Reviews (page 6 of 8)
Not my sort of music. But I managed to listen to the whole thing without hating it.
A wholesome and quirky collection of songs that showcases McCartney’s innate knack for writing a melody while also distancing itself a bit from the grandeur of the final Beatles albums. It’s not my favourite record of his and he has far more streamlined and impressive stuff later on, but as a kind of back to basics/soft launch of a solo career, it does exactly what it needed to do at the time
Sounded more like a collection of B-sides, demos and outtakes to me. Not the best start to his solo career.
Post beatles Mccartney seems to be for the fanboys. Its decent generic pop music of the time, but doesnt really stand out.
Maybe I'm Amazed is kind of the only saving grace here to me, the rest songs legitimately sound like unfinished demos. I guess junk is nice, then it's on there again as an instrumental track? Just sounds like an unfinished project and then maybe comes on and I thought, why didn't you do more of this? 1 star album with a 5 star song to help it
Maybe, I'm amazed.
Not my favorite McCartney solo albums (that would be McCartney II), but it is a very good album. Thankfully, as a songwriter McCartney has the the good sense to know when a concept has been played out and leave the audience wanting more as he moves on to something else. He also keeps things interesting by providing lots of variety in his compositions and taking risks (like the outro Glasses on the back half of Hot As Sun) and the homage to the indigenous tribe of "Kreen-Akrore". McCartney's solo album, lauded as a progenitor of lo-fi albums is waaaay better than any of the other lo-fi artists at the time. I'm looking at you Neil Young, etc. I enjoyed this album very much. It does have the feeling of intimately sitting in with a master songwriter who is at the top of his craft. All lean hooks, no fat, no indulgence. It is kind of crazy to realize that with "Live and Let Die" and BAND ON THE RUN coming in 1973, he was only going to get even better.
A masterpiece in its own right. Paul is king. It’s not up for debate.
It was good, not great. There are a few bangers on there, but it's all alright
Cute attempt, but missing smart, quiet and funny. 2.5/5
Ik vind dit eigenlijk best relaxed. Ome Paul die lekker wat liedjes zingt. Volgens mij heeft 'ie er wel plezier in, dus dat luistert wel lekker weg. Er is binnen een bepaald spectrum nog best wel wat variatie te vinden op dit album, waardoor het niet verveeld. Ik weet niet of ik dit legendarisch genoeg vind voor deze lijst, maar dit kan ik gerust een keer aanzetten. Als ik het in één woord zou moeten samenvatten zou ik het 'prettig' noemen, of 'oerdegelijk'. Ook hier was de 3,5 van pas gekomen. Ik kap 'm af op een 3 omdat het wel vergeetbaar is wat hier op de mat wordt gelegd. De laatste track met dat gehijg is me wat te vaag ook.
After 7 or 8 years of (mainly) polished gems with the Beatles, the low key nature of the record initially baffled fans and critics. But the half finished snippets of songs/instrumentals are part of the appeal - it's got the same feel as some of the quietly charming tracks (Blackbird, I Will etc) on The White Album. Also, given his reputation for being outwardly extrovert, it's interesting that this is the first truly solo album (aside from some harmonies from his wife) from an ex-Beatle. Although he was apparently quite depressed at the time, it's a wholesome, homespun record full of analogue warmth, and a testament to McCartney's character.
Classic Paul
Enjoyed this far more than I thought I would
Fine. Just not as good as The Beatles. Let's just say it's his break-up album, shall we? There was nothing very exciting here.
Enjoyed this album. For better or worse, I always saw it as McCartney's cathartic cleansing, to work through all those unused Beatles ideas.
I've always held the idea that The Beatles are the most overrated band of all time. Recently, I listened to the "Ram" album by Paul, and Linda McCartney, and I really enjoyed it, so maybe, just maybe, I can appreciate Paul McCartney in his projects outside of The Beatles. Unfortunately, this album is far inferior to "Ram", and is rather dull most of the time, with a few catchy beats, and tunes. Favorite Track: "Kreen-Akrore".
overall good album, I realt enjoy paul's perspective on the songs and the production of the album. note to self: check out singalong junk again
Listened to this in my partner’s car and it left no impression. Listened to it again using my speakers just to be sure and I enjoyed it way more. Maybe her car’s speakers are shit or maybe I was in a different mood, but it hit completely differently. Every Night and Maybe I’m Amazed were my favourites. Docking a point for the heavy breathing on Kreene-Akrore; that was just unnecessary and unpleasant.
