I totally get it. Everyone wants the meister’s album to be a ‘meisterwerk’ because (in the UK at least) we love artists who are old and still around doing things. Like Hockney. Or Alan Bennett. We are kind in reviews of recent doodling and scribbles because we appreciate how good they once were, the pleasure they all brought us and- crucially perhaps- the awareness that they will die soon and no one wants hem to go out on a bummer two star review. So everyone is loving the new Paul album and that’s really nice. But, after a few listens, surely someone has to own up to the fact that there’s nothing on it that could possibly have made it past an A&R person if it hadn’t been by…you know…(whisper it) the Chief Beatle. He used to be able to toss off mini masterpieces like Step Inside Love or Come and Get It without a moment’s apparent effort. Those were the days my friend. We thought they’d never end. But, sadly, they have. It’ll probably go to number one.
Macca’s new one
Have you heard it? Is this a review?
I have heard it. Is it a review? What is a review? Discuss using one side of the paper provided.
Ha! I see no paper…Hardy, break out the Foster Grants…
I like it. There are some lovely tunes and some balls out rock. And his fragile voice adds to its charm. It’s definitely a fine addition to his post Beatles catalogue.
Paul himself has admitted that he is ‘the Beatles’ greatest fan’ and that, of course, is perfectly fine. But (there was always a ‘but’) I am getting rather tired of the sentental self-mythologising. He handled his mortality rather effectively on the’Memory Almost Full’ album but I feel that the fuzzy-eyed backward fixations on this set are bordering on mawkish. I remember reading that he missed John telling him ‘no’ sometimes and that he tried to find similar sounding boards with people like Elvis Costello but, really, at the end of the day (and since the end of the Beatles) no one will ever say ‘no’ anymore. Which is a shame. I feel John would have vetoed at least nine of these tracks. We all love Paul’s younger self. But Paul probably hates him for the impossible standards he set.
But two listens in, I agree with Eddie – mawkish is as good a word as any.
4 more to go
I was pleasantly surprised as I thought the lead off single was pretty terrible in most respects. It really doesn’t reflect most of the remainder of the the album, however, and it feels like the ultra cracked and croaky voice on the single may have been a choice?
Anyway, the album is “OK” and not a lot more than that. Can’t see me going back to it that often but, tbh, I’m glad he’s still here and able to do it at all.
I gave it a listen and thought it was enjoyable, but hardly up there with his best stuff. To understand the positive reviews, it has to be placed within the context of some the tosh he’s seen fit to put out over the years. It’s no Band On The Run; but at least it’s no Press To Play either. He’s Beatle Paul, so we’re going to cut him some slack.
Macka is certainly putting some work in to promote the album.
A Finnish friend on Ibiza who is a lifelong Beatles fan just sent me this.
Do you all know this Amanda Dimoldenberg? I googled. She’s a 32-year-old English comedian, writer and presenter and the creator and host of the web series Chicken Shop Date.
That led me to Paul Mescal interviewing him.
That’s two interviews in local caffs. What’s that all about?
What a remarkable memory Paul has.
…But it’s Almost Full.
The Amelia Dimoldenberg one is great as he’s clearly enjoying the silly bants. I like her Oscars conversations with Billie Eilish, Mark Ruffalo etc too
You’re right @slotbadger. She can be silly and a little outrageous with him in a way that those of us who grew up with the Fabs and worship the ground he stands on could never manage.
He must love being interviewed by younger people for whom he is not on a pedestal. My Finnish friend tells me she has watched and enjoyed ten of these recent interviews.
Like David Attenborough, he’s a beloved national and international treasure. A tonic for our troubled times. What his new album is like doesn’t trouble me too much.
He’s still having fun and so are we.
Very well said, @kaisfatdad
Thankyou!
I think we should review David Attenborough like we do musicians: “the new series had its moments, but let’s be honest, there was nothing there nearly as good as the mountain gorillas”.
That Chicken Shop Date interview is lovely – Paul should get Amelia to do all his publicity appearances from now on – her cheeky delivery brings out the proper twinkle in him.
The Attenborough Backlash (TMFTL) starts here!
My mum, 93, has just decided she won’t watch anymore of his programmes because she doesn’t like the sound of his voice….
Well Gerald’s mother liked him. (One for the older posters.)
…Along with her friends in the whoop.