Paul's New Album-- "New"-- CONFIRMED
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oobu24:
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!
Wow, that was wonderful. I think Lennon would have loved it also.
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Bruce M.:
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.
IMO - McCartney's "old man" voice fits this song perfectly.
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oobu24:
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!
LOVE IT!!
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I called my local Barnes & Noble the other day about the Mojo magazine Paul cover, since it wasn't out in the US when it came out in the UK. They told me it would probably come out here on Monday (tomorrow), so I expect to be going there tomorrow or Tuesday. Big article on Paul, plus a CD with covers by the likes of faves of mine like Robyn Hitchcock and Squeeze.
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Does anyone have a photo of the NEW album which is large enough to use as artwork for a T-shirt? Just about to tuck into the new MOJO...The CD is Songs in the key of Paul! Heard a few good ones Some really cute photos of Paul. Giles Martin quote "He treats everything like it's the first time!"
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"Like the first time"--Paul Mc. has joi de vivre...he's always demonstrated the capacity for great joy, he just has a ball near bout all the time--I just love to hear his deep heavy warm sweet Liddypool speaking voice (don't know why I wrote that, after that)--he loves to clown around, kid around and have a laugh, could have another career as a comedic actor on a cute Brit sit com in order to fully express his kiddin' around clown side. But it's a much bigger rush of pleasure to make music, no doubt, than to act I bet "New" is a real "feel good" album overall He's come running to our rescue yet again, to cheer us all up-- "It may take a couple of years to turn your tears to laughter" no it'll just take however long it takes to hear his new songs
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favoritething:
I called my local Barnes & Noble the other day about the Mojo magazine Paul cover, since it wasn't out in the US when it came out in the UK. They told me it would probably come out here on Monday (tomorrow), so I expect to be going there tomorrow or Tuesday. Big article on Paul, plus a CD with covers by the likes of faves of mine like Robyn Hitchcock and Squeeze.
Correction: most of the songs are simply "inspired by" Paul's music, including Squeeze's "Pulling Mussels." There are only three covers: Hitchcock's "Let Me Roll It," Kelley Stoltz's "I Am Your Singer," and the Golden Dogs' "Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five." Haven't listened yet, but I already had the Hitchcock cover. The article/interview is good (if sloppily edited), but by now Paul has covered most of this ground in other interviews since this one. Nice sidebars of each of the producers, though, and good photos. 12 pages!
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favoritething:
favoritething:
I called my local Barnes & Noble the other day about the Mojo magazine Paul cover, since it wasn't out in the US when it came out in the UK. They told me it would probably come out here on Monday (tomorrow), so I expect to be going there tomorrow or Tuesday. Big article on Paul, plus a CD with covers by the likes of faves of mine like Robyn Hitchcock and Squeeze.
Correction: most of the songs are simply "inspired by" Paul's music, including Squeeze's "Pulling Mussels." There are only three covers: Hitchcock's "Let Me Roll It," Kelley Stoltz's "I Am Your Singer," and the Golden Dogs' "Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five." Haven't listened yet, but I already had the Hitchcock cover. The article/interview is good (if sloppily edited), but by now Paul has covered most of this ground in other interviews since this one. Nice sidebars of each of the producers, though, and good photos. 12 pages!
ohhhh...must go back to my Barnes & Noble!
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Every time I listen to the album, it sounds better. Solid record. Many great tracks. Hosanna is still dreadful, IMHO. Otherwise, wonderful. Road, New, and Queenie Eye are outstanding. I'm also digging some of the 80's sounds on Appreciate and Looking at Her. Cool synths. Reminds me of Press to Play in places
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Finally home from a trip to Key West and first order of business was to buy the deluxe version of NEW! Had trouble finding it but after 3 tries, found it at Walmart for $14.88. Finished listening to it today at work and I have to say...I LOVE the whole CD! Love rocker Paul, love the older, more frail voice on Early Days, Save Us...Wow! Queenie Eye has been a favorite I could sing along with from the first time I heard it, as is NEW. Adore the sound and the message in Everybody Out There (do some good before you leave). It's just one of Paul's best in recent years imho. I know I'm only going to love it more on the next and subsequent listens. Two thumbs up Paul and a big Wooo hooo! You hit this out of the park! (Also, loved the fan video set to Early Days)
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I think that "NEW" is fantastic. The production is simply *ace* on every track. Well done! Current favorites: Queenie Eye, New, Early Days, On My Way To Work, Everybody Out There, and Turned Out. Thanks, Paul
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My feelings about the album are getting clearer. I love about half of it, like another quarter, and am indifferent (or worse) to the other quarter. The electronic, heavily processed production style on some of the songs is not a winner for me. I know some people like this stuff, but I don't. The only song I'd say I actively dislike is Looking at Her, which is just lame and annoying. Hosanna is nicely atmospheric, but starts to bore me after about 2 minutes. I'm still a bit unsettled about Road and Appreciate, but I'm pretty sure they'll never make my list of all-time favorite Paul tracks. Lest this sound too negative, I seriously love Save Us, On My Way to Work, Early Days, Everybody Out There and New.
