"New" Reviews
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At the risk of reverse ageism, I thought this a remarkably astute and well-written piece given the writer's relative youth: http://www.columbiaspectator.com/2013/10/18/slightly-key-pondering-sir-pauls-longevity
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Even the (very rare, apparently) bad reviews make you curious to hear the album, because it's Paul McCartney music they're putting down--given who he is, surely there are a good number of really good songs on "New" ! I was startled to come across these remarks on a Beatles site, "Paul McCartney has 200 songs that are bad" (I think he's got very few bad ones) and the writer also claimed Paul music is "girly" music only liked by females, LOL. The men who reviewed "New" on this site sure appear into his music. LOL
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Paul Macca told an interviewer he tries not to read reviews. His self-confidence might get a little shaken before he goes onstage, affecting his performance. "I'll be thinking about the person who doesn't like my songs" (paraphrased). If I were he, I'd be unable to resist reading everything I could about my songs--I'd be insanely curious, insatiably so. But then I'm not him and from his perspective his reaction may be understandable. He said no matter how accomplished someone is, they'll still feel badly about adverse reactions to their work. He said he knows a lot of very accomplished famous people and they've expressed his same sentiments to him. Macca should remember art appreciation is subjective--one person will say a certain song is crap, while another will praise that same song to the skies! That ought to make him feel better, methinks--but I'm not in his golden sparkling red ruby special shoes. Perhaps it's like one's own children being put down, in a way. One's music being disparaged.
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B J Conlee:
Another Great Day (like the song) for Macca regarding Reviews. On top of the wonderful Wall Street Journal review, I just saw the new issue of People Magazine at the Supermarket. Couldn't wait to open it and get to the Music Section. Chuck Arnold, their music critic, was very glowing and gave it 3 and 1/2 (out of 4). Great picture of Paul as part of the review. Maybe someone and post this review. Earlier in this Post, I said that I thought both Jim Fusilli (WSJ) and Chuck Arnold would both give good reviews. They exceeded my expectations. From past reviews in general, I knew these guys were "fair" and open minded and not prone to having any agendas like some of the pseudo-intellectual types.
Just for the fun of it, I went on amazon.com and checked out buyer reviews. At the time I looked, 59 out of the 74 reviews were rated either 4 or 5 stars. (50- 5 star, 9- 4 star).
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From this week's Parade magazine: "Paul McCartney delivers on the title of his latest album, NEW, his first solo collection of original material in six years. Sounding great on both rockers and ballads, he proves his fans don't have to look to "Yesterday" for well-crafted tunes. Download: the fast-paced "Save Us" and the wistfully twangy "Early Days.""
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From the Newark, NJ Star-Ledger: http://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/index.ssf/2013/10/song_of_the_week_queenie_eye_paul_mccartney.html#incart_river
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I think what stands out about this from Pauls' other original albums (i.e. not including KOTB) since FLAMING PIE is that this one seems to really surprise people, and in a good way. Seriously consider the first track, which might be the only time I thought "wow, Paul made a Franz Ferdinand track." And it works! Its nice to know what when you might think you've got Macca pegged down that at his age he can throw pleasant curveballs at ya.
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Not sure if this is the best place to post this, but this is my review of "New". http://andrewdsweeney.wordpress.com/2013/10/19/album-review-paul-mccartney-new-2013/
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Jeff Lynne's Beard:
Not sure if this is the best place to post this, but this is my review of "New". http://andrewdsweeney.wordpress.com/2013/10/19/album-review-paul-mccartney-new-2013/
Jeff Lynne's Beard, I loved the completeness of your review. I too have had multiple listens to almost all of "NEW". I find it takes a little time to absorb Paul's albums and this is not an exception. I too think it is one of Paul's best CD's. Your list of Paul's Best Albums would pretty much be mine as well but as we know, even Paul's lower rated CD's have individual gems on them. For example, I really like many songs on Back to the Egg. As far as your "track by track" review of "NEW", I agree with many of your ratings with a couple of exceptions. I think that the 10"s on this album are Queenie Eye and Early Days. I love the title track and I like the fact that it follows Early Days, but I would probably give it a 9. And I actually like "Looking at Her". I know it could be a "guilty pleasure" type of song but I find the sweet and sour nature of the music and lyrics to be pretty damn irresistable. I also like the bridge and the solo guitar in the middle. All in all I would give it an 8. I also like "Everybody Out There" a lot. I immediately thought of REM upon hearing the guitar solos on this track (i.e. Losing My Religion) and I think Paul's vocal's on this track are off the chart for a man of 71. I would probably give it an 8.5 One thing that I must do now (after reading your review) is to listen more to "Scared". It didn't do that much for me on first listen and being it was the last track (and I liked the others so much), it is the only song that I haven't given a fair shot. Your 10 rating is telling me that I have to get to it and I thank you for that. I listen almost always in my car and I plan to do it tomorrow morning. I find that listening to something unfamiliar early in the morning is the best time. It was one of the recent mornings when I started to really like "Hosanna". That one had to grow on me as well. thanks again for your Review.
