Paul's upcoming album review they say its HOT!
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harleyblues:
Bruce M.:
While "New" some distance from being a radio hit yet, the initial reception is surprisingly good. As of Friday it's #25 on the Mediabase AC chart and rising steadily:
Please understand, this is very far from the radio saturation that acts like Robin Thicke and Maroon 5 get on Top 40 stations. But it begins to seem plausible that between YouTube views, downloads and a growing trickle of radio play, this thing might just crack Billboard's Hot 100. It would be shocking if it charted terribly high, but it might at least make an appearance.cool! listening to the sound cloud.... interview --- cool thanx Bruce!~ yeah well, clear channel,.... needs to put this on the radio!!!
Oops, got my days wrong. I should have said "as of Wednesday" -- I can't actually see into the future! As of today (Thurs.) it's closing in on #24 on the AC chart and at #27 and rapidly rising on Triple A. This is looking like the best initial radio reception for a Paul single since "Freedom" -- which got a quick burst of attention but died a quick death because everyone got sick of it after 3 listenings. Hopefully this tune will have more legs!
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SusyLuvsPaul:
Are all these songs really brand "new" though or were some or all written nearly six years ago? They're still new to us though, course, as we've not heard any of these before. Remember when "Electric Arguments" came out Paul revealed he'd written "twenty new songs" at that time. Was that six years ago? Doesn't seem like it...maybe five?
We won't know, but Paul has a habit of holding on to songs beautiful night was first recorded around 1986 and was then rerecorded in 1995 great day had been hanging around since the 1970's. Celebration from standing stone had also been written back in the early 70's in various guises. Cosmicly conscious dated back to India 1968 None of these are bad melodies yet he waited years decades before recording them properly.
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thanks for the info, Darrell, could you please put the lyrics to "New" ? type them out here? thanks if so.
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Nancy R:
mustangsally10:
Woke up with "New" in my head this morning I've just been able to listen a couple of times and I don't analyse new music very much just listen with my heart and emotions and New feels joyous. Macca is in a very good place Can't wait to hear the rest
Ditto. I always listen first to the overall sound and how it makes me feel. It's not until much later that I pay attention to the words. Some people immediately jump onto the lyrics and decide if the song is good or not based on that. Not me. How I feel emotionally by a song...how it sounds...is much more important. (And I'm a guy, which may make this seem a bit odd, but I do go for how a song makes me feel before I'm interested in knowing what the words are.)
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I'm interested in all of it, in everything about the song, either if it grabs me right away, or grows on me.
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The lyrics have been posted in a few of these threads already. And I think they are on Jorie's site too.
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zemargla:
21st Century Paul:
In Star Trek there is a chapter where 2 genius meet and one says "Your talent will always be your biggest problem" or so... The problem for Paul is that no matter how good the new thing he does, it can be compared yet to a better one he once did. Like "New" is better than Your Mother Should Know but not better than Penny Lane. And if it was better than Penny Lane, it will probably be not better than Hey Jude... So it's about to compare him to the others... and I don't mean to anyone out there that write music, but to the best composers ever. To me, New sounds like Mozart, Wolphie could have written that (except for the bridge). And it would have been a movement in a piano sonata or so. And not his best thing ever, but kind of in the top 10 of his best music pieces ever. "Top Ten Best Mozart Pieces" level is not bad... yet it could be even better... but...
Someone at the Hoffmann board pointed to this video:
"New" for violin quartet. I like it!great version, thought I imagine it more like a piano piece
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I've been listening to Paul's new song, and I thought I'd wait a week or so before weighing in with my reaction. First off, I'm really glad there are a lot of people here who enjoy the song, and I hope the song does well. I really, really want to like this song, but I'm feeling quite mixed about it. It's not the amazing knock-out that I was hoping it would be. In terms of composition, it seems pretty good to me, well-crafted, catchy...but not strong enough to be a single. I find that the bridge section is the weakest part of the song. I've been listening to the youtube versions of New of people doing either a piano version or violin version, and I find that I prefer THAT to the studio version. This tells me that the production and execution of New isn't quite working for me as much as I hope it would. New is mining that "baroque pop" sound (as someone else well put it) that Paul helped perfect many years ago. But this can be a tricky musical field to my ears. That style of song can easily sound dire and cloying, and to keep it sounding cool is a tough task. Songs like MGMT's Kids and Prince's Raspberry Beret (and even Lennon's demo of Real Love) are examples of what I like about "pop" songs sounding great. I think the way Paul sings New is part of what doesn't work for me. That chirpy, falsetto style rubs me the wrong way. I wish Youth had been involved with the production of this song, because I really liked how he found a great vocal styling that worked with Paul's current voice for each of the songs on EA. Also, I don't think the arrangement and production really maximized the song's potential. It feels a bit thin, as though there could be more layers to augment the harpsichord, and more emphasis on the interesting counter-melodies. His Sgt. Pepper-era work (unfair comparison?) feels a lot richer with lots of interesting layers and depth. I DO love the backbeat Ronson provides, as it gives it a modern, upbeat feel. Lyrically, I'm totally cool with the message of the song! It's great to hear a positive, upbeat message that anchors around the line, "Don't look at me". As a side note, some recent pop music that has blown me away is Lorde's new music. I love her writing, arrangements, production and edginess....THAT'S the effect I was hoping for with Paul's new music. Anyways, I hope the rest of his new album is better...
