New - Track-by-track thoughts
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LetMeRollIt89:
I would love to see a chart or graph with everyone's favorites ranked. It would be interesting, to say the least, seeing as how there are so many different/contrasting opinions and a number of similar ones. Quite entertaining to see the debating and discussion. I just got off the phone with a friend of mine who grew up with Beatlemania, has been a McCartney-influenced songwriter for 4 decades, and feels that Flowers In The Dirt was the last great solo album. He thought New was around okay, but overhyped and nothing special. I argued and bantered with him about it, as friends do. He likes "New" and the chords of "Everybody Out There" grew on him; he thought "Save Us" was decent, but overall he was disappointed and felt that Paul has run out of steam. I may have disagreed with him quite a bit, but it was even better when we both agreed on something. Amazing how one man's music continues to drive us - one way or the other.
Sadly, I agree with your friend! 'Flowers' was a real peak, I feel. Not sure Paul's run out of steam yet, but I am disappointed with the direction he has taken with 'New'. Apart from the wonderful Save Us.
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lisalou7:
We're a diverse bunch aren't we, I think that is PM fans all over! I think this album is stupendous. Its really cohesive, flows easily, has all the trademarks of a Paul album, fabulous melodies, quirky lyrics, wonderful musicianship. There isn't a duff track on here. The only song that sounds slightly forced is Everybody Out There. Possibly Paul is guilty of songwriting by numbers here. My 5* go to Road, Hossana, Early Days & Alligator. I think my favourite track is a toss up between Road and Hosanna. Road is very different/amazing/wow/ wasn't expecting anything like this. The bass is off the wall! If anyone says Paul hasn't got it still, I'll stick this one on. Also loving Turned Out ( deliciously melodic). I think this is classic Macca! Infectious. Queenie Eye, very quirky, lyrically clever. Save Us much better on the recording, more subtle with great vocals. On My Way to Work is a charmer, reminds me of English Tea. Its very knowing. Great vocals again. I actually also love Get Me Out of Here, its very funny. Like a long lost relative of Rocky Racoon. Appreciate is an ear worm with a real groove going on, again not expected. Growers but liking more are Looking at Her and I Can Bet. Not instant but already thinking I've under valued Looking At Her. New is sweet and toe tapping with a nod to his past. Scared is stunning, with the piano leading the way. Very beautiful. So for me its a winner all the way.
Not sure what other people are listening to!
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3rd time around on my MP3...Much diff view....WOW ...and I just got my MOJO and My NEW LIGHTt cube!!!! what a day!!!
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lisalou7:
We're a diverse bunch aren't we, I think that is PM fans all over! I think this album is stupendous. Its really cohesive, flows easily, has all the trademarks of a Paul album, fabulous melodies, quirky lyrics, wonderful musicianship. There isn't a duff track on here. The only song that sounds slightly forced is Everybody Out There. Possibly Paul is guilty of songwriting by numbers here. My 5* go to Road, Hossana, Early Days & Alligator. I think my favourite track is a toss up between Road and Hosanna. Road is very different/amazing/wow/ wasn't expecting anything like this. The bass is off the wall! If anyone says Paul hasn't got it still, I'll stick this one on. Also loving Turned Out ( deliciously melodic). I think this is classic Macca! Infectious. Queenie Eye, very quirky, lyrically clever. Save Us much better on the recording, more subtle with great vocals. On My Way to Work is a charmer, reminds me of English Tea. Its very knowing. Great vocals again. I actually also love Get Me Out of Here, its very funny. Like a long lost relative of Rocky Racoon. Appreciate is an ear worm with a real groove going on, again not expected. Growers but liking more are Looking at Her and I Can Bet. Not instant but already thinking I've under valued Looking At Her. New is sweet and toe tapping with a nod to his past. Scared is stunning, with the piano leading the way. Very beautiful. So for me its a winner all the way.
