Paul's New Album-- "New"-- CONFIRMED
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MetalGod:
While impatiently waiting for my Japanese release; I've been streaming the album via youtube. Appreciate is F'IN Fanfreakingtastic....it's inspiring and not necessary a derivative of The Beatles or his typical style (though the reverse effects are reminiscent).
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Bruce M.:
B J Conlee:
chrisstevens:
Still loving the album. One song that has really struck me today was Early Days. The song is sparse production sort of minimal and it allows Paul's vocals to stand out and really brings emotions to the for, which is fitting for the lyrics. Some have commented on this track and his vocals but I feel this was intentional, Paul and his 71 year old voice singing and looking back on the early days. His voice hasn't had any effects added on, and the results are very....honest, is the right word.
Chris, You nailed it. Right now it is my favorite song on a very good album. It's great how Paul's songs get to you. It sounded so good in the car. I love Paul's simple acoustic songs...i.e. Put It There, Little Willow and now this one.
I said this on Steve Hoffman's forum and it's worth saying here: I think Paul's decision to leave his frail and decidedly aged-sounding vocal on "Early Days" so unguarded -- not wrapping it in harmonies or electronic trickery to cover up the roughness -- was a brave and artistically brilliant move. But for me at least it's also unbelievably sad -- this song is unmistakably the voice of a man looking back on a youth that was very, very long ago and who knows that at this point he has more past than future. I also think that after giving us this jolting recognition of his mortality, following it on the album with "New" is also bloody genius: Suddenly we're back in 1967, and Paul is sounding as bright, bouncy and energized as ever, show us the old geezer isn't quite dead yet. I love it. Still processing the rest of the album, but "Early Days" left a vivid impression in my first few listenings.
BJ Conlee: Thanks, and again I agree with you. Macca's music really does have an emotional effect on me often, and it's really a beautiful experience. And I totally agree and get the same feeling for songs like Put It There and Little Willow. Bruce, your totally correct. That's the naked honesty in this song. I like the comparison of Early Days and New. The way it's arranged on the album also reminds me of when Paul performs Here Today, which is often followed by Dance Tonight to lift the mood.
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21st Century Paul:
Well, I've just listened to the album for the first time in youtube.com And I've been so dissapointed that I haven't listened to it much time really... I guess is just a first impression and when I listen to it several times I will really "get it", as usual. Anyway it has been a shocking first listen to me. It didn't seem like it was Paul McCartney, I expected something else... I didn't like the sound... I didn't like a thing really. But it's possible that I listen to it a couple of times more and then I'll post here I think it is his best album ever. But now, I'm just shocked and confused.
I'm typing this after my second listen. A classic "from beginning to the end" listen... Now I like it more than after the first listen but I don't think it will grow much on me or so. Some great parts here and there but for the rest I don't think it's some of Paul's best music. I've listened to Save Us and Everybody Out There several times so I'm almost sure they won't grow on me. I prefer the live versions of those 2 songs that the studio ones. I think Petrushka and even Meat Free Monday are much better than some of the songs in this album... I guess this opinion is the not the one of majority, I know. I need some bonus tracks... so I'm gonna listen to Petrushka and Meat Free Monday
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DeniseLM227:
21st Century Paul:
Well, I've just listened to the album for the first time in youtube.com And I've been so dissapointed that I haven't listened to it much time really... I guess is just a first impression and when I listen to it several times I will really "get it", as usual. Anyway it has been a shocking first listen to me. It didn't seem like it was Paul McCartney, I expected something else... I didn't like the sound... I didn't like a thing really. But it's possible that I listen to it a couple of times more and then I'll post here I think it is his best album ever. But now, I'm just shocked and confused.
On my second listen through now and I have to agree with you. Not what I expected. The 3 songs I had listened to beforehand, "New," "Save Us," and "Everybody Out There" I liked OK, but am hoping that as I keep listening to it the rest will grow on me. Just doesn't feel as melodic to me as some of his past work. I think I prefer "Memory Almost Full" to this album.
yes, not so melodic, sometimes it seems like it's more like The Fireman, kind of experimental...
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Nancy R:
21st Century Paul:
Well, I've just listened to the album for the first time in youtube.com And I've been so dissapointed that I haven't listened to it much time really... I guess is just a first impression and when I listen to it several times I will really "get it", as usual. Anyway it has been a shocking first listen to me. It didn't seem like it was Paul McCartney, I expected something else... I didn't like the sound... I didn't like a thing really. But it's possible that I listen to it a couple of times more and then I'll post here I think it is his best album ever. But now, I'm just shocked and confused.
