Paul McCartney - Memory Almost Full

Here is my review of the new Paul McCartney album ‘Memory Almost Full’.

Dance Tonight
Very simple, very clean, very fun. Interesting choice for a album opener. Leaves the listener feeling good – but wondering what kind of Macca album are we getting this time out. Paul has said he learned YET another instrument for this one – the mandolin. The lyrics make me feel like Paul is announcing to the world that's he's getting on with his life with this song. I can’t help but think of George Harrison when I hear this track.

Ever Present Past
Already this album is more up tempo then the last albums. Paul talks about his younger days, ‘when I was a kid’.? This is the first of many introspective lyrics on this CD. Very autobiographical.

See Your Sunshine
A great 70's feel to this one. Very simple lyrics to this song but it fits. The backing vocals are what gives it a very 70's theme. Listen to the bass licks in this song. Macca's can still slam on that thing!

Only Mama Knows
Well here's where David Kahne comes into play. It begins with a little strings intro kind of like ‘English Tea’ only it's all done on a keyboard. But it doesn't last for too long before the guitars EXPLODE into a such a rocking Macca track that we haven't seen in a long time! This sounds like a old 70’s Wings arena rocker!

You Tell Me
Starts off with some backwards organ. Paul stretches his vocals for this one. This is a nice little uneasy sad sounding ballad.

Mr. Bellamy
Wow. Mr. Bellamy to me is nothing like Paul has ever done. This song is by far one of the greatest songs on the album. It includes a nice little piano ending too. A great track from start to finish. Paul's piano is brilliant.

Gratitude
A gospel like number. Paul sings a bluesy tune about showing his Gratitude. The songs highlight is when Paul screams PRAY!!! Great stuff

Vintage Clothes
It sounds like a vintage song to match the vintage clothes. Very late 60's - early 70's feel. A very jazzy drumbeat during parts of it. This is a very "Feel Good" song with great harmony's.This is also the first track the the medley which is pretty much just bridged by a little guitar riff.

That Was Me
Wow, I loved this song right away. Great sounding tune. A bluesy rocker. Paul sings about his life and when he was a kid and even when he was in the Beatles. No doubt in my mind right now this is one of the best songs on the album. Paul starts screaming at the end and it's just brilliant!

Feet in the Clouds
A ok enough easy going track. Paul says VERY 6 times in the chorus. Perhaps my least favorite on the album. Kinda just plods along. David Kahne kicks in with his keyboards again towards the end.

House of Wax
One word to discribe this song... POWER. Paul's vocals have echo and flange added on them. Paul turns a simple little poem into a musical epic! The guitar work is great. The last minute and a half of this song will knock your socks off! Just stunning Paul!

The End of the End
Paul talks about the day that he dies. It's not an easy song to listen to. Paul sings about how he had a good life, and heaven must be really good cause it had a great time on earth. Nice song structure setting the intense mood.

Nod Your Head
Paul seems to be sticking these odd little rockers at the end of his albums. Driving Rain had Rinse the Raindrops, Chaos had I've Only Got Two Hands and now Nod Your Head. A rocking track that sounds a bit like his "That's all for Now" song he did on Chaos and Creation at Abbey Road. Throw away lyrics on this one. I guess he didn't want to end the album with such a solemn tone of ‘The End of the End’

Paul’s classical work has definitely altered his song writing. The song structures that frame these songs have classical themes throughout which makes this a very enjoyable album. Various music styles and Paul’s reflective mood make it a nice music roller coaster ride.
Where will this fall in his musical cannon? To soon to tell and I’ll need more listens, but this is pretty good stuff!!
4 out of 5 stars.