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"Chirpy falsetto style"? Isn't only the oooh oooh oooh oooh part in falsetto? He sounds younger to me in this song, and I like it. Oh well, to each his own.
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ZodiakFool:
I've been listening to Paul's new song, and I thought I'd wait a week or so before weighing in with my reaction. First off, I'm really glad there are a lot of people here who enjoy the song, and I hope the song does well. I really, really want to like this song, but I'm feeling quite mixed about it. It's not the amazing knock-out that I was hoping it would be. In terms of composition, it seems pretty good to me, well-crafted, catchy...but not strong enough to be a single. I find that the bridge section is the weakest part of the song. I've been listening to the youtube versions of New of people doing either a piano version or violin version, and I find that I prefer THAT to the studio version. This tells me that the production and execution of New isn't quite working for me as much as I hope it would. New is mining that "baroque pop" sound (as someone else well put it) that Paul helped perfect many years ago. But this can be a tricky musical field to my ears. That style of song can easily sound dire and cloying, and to keep it sounding cool is a tough task. Songs like MGMT's Kids and Prince's Raspberry Beret (and even Lennon's demo of Real Love) are examples of what I like about "pop" songs sounding great. I think the way Paul sings New is part of what doesn't work for me. That chirpy, falsetto style rubs me the wrong way. I wish Youth had been involved with the production of this song, because I really liked how he found a great vocal styling that worked with Paul's current voice for each of the songs on EA. Also, I don't think the arrangement and production really maximized the song's potential. It feels a bit thin, as though there could be more layers to augment the harpsichord, and more emphasis on the interesting counter-melodies. His Sgt. Pepper-era work (unfair comparison?) feels a lot richer with lots of interesting layers and depth. I DO love the backbeat Ronson provides, as it gives it a modern, upbeat feel. Lyrically, I'm totally cool with the message of the song! It's great to hear a positive, upbeat message that anchors around the line, "Don't look at me". As a side note, some recent pop music that has blown me away is Lorde's new music. I love her writing, arrangements, production and edginess....THAT'S the effect I was hoping for with Paul's new music. Anyways, I hope the rest of his new album is better...
Sadly I agree, for me it's not QUITE strong enough for a good single, and I too have given it multiple listens over the last week. I started off thinking it was 'ok', it grew on me, and has since 'shrunk' on me It's catchy, and the masses will like it (shuffle beat is instantly catchy and commercial), but it's FAR from his best. Sounds like there was minimal effort put into composing it (rushed?). I'd be hoping for more from a 1st single from an album. I just hope there are stronger tracks on the LP.
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ewanme:
Sadly I agree, for me it's not QUITE strong enough for a good single, and I too have given it multiple listens over the last week. I started off thinking it was 'ok', it grew on me, and has since 'shrunk' on me It's catchy, and the masses will like it (shuffle beat is instantly catchy and commercial), but it's FAR from his best. Sounds like there was minimal effort put into composing it (rushed?).
Oh no! "Shrinkage!" (Seinfeld) Some of the best songs were written quickly. After I told him it was my favorite Beach Boys song, Carl Wilson told me that Brian wrote "God Only Knows" in 15 minutes. Paul probably did write this song quickly, and it's no "Yesterday" but I like it a lot.
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Nancy R:
ewanme:
Sadly I agree, for me it's not QUITE strong enough for a good single, and I too have given it multiple listens over the last week. I started off thinking it was 'ok', it grew on me, and has since 'shrunk' on me It's catchy, and the masses will like it (shuffle beat is instantly catchy and commercial), but it's FAR from his best. Sounds like there was minimal effort put into composing it (rushed?).
Oh no! "Shrinkage!" (Seinfeld) Some of the best songs were written quickly. After I told him it was my favorite Beach Boys song, Carl Wilson told me that Brian wrote "God Only Knows" in 15 minutes. Paul probably did write this song quickly, and it's no "Yesterday" but I like it a lot.
I love how casually you mention a personal conversation with THE carl wilson.
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This single has gotten great reviews and built a lot of buzz for the album. I think it was clearly a smart choice for the initial release.
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Some people are giving the same reaction to NEW that some people gave to STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER and PENNY LANE when they first came out. Kind of funny, I think!
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I still think New is a poor song but what worries me is not that its the new single but that its the title track of the new album. Hopefully a stronger song will be chosen to promote the album on its release.