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BOYCIE:
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.
I remember I needed like a dozen listens to like Supertramp... The "Paris" album, I just didn't get all the complex songs...
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favoritething:
What?? 21st Century Paul doesn't want Paul to sound like he's in the 21st century? Now I'm shocked and stunned!
Well, not like an "ordinary" one. Paul is not ordinary, he's the best mainstream music creator of all-time, and if he sounds just like any other, like he was just as talented as the average guy on the radio then something is missing...
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I find myself putting this album on at least once a day, and every day a different song is stuck in my head.
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SusyLuvsPaul:
"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?
It would not be the first time Paul doesn't include some of the best songs he has written in his upcoming album. As old as Yvonne, Waterspout, Love Mix, The Mist of Central Park, A Love For You, Rode All Night, even Celebration and Beautiful Night had to wait a lot of years till they were officially released. Maybe the album will grow on me and will make me forget Petrushka... But now I'm like: "Petrushka, Petrushka, where are you now?"
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Shawn:
Every time I listen to the album, it sounds better. Solid record. Many great tracks. Hosanna is still dreadful, IMHO. Otherwise, wonderful. Road, New, and Queenie Eye are outstanding. I'm also digging some of the 80's sounds on Appreciate and Looking at Her. Cool synths. Reminds me of Press to Play in places
Shawn, Hope you are doing well. I think I remember how much you loved Chaos (I do too) a few years back. I have to say I felt similar to Hosanna for the first 7-8 listens but the other morning when I heard it on my way for coffee, the melody really registered with me. Maybe because it was early morning and my ears were real sharp. I now like it a lot. Compared to Paul's usual light and happy melodies, it is definitely dark and heavy. But it did grab me and I really like Paul's bass. Lyrics are good and I like the "sing Hosanna to the morning light, Hosanna Hosanna repetition at the end. I also like the sound effects which to me emits the ocean (along the beach) sounds. I would love to hear this song on the beach. Hosanna is certainly not my favorite track on NEW (I think Early Days Queenie Eye and the title cut, for example, are 10's) but I now think it is a good album track and sits well between Everybody Out There and I Can Bet. I think that "NEW" has great consistency (No clunkers) and in that way it is similar to Chaos but with more variety. Give Hosanna a few more tries and I think it will grow with you.
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B J Conlee:
Shawn:
Every time I listen to the album, it sounds better. Solid record. Many great tracks. Hosanna is still dreadful, IMHO. Otherwise, wonderful. Road, New, and Queenie Eye are outstanding. I'm also digging some of the 80's sounds on Appreciate and Looking at Her. Cool synths. Reminds me of Press to Play in places
Shawn, Hope you are doing well. I think I remember how much you loved Chaos (I do too) a few years back. I have to say I felt similar to Hosanna for the first 7-8 listens but the other morning when I heard it on my way for coffee, the melody really registered with me. Maybe because it was early morning and my ears were real sharp. I now like it a lot. Compared to Paul's usual light and happy melodies, it is definitely dark and heavy. But it did grab me and I really like Paul's bass. Lyrics are good and I like the "sing Hosanna to the morning light, Hosanna Hosanna repetition at the end. I also like the sound effects which to me emits the ocean (along the beach) sounds. I would love to hear this song on the beach. Hosanna is certainly not my favorite track on NEW (I think Early Days Queenie Eye and the title cut, for example, are 10's) but I now think it is a good album track and sits well between Everybody Out There and I Can Bet. I think that "NEW" has great consistency (No clunkers) and in that way it is similar to Chaos but with more variety. Give Hosanna a few more tries and I think it will grow with you.
Hi BJ, Thank you for your thoughtful post. Yes, I did love Chaos (and I still do). I will give Hosanna another chance. I really like the album, on the whole. I didn't have a terrific first impression, for some reason, but it is really growing on me.
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We finally got around to the bonus DVD with the Canadian interview (I hadn't seen it on YouTube). Actually pretty nice, I think. I had been under the impression that it only dealt with the Canadian tour, but there are sections on Brazil (the grasshoppers!) and Verona too, in particular. Nice to see the band's comments as well. I must say, Paul seems quite charmed by the interviewer, and he even lets her play the psychedelic piano!
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favoritething:
We finally got around to the bonus DVD with the Canadian interview (I hadn't seen it on YouTube). Actually pretty nice, I think. I had been under the impression that it only dealt with the Canadian tour, but there are sections on Brazil (the grasshoppers!) and Verona too, in particular. Nice to see the band's comments as well. I must say, Paul seems quite charmed by the interviewer, and he even lets her play the psychedelic piano!
And...he wanted her sparklley jacket. Reminiscent of his 76 tour jacket.