Maybe I’m Amazed. Banger. Otherwise needs more John, George, and Ringo. Simpsons: Maybe I’m Amazed was used as an end credits!
Actually enjoyed this more than any of the Beatles albums. That said, I've over-rated a few Beatles albums, and this is still a 4 for me.
I just didn’t get this. Maybe I’m amazed was a highlight and bloody brilliant but the rest left no impression for me. It wasn’t bad, just uninspiring. Was missing a bit of Laine I think.
Love the rain be of Paul’s voice. Simply one if a kind.
I think McCartney is one of the all-time best pop songwriters of the 20th century. Top five easily.
This was not the iconic McCartney sound I expected. Kind of took me aback. Some good tracks on there of course, “Maybe I’m Amazed”
It’s Paul McCartney’s name on the album, so the music is good, but it’s a bit of a muddled mix of experiments. 2.5
This album felt like he was trying to be American which I found a bit weird. Otherwise, I quite enjoyed it - I didn’t mind that it was a bit different. Fave Track: Maybe I’m Amazed Rating: 4
Il y a des jours, dans ce projet "1001 Albums", où l'on se sent comme un archéologue découvrant un trésor oublié. Et il y a des jours où l'on se sent comme un éboueur devant vider une poubelle historique. Devinez dans quelle catégorie tombe ce premier album solo de Paul McCartney. Je savais, en voyant son nom sur la liste, que ce ne serait pas une partie de plaisir. On parle de l'après-Beatles, une période de décomposition et de règlements de comptes. Mais je ne m'attendais pas à une telle purge. Ce disque n'est pas seulement un album, c'est un acte de sabotage. Un doigt d'honneur non pas à l'establishment, mais à la musique elle-même. Remettons les choses dans leur contexte sordide. Avril 1970, le plus grand groupe du monde se vautre dans sa propre agonie. C'est la fin. Et pendant que John Lennon, dans une catharsis psychanalytique et douloureuse, s'apprête à hurler ses démons sur "Plastic Ono Band", un disque d'une honnêteté à vous glacer le sang, Paul, lui, fait... ça. "Ça", c'est le son d'un homme qui s'emmerde, profondément. Réfugié dans sa ferme en Écosse avec femme, enfants et moutons, il a pris son magnéto 4 pistes et a enregistré... du vent, des bribes, des pets de cerveau musicaux. Des instrumentaux qui n'auraient même pas servi de jingle pour une pub de purée en flocons ("Valentine Day", "Momma Miss America"). Des chansons qui ne commencent jamais et qui, par pitié, finissent très vite ("The Lovely Linda", 42 secondes de vacuité absolue). On nous a vendu ça comme un geste "lo-fi", un retour à la simplicité. Quelle vaste blague, j'ai passé une partie de mon adolescence à vénérer des groupes qui ont fait du lo-fi une profession de foi. J'aime le son brut, l'urgence, l'idée qu'on peut faire de la magie avec trois bouts de ficelle. Mais ici, ce n'est pas du lo-fi, c'est du "j'm'en-foutisme". Il y a une différence fondamentale entre l'esthétique du dénuement et la simple paresse. C'est l'album d'un type multi-millionaire qui a décidé de sonner comme un ado qui découvre pour la première fois un instrument dans le garage de ses parents. Sauf que l'ado en question a écrit "Yesterday" et "Hey Jude", et ça rend le tout encore plus inexcusable. On n'est pas face à un punk qui crache sa rage avec les moyens du bord. On est face à un génie en vacances, et ses cartes postales sonores sont d'une laideur affligeante. L'écoute de ce disque est une épreuve physique et on passe son temps à attendre qu'il se passe quelque chose. Une mélodie, une émotion, une idée, n'importe quoi. Mais non, le néant. "Oo You", "Teddy Boy"... c'est de la bouillie, des esquisses qui auraient dû finir au fond d'un tiroir, sous une pile de factures. Et le pire, le plus rageant dans cette histoire, c'est qu'au milieu de ce marasme, de ce champ de ruines musical, il y a "Maybe I'm Amazed". Cette chanson n'est pas une lueur dans la nuit, c'est une insulte. C'est la preuve irréfutable que Paul McCartney avait encore toute sa tête et tout son talent. Elle vous hurle à la gueule le disque de génie qu'on aurait pu