Paul McCartney: ‘Chaos and Creation in the Backyard’
The CD: “Chaos and Creation in the Backyard” (Capitol)
PERFORMER: Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney has a hard job these days. He has created some of the most beloved music in the world over the past four decades. Now, when he releases new music, it invariably gets put into competition against his legendary back catalog of music, both as a Beatle, and solo. That’s the problem facing his new album, “Chaos and Creation in the Backyard.” As good as it is in places, it will always recall his greater musical triumphs.
“Chaos” is a pretty good album, probably McCartney’s strongest effort lyrically in years, but the music is a little underwhelming. Tempo-wise, Sir Paul doesn’t seem to break a sweat on this album.
While McCartney is an acknowledged master of the ballad, you could always count on him to unleash the occasional blast of hard rock, like “Helter Skelter,” “Spin It On,” or “Angry.” This new collection of songs doesn’t really have a killer rock number. There are some up-tempo pop tunes, but maybe at age 63 McCartney has decided to leave the harder stuff to the younger fellows. It’s a shame, because if this album had a little more an edge to it, it could rank with his best work.
Standout tracks
Recorded solo by McCartney (playing all the instruments himself), with outside production by Nigel Goodrich (Radiohead), this CD sounds beautiful. The production and arrangements are pure ear candy for Beatle fans. Unfortunately, the tunes aren’t up to McCartney’s usual standards.
Standout tracks are the first single (and Lexus commercial jingle) “Fine Line,” which features the jumpiest music on the CD and some very clever wordplay; “Jenny Wren”, a story song of a young woman, lyrically in the vein of “She’s Leaving Home” and “Eleanor Rigby,” but musically a descendant of “Blackbird”: and “English Garden”, which shares it’s title with a song by his former bandmate Ringo Starr, from his “RingoRama” CD–perhaps a nod to the obsessive Beatles fans who are still looking for “clues” on every album. Ringo’s song quotes the chorus from McCartney’s “Let ‘em In.”
The rest of the album is pleasant enough, but very….’somber’ isn’t the word I’m looking for, but it does describe the tempo of most of the CD. You’re not likely to come away from this CD humming anything. It’s a shame, because even the musically boring tunes, sport very clever lyrics and great production. “Chaos and Creation in the Backyard” is a solid effort, but it has the unfair disadvantage of having to compete against so much legendary music from McCartney. I have feeling that this CD will age well, and perhaps grow on me as time goes by.
A special edition is available, featuring the CD, and a bonus DVD that includes a documentary on the recording of the album, instrumental versions of some of the tracks, animation, and more.