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Kestrel:
I still think New is a poor song but what worries me is not that its the new single but that its the title track of the new album. Hopefully a stronger song will be chosen to promote the album on its release.
It took me a few listens to get into New but i like it now. I would never suggest it's one of Paul's best ever songs, but i think it's good rather than poor.The only negative for me is that it's a pretty safe song and there's nothing new , no pun intended, musically about it, but i think it's a strong melodic track and it has some decent lyrics if not outstanding ones.
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BOYCIE:
Kestrel:
I still think New is a poor song but what worries me is not that its the new single but that its the title track of the new album. Hopefully a stronger song will be chosen to promote the album on its release.
It took me a few listens to get into New but i like it now. I would never suggest it's one of Paul's best ever songs, but i think it's good rather than poor.The only negative for me is that it's a pretty safe song and there's nothing new , no pun intended, musically about it, but i think it's a strong melodic track and it has some decent lyrics if not outstanding ones.
I'm confused by the term "safe." If it was meant to be a safe bet to satisfy McCartney's core fans, that hasn't totally been the case (though I like it very much); many fans seem to wish he would rock out more or something. If it was meant to be safe as a popular single, that hasn't happened so far; you could say it would be safer to put something out that capitalizes on popular musical styles, as "Silly Love Songs" or "Goodnight Tonight" or "Spies Like Us" did in their day. The only thing safe that I can see is that it seems to be critic-proof, which is a nice thing, but it's not everything!
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favoritething:
BOYCIE:
Kestrel:
I still think New is a poor song but what worries me is not that its the new single but that its the title track of the new album. Hopefully a stronger song will be chosen to promote the album on its release.
It took me a few listens to get into New but i like it now. I would never suggest it's one of Paul's best ever songs, but i think it's good rather than poor.The only negative for me is that it's a pretty safe song and there's nothing new , no pun intended, musically about it, but i think it's a strong melodic track and it has some decent lyrics if not outstanding ones.
I'm confused by the term "safe." If it was meant to be a safe bet to satisfy McCartney's core fans, that hasn't totally been the case (though I like it very much); many fans seem to wish he would rock out more or something. If it was meant to be safe as a popular single, that hasn't happened so far; you could say it would be safer to put something out that capitalizes on popular musical styles, as "Silly Love Songs" or "Goodnight Tonight" or "Spies Like Us" did in their day. The only thing safe that I can see is that it seems to be critic-proof, which is a nice thing, but it's not everything!
Safe = Everything the "hardcore" fans hate.
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WixRocks!:
favoritething:
BOYCIE:
Kestrel:
I still think New is a poor song but what worries me is not that its the new single but that its the title track of the new album. Hopefully a stronger song will be chosen to promote the album on its release.
It took me a few listens to get into New but i like it now. I would never suggest it's one of Paul's best ever songs, but i think it's good rather than poor.The only negative for me is that it's a pretty safe song and there's nothing new , no pun intended, musically about it, but i think it's a strong melodic track and it has some decent lyrics if not outstanding ones.
I'm confused by the term "safe." If it was meant to be a safe bet to satisfy McCartney's core fans, that hasn't totally been the case (though I like it very much); many fans seem to wish he would rock out more or something. If it was meant to be safe as a popular single, that hasn't happened so far; you could say it would be safer to put something out that capitalizes on popular musical styles, as "Silly Love Songs" or "Goodnight Tonight" or "Spies Like Us" did in their day. The only thing safe that I can see is that it seems to be critic-proof, which is a nice thing, but it's not everything!
Safe = Everything the "hardcore" fans hate.
Well "safe" or not this is one hardcore fan that really likes the song!
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WixRocks!:
Nancy R:
ewanme:
Sadly I agree, for me it's not QUITE strong enough for a good single, and I too have given it multiple listens over the last week. I started off thinking it was 'ok', it grew on me, and has since 'shrunk' on me It's catchy, and the masses will like it (shuffle beat is instantly catchy and commercial), but it's FAR from his best. Sounds like there was minimal effort put into composing it (rushed?).
Oh no! "Shrinkage!" (Seinfeld) Some of the best songs were written quickly. After I told him it was my favorite Beach Boys song, Carl Wilson told me that Brian wrote "God Only Knows" in 15 minutes. Paul probably did write this song quickly, and it's no "Yesterday" but I like it a lot.
I love how casually you mention a personal conversation with THE carl wilson.
This was back in 1978 when I was 23 and it was a lot easier to get close to famous people. (I don't think the word 'stalking' had been invented yet!) Tracked them down at the Peachtree Plaza (in Atlanta) after their concert. Ran into Al Jardine in the lobby and he invited my gf & I up to the Sun Dial restaurant at the top of the hotel (it rotates in a circle--the hotel is round) and the rest (minus Brian & Mike Love) were up there, plus Jan of Jan & Dean (met Dean and Mike Love the next day but that's another story!)