avoir s'il avait daigné allumer son cerveau plus de cinq minutes. C'est une pièce maîtresse, un chef-d'œuvre absolu d'écriture et d'interprétation. Et elle est là, perdue au milieu des borborygmes et des démos moisies, comme un Rembrandt accroché dans des toilettes publiques. Sa présence ne sauve pas l'album, elle l'enterre. Elle souligne par contraste l'indigence du reste. On écoute "Maybe I'm Amazed" et on se dit "Pourquoi, Paul, POURQUOI ? Pourquoi nous avoir infligé le reste ?". C'est simple : cet album n'a aucune autre raison d'être dans la liste des "1001" à part pour son contexte historique et cette unique chanson. Pour tout le reste, c'est une perte de temps. C'est un caprice d'artiste trop riche et trop célèbre, une sorte de journal intime sonore dont on n'aurait jamais dû tourner les pages. C'est le son de la décompression, de la fuite, mais sans le moindre intérêt artistique. Je ne peux décemment pas lui mettre plus d'un point. Et ce point, c'est par pure charité, par respect pour le miracle qu'est "Maybe I'm Amazed". Il ne sauve rien, mais il existe, et on ne peut l'ignorer. Pour le reste, c'est à jeter. C'est l'anti-musique, l'album-vacances d'un type qui n'avait plus rien à foutre de rien, et surtout pas de nos oreilles. Fuyez ou n'écoutez que la piste 8 et prétendez avoir fait le job.
Exceptional
Maybe I'm Amazed is the one radio hit.
This just didn’t do anything for me.
Maybe I’m Amazed and Every Night are both incredible songs but the rest of the album is a rough listen, considering it represented the end of The Beatles. Not good compared to both Harrison and Lennon’s first albums post-Beatles. 2 stars might be a bit harsh but not sure I can give it 3 based on two songs.
It's the Macca's debut album and I was excited to listen to it. I'm a huge fan of The Beatles and I love ATMP by George Harrison. Although not being close to as good as the aforementioned albums it's still great. It sets your expectations low at first with tracks that are just Paul jamming out catchy tunes. Ironically, once you get to "Junk" the album gets better! Favorite songs: Junk, Man We Was Lonely, Momma Miss America, Teddy Boy, Maybe I'm Amazed. Nice to hear Paul just having fun!
I always enjoy McCartney's solo work. Maybe I'm Amazed is an fantastic song. 4 solid stars.
I'll never pass up an opportunity for some Paul McCartney.
Paul doesn’t give a shit anymore! This album sounds like he wanted to step away from the intense production and creativity of The Beatles, and just jam out and enjoy fucking around at home. He doesn’t give a shit if the songs are half baked or could be more elegantly arranged. He doesn’t for a shit if there’s a good hook (which there are still some excellent melodies)! He’s just a guy writing songs and having fun! Is this a possible influence on layer bedroom/lo-fi-ish pop…maybe! It’s cool to hear and there are plenty of gems, but plenty of fluff and not much that really stands the rest of time. Fun and charming listen that ultimately isn’t super memorable.
Ironically, my first thought when listening to this was that there was something missing. Many songs sound like demos or outlines that needed to be filled in by other musicians, but after reading that it’s all solo McCartney finding his way through his first post-Beatles project, it became much more compelling. A very interesting listen.
It's remarkable how unimaginative some great musicians are when it comes to choosing titles for their first albums. Tracy Chapman's first album was called Tracy Chapman, Marla Glenn's first album was called This is Marla Glenn and now McCartney by Paul McCartney. Wouldn't Mc have been enough? Or would the risk of confusion with Ronald have been too great? Either way, the album was fun and I really liked some of the tracks. I'll gladly listen to it again. 4/5
The album was okay. I liked some of the experimental guitar playing and when Paul wasn’t singing. I hate the moaning or grunting shit at the end of the album. So weird that so many album do that stuff. Standouts: Valentine Day, Every Night, and Junk.