Great review Lisa
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Two listens and then playing some of my already favorites like Queenie Eye. Impossible to play the "better than such and such a previous album game" but some random observations. *Save Us a very good way to open it up, nice placement. *I like how we go, lyrically, from Early Days to New in the track placement. His past placed with his present. Early Days is very moving, very pretty, made me think of my only early days in the 1970s, although I certainly didn't go on to fame and fortune, the older I get, the more I relive them. *Queenie Eye is in a class by itself, as Steve said on here, an instant classic. Just fantasic. *Everybody Out There is very strong, vocals better in studio than live, of course. *Echos of Electric Arguments on some of the songs. *Turned Out is a nice, hot little rocker. *The opening guitar and general sound of Take Me Out of Here sounds like a song off Led Zeppelin III, can't remember the name of it. The hidden track, Scared, is a pleasant addition and I always welcome his piano ballad. Everybody out there, enjoy this great new album!
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I feel so left out mostly everyone has the cd but me. :but that is going to change this weekend.
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Not a bad album per se, but there is nothing "new" here. Its an ironic album title. At this point in Macca's career, I just wish he would stop thinking about what the "fans" want & just make different, experimental records he hasn't done before. Electric Arguments was brilliant. Wish he would make more records in that vein. 'Dance till we're high' had more emotion than anything on this album.
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After 20 or more plays I still love it I have not yet skipped a track. It just keeps growing on me
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After more listens, Hosanna is the low point. Very little there. Queenie Eye is still outstanding.
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JoeySmith:
Not a bad album per se, but there is nothing "new" here. Its an ironic album title. At this point in Macca's career, I just wish he would stop thinking about what the "fans" want & just make different, experimental records he hasn't done before. Electric Arguments was brilliant. Wish he would make more records in that vein. 'Dance till we're high' had more emotion than anything on this album.
I think the title of New provides a nice contrast with the contents of its predecessor, KOTB, which could have easily been called Old, his compositional contributions excluded. As for its content, they are varied and pleasing. In fact, some of the tracks near the end could fit on Electric Arguments. Queenie Eye is outstanding.
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Can't find anything wrong with this album, except Hosanna was overhyped. But that's the only teeny flaw I found in the album.
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B J Conlee:
Guys and ladies, I just picked up the CD this morning (great deal at Target). I think some of you are "jumping the gun" here relative to rating each track and comparing to other Paul CD. I know from the past that it will take me at least 3-4 weeks of consistent plays before I get a good feel for a Paul album. Invariably a song that I thought was one of the best becomes one in the middle and vice versa. You also can't be distracted. You really have to have quiet time with a Paul album (certainly not at work). I like what I hear generally so far but it will take me quite a lot longer to decide if "new" is a good, fair or great Paul album.
I listened to it just now for the first time. My initial thoughts are I like it but don't love it. I don't think it is as good as CHAOS or MAF in listening enjoyment. I will not go track by track but the songs I have liked the best at this time have been the songs McCartney has played live. That being said, I believe "Save Us" would have been better than "Queenie Eye" as a 2nd single. I did not like songs like "Hosanna" or "Appreciate" as much as I thought I might before my first listen. Songs that I liked better and right below my favorites were "Road","Turned Out" and "I Can Bet".
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Love " I Can Bet " ! It just screams out "single" to me. (Any justice , and it would scream "hit single")
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sarah1471:
Beatles4Ever&Ever:
sarah1471:
Ok so I have spent the day (whilst working) listening constantly to the album. Like all fans I was desperate for this to be brilliant.............but apart from a few songs this is not (for me) a great one.. Save Us 8/10 Alligator 8/10 On My Way Back to Work 2/10 Queenie Eye 7/10 Early Days 6/10 New 8/10 Appreciate 2/10 Everybody Out There 8/10 Looking At Her 2/10 Road 9/10 Hosanna 0/10 I Can Bet 7/10 Turned Out 4/10 Get Me Out of Here 4/10 Scared 0/10 So five songs out of 15 that I love....but TWO should have been binned and will be "skipped" for ever more.....................this is JUST MY opinion. Scared is just "lazy" song writing and Hosanna....................Yawn
'Hosanna' is the only song I'm still trying to "like". I fully expected to love it based on what Ethan Johns said ages ago about it being so gorgeous. Perhaps it should have been a bonus song with 'Turned Out' replacing it in the lineup. It is certainly at least a 6/10 or 7/10, however. Maybe higher. It is Paul being vulnerable and wanting someone to help him through the night...that sort of feeling. I may end up liking it quite well. 'Scared' is a very nice hidden track. It's quite lovely and Paul shows his vulnerability, once again, on that track extremely well. I would certainly give it an 8/10. At least. It's certainly not lazy song writing to me. Not at all. There's not a filler on the entire album....and that includes the bonus and hidden cuts. This, to me, is the best post Beatles' album Paul has done! Period. And that it comes exactly 50 years after the term 'Beatlemania' was coined in Britain is quite a fete and makes it all the more remarkable! No one is equal to Paul now....not even Dylan or Paul Simon.
