Memory Almost Full

May 29, 2007
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as a lifelong Paul McCartney fan, it’s great seeing all the buzz about his latest release Memory Almost Full. the new album’s getting great reviews from fans and critics alike. plus tons of press and even a music video by the great Michel Gondry featuring Natalie Portman. wonderful stuff. it’s still a bit surprising to think that the man is a grandfather and he can still rock with the best of ‘em. what is the source of his drive and inspiration? how can he still come up with great melodies and ear catching hooks after all these years? obviously there’s no stoppin’ Macca.

with Memory Almost Full, you’ll find McCartney’s strongest set of songs in years. Now, I personally wasn’t all that impressed with McCartney’s last effort Chaos and Creation in the Backyard even though most critics hailed it as a McCartney classic. I thought the songs were a bit uninspired and the vocals captured for the record just made him sound tired and old. On Memory Almost Full on the otherhand, McCartney sounds as youthful as ever with renewed enthusiasm and energy. Just take a listen to him singing Only Mama Knows, a rocker that sounds like it was recorded back in the 70’s and not by a man who’s well into his sixties!!! amazing stuff. the album is pretty solid from start to finish. i do have to admit i personally feel the first two songs at the start are the weakest of the bunch- the opening mandolin chords on Dance Tonight sound like they were taken straight off of The Traveling Wilburys’ End of the Line. and part of the melody in the verse of Ever Present Past is the same as the old standard, Don’t Get Around Much Anymore (which McCartney covered back in 1987). but once the listener gets to See Your Sunshine, the music and lyrics become sweeter and much more memorable.

highlights of the album include: Only Mama Knows, See Your Sunshine, Mr. Bellamy and The End of the End.

amazing work by an artist that still knows how to surprise and delight even after all these years.

Tracklist:

1. Dance Tonight
2. Ever Present Past
3. See Your Sunshine
4. Only Mama Knows
5. You Tell Me
6. Mr. Bellamy
7. Gratitude
8. Vintage Clothes
9. That Was Me
10. Feet In The Clouds
11. House of Wax
12. The End Of The End
13. Nod Your Head

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music, reviews by retroDan

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