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Hi BJ, Thanks for reading and for your thoughts on the album - Back To The Egg is one of my personal favourites too, but it wasn't a critical success at the time, unfortunately, so I think that remains a bit of a fans favourite. Definitely give "Scared" a little more time, because it it's so beautifully vulnerable and gorgeously performed. Very understated as well, which makes it all the more powerful, to my ears. "Everybody Out There" has grown on me, even since I wrote the review a few days ago. I'm still not sold on the lyrics, but it won't leave my head at the moment, so I've probably underrated that one. In the end, it's all personal opinion, but I'm chuffed that you've enjoyed mine. All the best!
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New given good reviews in the Australian and Adveriser (South Aust paper). Both 4/5 stars.
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Wasn't going to mention this, but it's so perplexing given all the glowing "New" reviews--somebody on Facebook called "New" the album "unlistenable." How could it provoke such an extreme negative reaction when it seems almost universally admired? Interesting that it did, though. A mystery.
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SusyLuvsPaul:
Wasn't going to mention this, but it's so perplexing given all the glowing "New" reviews--somebody on Facebook called "New" the album "unlistenable." How could it provoke such an extreme negative reaction when it seems almost universally admired? Interesting that it did, though. A mystery.
Susy, That person on Facebook is either tone deaf or he/she listened once and made of their mind that they didn't like it. As you know, digesting and appreciating Paul's music takes multiple listens.
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Just want to say thank you Paul for NEW.
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SusyLuvsPaul:
Wasn't going to mention this, but it's so perplexing given all the glowing "New" reviews--somebody on Facebook called "New" the album "unlistenable." How could it provoke such an extreme negative reaction when it seems almost universally admired? Interesting that it did, though. A mystery.
I have to say that New is not Paul's most immediately accessible album. It has taken me quite a few listens to get into alot of it. It has to be one Paul's least pop albums. The critics seem to prefer this kind of Paul. I think most critics have that snobby attitude that pure pop cannot also be great music.
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Totally disagree! A song like New is totally pop and very accessible, it sounds like the Beatles and isn't that what the majority of people (not me) want? Songs like Alligator and especially I Can Bet are very accessible pop and rock, tailor made for radio play. It's a very accessible album!
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I honestly think there are a mix of songs which have immediate impact and some slow-burners. However, what I found is that some of the songs that have an immediate impact didn't necessarily have the right and long-lasting impact. There are some songs, on first listen, I wasn't impressed with at all... I now love the vast majority of the album a lot. Certainly one of my favourite albums of the year.
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SusyLuvsPaul:
Wasn't going to mention this, but it's so perplexing given all the glowing "New" reviews--somebody on Facebook called "New" the album "unlistenable." How could it provoke such an extreme negative reaction when it seems almost universally admired? Interesting that it did, though. A mystery.
Because somewhere some person/ some people don't/won't like it. Not everyone out there will like everything Paul does, some will like this but not Chaos, or some like his Classical and not The Fireman etc, etc. Some unfathomable people just don't like any of it. Susy just like what you like and don't worry about other peoples opinions. If you don't like New, don't be afraid to say it. If you do, shout it to the roof tops. Also when on this board has anyone ever agreed about anything to do with Paul??
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Jeff Lynne's Beard:
Definitely give "Scared" a little more time, because it it's so beautifully vulnerable and gorgeously performed. Very understated as well, which makes it all the more powerful, to my ears. "Everybody Out There" has grown on me.
I love those two, as well. His voice in "Scared" is incredible. And, I love the words so much to "Everybody Out There." He's really got something for everyone on this album. Such variety!
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http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/review/new-paul-mccartney/story-fn9n8gph-1226742280113 Finally an Aussie review of New and its a good one