Paul McCartney

Should popular music's most successful composer reinvent himself? Producer Nigel Godrich squeezed the ex-Beatle but ultimately -- and triumphantly -- settled for building soundscapes to showcase McCartney's proven talents. Little Richard's influence on a Liverpudlian teenager feels fresh, while songs such as "Riding to Vanity Fair" reveal a surprising emotional range.

The premise of Paul McCartney working with Nigel Godrich was clear from the start.
McCartney wanted a producer who appreciated his storied past but at the same time
believed that, at sixty-three, he has a vital future. For his part, Godrich -- who is
best-known for his work with Radiohead and Beck -- had expressed interest in
collaborating with an established artist whose reputation extended further back... More >

Paul McCartney's collaboration with Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich aroused hopes and fears better expended on the fate of social security, or maybe Pamela Anderson's love life. McCartney's first studio album since 2001--not so long in an artist of his accrued wealth and advanced years--most resembles his eponymous 1970 debut. Like that breakaway, it's slight and spare and fundamentally honest, with McCartney playing most of the instruments. But between his improved chops, the latest synthesizer technology, and Godrich whispering in his ear, it's rather straight where the debut was eccentric and charming. As the proudly "twee" "English Tea" makes brutally clear, charm doesn't come so easily to McCartney anymore. And though it's good of him to put in a word for kindness and creativity, wisdom doesn't seem to have taken charm's place. (Grade - **)