Rating: 6/10 This man really put out an album that is clearly unfinished. This "album" is more of a collection of ideas that do not go anywhere. However, these ideas are pretty damn good. Choice cut: Maybe I'm Amazed
There are two ways to view Paul McCartney's debut solo album. Either it's a rushed, half-assed record trying to take attention away from Lennon's (then secret) departure from The Beatles. Or it's a masterpiece of lofi recording from one of the century's greatest songwriters. In truth, it's a little of both. After Lennon's decision to quit, McCartney isolated himself and started to record an album in secret. When he then butt heads with Harrison and Starr over the rushed release, it caused the final breakup of the group. Due to the nature of the recording, the music sounds incomplete and unpolished, like early demo recordings. The lack of his bandmates feels striking here and one can imagine the layers they could have brought in. But 'McCartney' also has a certain minimalist charm. When does a song become a finished song? There's no right or wrong here. The Beatles had already experimented with that idea by stringing together various incomplete songs into a medley during the 'Abbey Road' session. But now he took that a step further to showcase exactenugu at he could bring on his own. Whether it's good enough without John Lennon is for the audience to decide. These home recordings are fairly austere but certain songs really shine, particularly 'Maybe I'm Amazed'. Reviews of this album have been mixed. I'm argue that it's not McCartney's best work (I prefer the very offbeat 'Ram' personally). But it's certainly significant for the backstory and the template it set for lofi recordings. That idea would later be embraced by punk and garage bands who no longer felt that they needed a fancy studio to be able to make a good album. You just need instruments some good ideas, and something to record them.
Junk и Maybe I'm Amazed топ, остальные песни не очень помню, но наверное, похуже
4/5. I was expecting a little overblown pop but honestly, the simple melodies and mostly down to earth songs really worked. Maybe I'm Amazed is clearly the highlight but just a nice collection of simple pop songs is a nice change of pace, and McCartney definitely knows how to write and sing them. And some of them are just instrumental, feels like a collection of ideas that were maybe rejected by the other members of the Beatles that he could finally just sit down and relax for once. It's not perfect but it does exactly what it sets out to do, meander and wander like a relaxing day at the park. Best Song: Maybe I'm Amazed, Every Night, Momma Miss America
Macca music for quiet Sunday mornings
Sir Paul, one of the greatest song writers and musicians of all time!!! He demonstrates his skills across a wide range of instruments and delivers a couple of absolutely outstanding songs. If it had a few more stunners I'd give it a five, but he's set such a high standard even better than average falls behind his best......
Yo this guy was in a band one time
Maybe I'm Amazed is just an all timer. The rest was good. Lo-fi and groovy.
One of my favorite albums
if McCartney is the pinnacle of musical achievement then I'm okay with staying unenlightened
This album lands somewhere in the middle for me. It definitely has a DIY, stripped-down approach, but overall, the tracks mostly hover around twos and threes out of five, with maybe a couple that come close to a four.
This was pretty good. It may be because I've heard it before, but 'Maybe I'm Amazed' is the clear standout. The whole thing is filled with good songs, but in a way that isn't really cohesive, I don't think. It may work in some contexts, but not in the pop-rock that Sir McCartney has holed himself into. Then again, I have no idea what I'm talking about.
Un album à la qualité bon enfant, on sent une liberté et une individualité, presque un manque de sérieux dans son enthousiasme. Un bon moment, mais pas un coup de cœur pour moi
Lennon-McCartney were epic, but apart from the follow-up album "Ram" and the odd song now and then, I never rated McCartney as a solo artist, and this album is no exception.
Great Album! i enjoyed it a lot, but the songs could be longer sometimes. It felt a bit short and not fully fullfilled. Still alot fun and joy during listening to it! 4.0/5.0
Decent
I love The Beatles and all of their solo stuff mostly but this one seemed like a lot of what would have been filler on a Beatles record except maybe I’m amazed. Still quality though and maybe I’m amazed is a great song.
Junk indeed. This is the beginning of a decades-long slog of schlock
I’m so sorry, Paul, but this wasn’t my favorite
It’s always puzzled me that John and Paul almost entirely wrote without the other in the last 2-3 years of The Beatles, and yet when they do their first solo album or two, the songs for each are overall just so-so. Virtually all the songs on The White Album, Abbey Road and Let it Be are great — no clunkers. So we have this — McCartney. One pretty great track, Maybe I’m Amazed, and the rest is lame. Kudos for playing all the instruments, and thankfully we get Band on the Run in a few years, but this? No.
Overall meh, but an understandable meh. You just lost your best friend and your band and you can still write “maybe I’m amazed”? Pretty good
jeg har en fornemmelse af, at Beatles soloprojekter bliver en kæphest for mig på den her liste. What is this Maybe I'm Amazed tappede en lille smule ind i den der McCarney popsang-magi, men den var også det eneste der var værd at komme efter her
Ekstremt low effort plade fra McCartney, lyder som noget der kunne være skrevet og indspillet på en eftermiddag. Dog ikke elendigt, hvilket siger en del om hvor god han er.