You are definitely in the minority!
as usual
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RMartinez:
21st Century Paul:
Well, I've just listened to the album for the first time in youtube.com And I've been so dissapointed that I haven't listened to it much time really... I guess is just a first impression and when I listen to it several times I will really "get it", as usual. Anyway it has been a shocking first listen to me. It didn't seem like it was Paul McCartney, I expected something else... I didn't like the sound... I didn't like a thing really. But it's possible that I listen to it a couple of times more and then I'll post here I think it is his best album ever. But now, I'm just shocked and confused.
I had a similar reaction, though not shocked and confused! More like, "I wish it sounded more like McCartney."
well, I was like that and then "why so much autotune?" and "why so loud beats?" like if Paul was trying to sound like "the stuff on the charts", then he seemed like an ordinary today musician... not like Paul McCartney, you know... Why Paul would like to be a 21st Century ordinary mainstream musician? To get into the charts? but the single is not like that so...
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RMartinez:
21st Century Paul:
Well, I've just listened to the album for the first time in youtube.com And I've been so dissapointed that I haven't listened to it much time really... I guess is just a first impression and when I listen to it several times I will really "get it", as usual. Anyway it has been a shocking first listen to me. It didn't seem like it was Paul McCartney, I expected something else... I didn't like the sound... I didn't like a thing really. But it's possible that I listen to it a couple of times more and then I'll post here I think it is his best album ever. But now, I'm just shocked and confused.
I had a similar reaction, though not shocked and confused! More like, "I wish it sounded more like McCartney."
I'll admit that my first reaction was somewhat similar. I liked the first few off the bat, but some left me cold and others I flat-out hated (i.e. "I Can Bet," "Get Me Out of Here," "Scared"). Even the ones I like live ("Save Us", "Everybody Out There") I thought sounded significantly weaker in the studio version. However, as was the case with "Cut Me Some Slack," the studio versions slowly grew on me, as did virtually every song on the album by the 2nd and 3rd listen. I really love it now. I still think a few things could have been done a bit differently, but I'm satisfied with it as it is. Some of the tracks are truly phenomenal. The only song I still don't like is "Get Me Out of Here," personally, I think it should have been swapped with "Struggle" for the Japanese bonus track. Also, while I still think "Scared" is a bit flat melodically, I can now appreciate its hauntingly beautiful and raw quality. Once it struck that cord with me, I started to like it more and more, but its still not one of my favorites.
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21st Century Paul:
21st Century Paul:
Well, I've just listened to the album for the first time in youtube.com And I've been so dissapointed that I haven't listened to it much time really... I guess is just a first impression and when I listen to it several times I will really "get it", as usual. Anyway it has been a shocking first listen to me. It didn't seem like it was Paul McCartney, I expected something else... I didn't like the sound... I didn't like a thing really. But it's possible that I listen to it a couple of times more and then I'll post here I think it is his best album ever. But now, I'm just shocked and confused.
I'm typing this after my second listen. A classic "from beginning to the end" listen... Now I like it more than after the first listen but I don't think it will grow much on me or so. Some great parts here and there but for the rest I don't think it's some of Paul's best music. I've listened to Save Us and Everybody Out There several times so I'm almost sure they won't grow on me. I prefer the live versions of those 2 songs that the studio ones. I think Petrushka and even Meat Free Monday are much better than some of the songs in this album... I guess this opinion is the not the one of majority, I know. I need some bonus tracks... so I'm gonna listen to Petrushka and Meat Free Monday
It took me a good 12 listens or so to get this album to gel in my mind, now it's getting better and better all the time. I'd persevere with as it's worth the effort. You'll come to appreciate it eventually.
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What?? 21st Century Paul doesn't want Paul to sound like he's in the 21st century? Now I'm shocked and stunned!
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"Meat Free Monday" Isn't much of a song, except for the lyrics--hasn't got much of a tune and sounds like anyone could have come up with it, ditto "Petrushka"--these sound like off the cuff throw a ways (Paul wanted the MFM song to be totally accessible, so he made it simple? is that it? So its message would stand out?) tune-wise, so Oliver's assertion is mystifying He's a musician himself, too. He's made "New" seem even more mysterious...I've not had a chance to get it yet, my Amazon account got all messed up and I didn't want to hear it until I had my own copy. Am eager to hear it. MFM and Petrushka "are much better than most of the songs on this album" (Oliver)--what a mystery, how could this be?
