restored.

Fine Line ( McCartney ) : The first single from this album and it's easy to see why. This uptempo could have you up and tapping your feet. 

How Kind Of You ( McCartney ) : I've been singing the first line to my kids for weeks till they wanna scream. The instrumental ending however, is too long. Would have been great if Paul have trimmed it slightly. Still, great stuff.

Jenny Wren ( McCartney ) : In the mould of 'Blackbird', this acoustic track rest easy on the ear and was the next single. The kind that Paul excelled in.

At The Mercy ( McCartney ) : An average song but with a killer bridge that raised it above the average.

Friends To Go ( McCartney ) : Another fine track. The kind of songs that is instantly pleasing to the ear.

English Tea ( McCartney ) : This one actually conjured an images of people drinking English tea, what else on a bright sunny day in an English garden.

Too Much Rain ( McCartney ) : Paul's sense of melody is clearly intact as this track shows.A beautiful melody coupled with beauty singing.

A Certain Softness ( McCartney ) : I was tempted to write this as a lesser track but changed my mind as I listened on. It's pure bliss listening to this.

Riding To Vanity Fair ( McCartney ) : After the avalanche of find songs, this one sounds slightly lesser in quality. Still not enough to press the skip button.

Follow Me ( McCartney ) : My firm favourite here. This one struck you as been very familiar. Curious that it wasn't released as a single. The melody and hook is one of Paul's best that hacked back to his best works.

Promise To You Girl ( McCartney ) : Paul is certainly on a roll here. Almost every song here is a gem. This one started out as a ballad and soon let ripped into the hardest track here. A pleasant of pace.

This Never Happened Before ( McCartney ) : Yet another gem. Paul certainly redeemed himself many times over with this release. One of instantly liked songs.

Anyway ( McCartney ) : The last song but certainly not the least. The melody is classic McCartney. In true Beatles traditional, just when you thought the song was over, it picked up speed and goes all instrumental almost as long as the original song, but who's complaining.

DOP : 15th March 2006.