Memory Almost Full - Paul McCartney > Reviews > McCartney's best since 'Flaming Pie', or beyond...

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money	Good

Advantages:	Excellent album .
Disadvantages:	Strange photographs on the insert .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

With 'Memory Almost Full', Paul McCartney shows once again why he's regarded by so many as the greatest songwriter of the last century. Sure, there are some tracks that don't quite work, but can you name an album where you like every single song?

The CD kicks off with the catchy single 'Dance Tonight', which isn't my favourite by any means, but it's a decent enough tune. The next track, 'Ever Present Past' is much more in keeping with the rest of the album- fast-paced, with a strong rhythm, and a chorus that's almost impossible not to sing along to.

'See Your Sunshine' is a typical later-years whimsical McCartney tune. An amusing, pleasant song, but nothing to shout about here.

Track 4, 'Only Mama Knows' is a real highlight. At first the track lulls the listener with a bout 45 seconds of strings... and then Paul picks up his guitar. A proper Macca rocker, this one is reminiscent of the Wings years, and wouldn't be out of place on 'Back to the Egg'.

'You Tell Me' is a tune that sounds as though he was thinking about how much her preferred Linda to Heather when he wrote it, and the result is something of an average album-filler.

'Mr Bellamy' is a darkly amusing tale of misfortune- it's an unusual track that I know is not to everyone's taste, but I love it. There's some musical experimentation, which Sir Paul is entitled to indulge in by this stage of his career, with both instrumentation, and the vocals- he sings the part of Mr Bellamy, as well as a fire chief. At least, that's who I think it must be. I think there's something allegorical in Mr Bellamy's tale, but haven't figured out what it is yet.

Track 7, 'Gratitude', isn't one of my favourites. Whereas much of this album would sit well with 'Band on the Run' (or Back to the Egg, as mentioned above), this one would be more at home on 'London Town'. Enough said.

'Vintage Clothes', however, is worth buying the album for alone. The melody is unconfinedly (is that a word? It should be!) joyous, and it's all I can do to not jump up and dance whenever it comes around.

'That Was Me' is an entertaining autobiographical snippet, and 'Feet in the Clouds' is a light and airy ode to growing up that's worth repeat listens.

The volume picks up again with 'House of Wax', which sits comfortably before 'The End of the End'. The feel of this end of the album is quite reflective, and a little valedictorial, with TEOTE including wishes for Macca's funeral. It's not as morbid or strange as it sounds, and it serves its place well on the album.

Finally, 'Nod Your Head' is great fun. Sometimes, I do.

All-in all, a first-rate album. The tracks stand on their own, and manage to add to each other on the disc.

By the way- the strange photos on the insert include one of Paul doing what I can only describe as 'Blue Steel'...