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Okay, I finally think I've listened to the album enough to have a coherent opinion, though it still will evolve. First, I have definite prejudices when it comes to Paul's stuff. The tunes I love are generally in one of three broad categories: either the ones where he keeps it simple (Hey Jude, Jenny Wren), the straight-ahead rockers and power-pop tunes (Rock Show, Got to Get You Into My Life, Only Mama Knows) or the incredibly catchy pop tunes (Penny Lane, Ever Present Past). There are exceptions, of course: I love Mr. Bellamy, but it's in a category all its own. But I don't much care for most of his electronica-drenched attempts to sound modern, or the tracks with grandiose, overwrought arrangements (that I know some on here love). So it's probably no shock that the tunes on New that I love are Save Us, New, On My Way to Work, Early Days and Everybody Out There. Of those, the one that totally knocks me out is Early Days, which chokes me up every time. It's just so vulnerable and sad, and a brilliant if jarring use of Paul's "old man" voice. While they aren't really my speed, I don't mind Appreciate and Road. I wouldn't want a whole album of tracks in that vein (which is why I've never had the slightest desire to own Electric Arguments), but a couple of them on the album are fine. The only tune I think I actually dislike is Looking at Her. I don't hate it, it just does nothing for me. Overall, I think this is a solid entry in Paul's late-career renaissance, continuing what to me is clearly the longest streak of solid albums since the end of the Beatles. Not sure where it ranks on the all-time-best scale yet, but it's a strong effort.
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If I was on a desert island and could only have 2 albums of Paul's from his solo works, I would chose New and Flaming Pie!
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I love this album. I feel like it sort of picks up where "Electronic Arguments" left off, which is cool, because I love that album too. I am glad Paul continues to experiment and be current; it's part of what makes him so incredible. Too many older rock stars are just stuck in the past, like dinosaurs in a tar pit. Not Paul! My favorites on the album are Alligator, Appreciate and Out There but there is not a track I don't like. At first I didn't like Early Days, because Paul sounded so frail and it made me sad. But it is genius, only Paul has a right to sing that song and it feels very personal.
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Nancy R:
If I was on a desert island and could only have 2 albums of Paul's from his solo works, I would chose New and Flaming Pie!
I would opt for flaming fish...
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Aren't the fade outs amazing on this album?
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lisalou7:
Aren't the fade outs amazing on this album?
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favoritething:
lisalou7:
Aren't the fade outs amazing on this album?
I know right??
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BOYCIE:
It took me a good 12 listens or so to get this album to gel in my mind, now it's getting better and better all the time.
I've got to admit it's getting better,It's a little better all the time.... The real test though will be in ten years time when we look back on New and see it within a wider context. Much as I am enjoying the album I still don't hear any real 'classic' songs though which is disappointing given that Paul's had over five years to write the album.
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bunwhisper:
I love this album. I feel like it sort of picks up where "Electronic Arguments" left off, which is cool, because I love that album too. I am glad Paul continues to experiment and be current; it's part of what makes him so incredible. Too many older rock stars are just stuck in the past, like dinosaurs in a tar pit. Not Paul! My favorites on the album are Alligator, Appreciate and Out There but there is not a track I don't like. At first I didn't like Early Days, because Paul sounded so frail and it made me sad. But it is genius, only Paul has a right to sing that song and it feels very personal.
Did you see the video that a fan put together for Early Days? SO COOL!
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Kestrel:
BOYCIE:
It took me a good 12 listens or so to get this album to gel in my mind, now it's getting better and better all the time.
I've got to admit it's getting better,It's a little better all the time.... The real test though will be in ten years time when we look back on New and see it within a wider context. Much as I am enjoying the album I still don't hear any real 'classic' songs though which is disappointing given that Paul's had over five years to write the album.
Kestrel, Always respect your opinion and "NEW" is still getting better and better to me after many listens. As far as Macca classics from this album, I think there may be several. The one that jumps out to me immediately as a classic is "Early Days". Just checked out the video that someone made of the "fabs" done with Early Days (right after your last post) and it is fantastic. Shows how great this song is.