Each to their own
My 3least favorites... On My Way to Work Hosanna Scared
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Shawn:
After more listens, Hosanna is the low point. Very little there. Queenie Eye is still outstanding.
Love Queenie!
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Okay my thoughts on the album after three full listens... 1. Save Us- I'm in love with the recording! It just sounds so much better to me than the live versions he's done so far and I really can't put my finger on it. I really came into the album expecting to not like this but it's one of my favorites...a very nice opener! However, I would've opened with "New". 2. Alligator- I can't get into it. I don't understand the lyrics and I think it's a stupid name. I don't like the synth crap either. It's one of multiple examples of songs that sound like they are trying too hard to be New on this album. 3. On My Way To Work- Catchy melody with typical chord structure. A nice McCartney harmony line too. But lyrically, it sounds like something he probably should've given to Ringo...I think the skip button will have a one-two punch with Alligator & this song back to back... 4. Queenie Eye- Another one that shockingly has grown on me. I think the melody is still a little too buried in the mix. But I can dig it. I still think it's overhyped by the fans so far and definitely should not have been the second single. However, I do really enjoy this track...it's got a great groove and I think it would hold up well with "Save Us" in the opening electric section of the live show. 5. Early Days- I was expecting something really pathetic and got the complete opposite. I wish the range wasn't so ridiculous on this song, because it would be a very moving moment on stage but there's no way he could sing this every night. I think it sounds very liverpudlian, and I've never been there! It takes me to that pre-Beatle time. I think this one also is not so gently touching on the Lennon-McCartney issue which Paul seems to be bringing up a lot lately, especially in his setlist! I really enjoy this one though, nice imagery. 6. New- I know it sounds like typical McCartney but I don't care, that's what got me here and this one is by far MY FAVORITE! THERE! It's gonna be great to have this when I'm Paul's age and say yep, that catchy little kick ass ditty came from him at 71! 7. Appreciate- I hate the drums and the overall production. It sounds like crap. It's downright terrible. Did Yoko drop by for this one? 8. Everybody Out There- This is gonna be GREAT live. The recording is good and I enjoy it. There's a lot of energy in this one and I can just see Brian crouching down and shaking his head to this acoustic riff....a nice tambourine part too! 9. Hosanna- This was a let down. This was the first song I heard about for the album and I was expecting something on a "Blackbird" level. Once again, the production was a leading factor in my disappointment. 10.I Can Bet- This should have been the follow up single instead of Queenie Eye. I love it! My third favorite track on the album. I hope this sees the light of the stage, but I have a feeling the ticket buying fans will get screwed out of this one. 11.Looking at Her- Once again, the drums ruin it for me. The production is just so bad. It sounds so falsely modern. It's a shame, because these songs probably could've been more welcoming to me if they had been approached with a different kind of refreshing. It just sound so electronic and terrible. 12.Road- I can't even wrap my head around this. It's like an overload of good and bad and it just feels very loose and "out there" 13. Turned Out- Should not be a bonus track...there are a number of songs this one could've replaced. It would fit perfectly in on this album. 14. Get Me Out of Here- I'd like to see this one on the regular album too. This Deluxe nonsense is getting old. It's stripping the artistic value from Paul. I'm not sure how much say he has in it all or if he really realizes it. 15. Scared- Again, CLASSIC MCCARTNEY. Don't care what you all say...this is my second favorite. This would've fit right in on Chaos. I can't wait to learn this one. So my three faves? New, Scared, I Can Bet My bottom three? Hosanna, Appreciate, Looking at Her
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Okay. 5 listens so far. It is growing on me. My thoughts on each track Save Us Solid little rocker. B+ Alligator Weird, but interesting tune B On My Way To Work Very very McCartney-like. The line about the magazine was great songwriting B+ Queenie Eye Wow!! The best Wings song of the decade! A Early Days Hard to listen to, but in a good way. B New Reminded me of Memory Almost Full; again in a good way B+ Appreciate Ah, not doing it for me. Parts are pretty cool, but just ok. C Everybody Out There Arena Rock Lite. Not bad. C+ Hosanna Pretty nice little tune, but a bit tedious. C+ I Can Bet Another Wings-like rocker and thats just fine with me. B Looking At Her Just love this tune for some strange reason. B+ Road Experimental song that just didn't click totally, but still kind of liked it B Scared Great lyrics, average tune B Anyway, my two cents. Still, a new McCartney album is always a highlight.