Egentlig ret kedeligt... Af en så kendt og rost sangskriver, så blev jeg lidt skuffet.
Super disappointing album and if you think otherwise you're just clouded by the McCartney name. I love Paul as much as the next guy but it's kind of disappointing that this was released considering how half-baked and experimental it was; I mean, there are stretches where Paul's just messing around behind the mic. I certainly respect Paul and think he's a gifted musician, but I think people should not be afraid of being critical of sub-par work. "Maybe I'm Amazed" definitely saved at the end from me labeling this as a 2 star album. 5/10.
This album is the definition of “Lo-Fi”. This album didn’t need to be made. It doesn’t stand up against any of the other works of the Beatles or McCartney’s own works. It doesn’t really work as an album as a majority of the songs are half baked. However. This album is the definition of “Lo-Fi”. It went on to inspire countless other musicians and serve as a source of inspiration for them. It showed music didn’t always need to be polished. It showed that an odd idea was better than no idea. It provided the foundation for McCartney’s penchant for breaking the rules and trying something new.
Junk es una de mis canciones favoritas de la vida.
His first album after the Beatles, and it shows. Great acoustic tunes that could easily be added to any later Beatles album. Pretty good!
Sounds about 25% as good as a Beatles album which makes sense
I was vibing with it until the last track.
Album was definitely carried by Maybe I’m Amazed. His voice is incredible, but won’t be listening to this full thing again
Not only have I listened to some of Paul McCartney’s solo work before, I remember hearing “Maybe I’m Amazed” which comes from this eponymous album. The McCartney eponymous albums have a reputation for compiling songs where Paul recorded all the instruments. In this case with the first one, aside from a few harmony vocals from his then-wife Linda, Paul hashes it out on his own. I respect the hustle, and it’s quite the achievement for how many songs turned out as well as they did. The aforementioned “Maybe I’m Amazed”, “Junk” and its singalong counterpart, “Teddy Boy” and “Momma Miss America” are all great examples of the songwriting and commitment to the craft that Paul was capable of on his own. That said, it does feel like the second half of the album shines brightest, whereas the first half features some song fragments. Tracks such as “The Lovely Linda”, “Valentine Day” and “Hot Sun/Glasses” contain some great ideas that could have been fleshed out more for another minute or two. I understand Paul was very eager at the time to get his solo work out to the public, at the expense of competing with the release of Let it Be, but who knows what could have been had more time been dedicated to these few tracks. Still, I nevertheless commend the man on getting this album out and giving the public a taste of what Paul was capable of without the other Beatles involved. I can see how it achieved later recognition as one of the first big lo-fi records and how influential it was to indie music. Give it a spin.
Call me uncultured or whatever, but I will never understand the appeal of the Beatles or any of its members. 2/5
Hmm other than maybe I’m amazed which obviously bangs, the other tracks were just pleasant background music for me. Album art is cool though
Pretty good. Weird, but not bad. You can hear The Beatles sound and influence in this album, from the Sargent Pepper era. Fun, but about the time things began to come off the rails.
I can see how this album was vilified if it was the first thing that came out when the Beatles broke up. It doesn't sound as good as later McCartney work, and a lot sounds like unpolished demos or musical ideas. However, you can still hear Macca's musical chops in the variety of styles he threw into this. 3* because the ideas that are in here are great on their own. If every song was as polished as "maybe i'm amazed", this album would be a hard 5/5. Highlights: junk, oo you, maybe im amazed
pauli pauli mitä teit... ei oo bändi enää yhdessä, parasta vaan jatkaa matkaa.. muistelee muistelee.. huoh.. paul mccartney is over 80 and how he lives is sad.... Me ollaan Los Santosin kuninkaita, nyt ja aina Dominoidaan joten älä valita se ei meidän mieltä paina Me ollaan Los Santosin kuninkaita edelleen ja yhä Kenelle me sitten velkaa ollaan niin se on asia pyhä Kaikki varmasti muistaa Michaelin, tämän herra psykopaatin.... siinä vähän lyriikoita voisi pauli vanhana kuomana myöntää että parannettavaa oli omissa rustauksissaan... ehkä tuhlas koko elämän emt... noh kunhan oli hauskkaa eikö vain? sitähän se ihmiseläin halajaa... momma miss amerikkka
3.5, a relaxing listen though I don’t think there’s anything too breathtaking.