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Mumbojunk:
RMartinez:
If I am harsh, it is because I expect greatness. Since 2002, I have heard McCartney just doodling a lot in the studio, lots of studio tricks and sounds that may come off as "modern" but are not songwriting. Some things on FLOWERS, OFF THE GROUND and FLAMING PIE had this vibe, but mostly those albums had songwriting, Paul McCartney songwriting on them. A lot of what I hear in the last eleven years is just "vibes" and "grooves" and Paul repeating a vocal riff or something.
I'm afraid I tend to agree with the above. On first impressions, I'm fairly underwhelmed with the album. It makes me laugh when people talk about 'Press To Play' being over-produced, but I feel that is indeed the case with 'New'. The flashy production, while interesting for the most part, covers up the fact there are precious few strong songs on it. I think Paul can still write them - 'Memory Almost Full', My Valentine and (I Want To) Come Home proved that - but on this album he seems more interested in making 'cool', hip sounds than crafting sturdy, melodic tunes with good lyrics. The exception is Save Us, which I absolutely love. Wish the rest of the album had been as good.
Sorry, but all the songs are very well written. Just ask the critics....the majority of 'em. I, unlike you, on the other hand. am overwhelmed by the entire album because it's Paul at his best and he has the producers that can pull it from him...get him out of his comfort zone. This is THE ONE ESETNIAL MCCARTENYE ALBUM I WILL ALWAYS HAVE WITH ME. IT''S TH ONLY ONE I HAVE IN ITS ENTIRETY ON MY IPOD!!!! Love it.
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Beatles4Ever&Ever:
Mumbojunk:
RMartinez:
If I am harsh, it is because I expect greatness. Since 2002, I have heard McCartney just doodling a lot in the studio, lots of studio tricks and sounds that may come off as "modern" but are not songwriting. Some things on FLOWERS, OFF THE GROUND and FLAMING PIE had this vibe, but mostly those albums had songwriting, Paul McCartney songwriting on them. A lot of what I hear in the last eleven years is just "vibes" and "grooves" and Paul repeating a vocal riff or something.
I'm afraid I tend to agree with the above. On first impressions, I'm fairly underwhelmed with the album. It makes me laugh when people talk about 'Press To Play' being over-produced, but I feel that is indeed the case with 'New'. The flashy production, while interesting for the most part, covers up the fact there are precious few strong songs on it. I think Paul can still write them - 'Memory Almost Full', My Valentine and (I Want To) Come Home proved that - but on this album he seems more interested in making 'cool', hip sounds than crafting sturdy, melodic tunes with good lyrics. The exception is Save Us, which I absolutely love. Wish the rest of the album had been as good.
Sorry, but all the songs are very well written. Just ask the critics....the majority of 'em. I, unlike you, on the other hand. am overwhelmed by the entire album because it's Paul at his best and he has the producers that can pull it from him...get him out of his comfort zone. This is THE ONE ESETNIAL MCCARTENYE ALBUM I WILL ALWAYS HAVE WITH ME. IT''S TH ONLY ONE I HAVE IN ITS ENTIRETY ON MY IPOD!!!! Love it.
Have you heard of this little ole album called...Band on The Run? Worth looking into........
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That 40-year-old album? Yeah, I've heard of it. New is better.