Man We Was Lonely was the only track on the A side that grabbed me. Maybe I'm Amazed is a legit good song.
Cute but not precious. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.
New album for me. Typical Paul McCartney songs. Several highlights, but also several parts that were quite tedious to listen to. Perhaps I should have listened to it more often, but this is not in the same league as Ram or Band on the Run.
I liked parts of this but it is overall too inhoherent.
Obviously I love The Beatles and his work there, but so much of this just feels undercooked and undeveloped. There are some gems such as Junk and Maybe I'm Amazed, but a lot of basic, forgettable songs as well.
Half the songs are amazing, the rest are rubbish. How is that even possible ?
Gets a fourth star for Maybe I’m Amazed, maybe my favorite song at one time.
Not Paul’s finest work, though I tend to agree with the modern re-assessments that this album was under-appreciated when it released. The scattered, unfinished nature of the album reflects Paul’s own scattered frame of mind as his life’s work disintegrated around him… or he was too lazy and/or stoned to finish the songs and accidentally created lo-fi as a genre. Either way, it’s got Maybe I’m Amazed on it. Best song: Maybe I’m Amazed
Beautiful! Reminds me some of the white album (with its mixes of electric, and acoustic). This is Paul for the first time exploring his craft alone, one review compared this to a sketch book, and I agree but I don’t think it’s a bad thing.
...
This album has two of Paul's best songs, but much like the guy trying Kobe the cherries into the bowl on the album cover, this missed the mark for me.
meh
What I expected from ex Beatle
airless and dull
Mellow, chill and more folk then the Beatles. But he knows how to make catchy music that sticks with you (that is what is success). Much more pop and simple then some of his counterparts but more folky then the group.
It was cool to hear Paul’s first solo album and learn the story behind it. I’m sure it was a wild time with the Beatles breaking up. It felt a bit disjointed but it was pretty decent for being so lo-fi.
Flojo para ser sir Paul. Eso sí tiene una canción maravillosa maybe.....
I’m a huge Beatles fan, but I’ve never really liked the solo stuff from any of them. It’s all fine, it just lacks the magic they had together
What's worse than a Beatles album? A sole Beatles album. Insipid and trite.
Well, at least Maybe I'm Amazed is a pretty good song. Otherwise, this album is pretty unexceptional. However, he would go on to do much cooler things with Wings, so we can forgive the fact that I don't love this album 3/5
Apart from Maybe I'm Amazed, no real standout songs, but the album on the whole works out well.
This album shows the diverse songwriting and performance brilliance from one of the all time greats. Not bad for the first exit from the bug group! Performance on Maybe I'm Amazed is off the charts.
Exceptional album. Stripped down in complex simplicity. Either you get it or your don’t, the global rating is biased and should be much higher.
Obviously I have heard the post-Beatles McCartney, but largely just Wings (pretty sure I had an album). Not sure I recognize any of the songs on this. Not sure if this is an album. Feels more like a bunch of short cuts of potential songs. Kind of a well-recorded demo with songs, if fully formed, would make an album. It's a weird album to me.
What a cool little find. Paul is a musical genius, so even this 'lofi' effort is great. There is nothing brilliant but it is mostly a lot of fun.
4 stars for fun stereo panning on what is a 3 star album
Teddy Boy and Maybe I’m Amazed.
Nothing terrible here, but nothing I will listen to again. It wasn't a bad listen, but I didn't get anything out of it.
My first paul solo project! The only one left to listen to is ringo now! Clearly the bluesiest and goofiest beatles of them all. Might be jumping the gun on this one, but it might be my favorite out of all the beatles solo projects so far. So warm, so fun, and Paul isn't afraid to get weird with it
McCartney is experimenting with American sounds, American music. It doesn't get me. It's still McCartney. Immensly talented singer and songwriter. It's also an important album in the history of music since it was solo debut of McCartney after the breakup of The Beatles. Still expected more.
Pleasant but not my favourite. I like Every night quite a lot, the rest is okay. 3.5
decent, highlight is the obvious Maybe I'm amazed. The others are standard Beatles filler fare
It's McCartney, so it's pretty easy to enjoy and great. 4.5
It is all the reasons I’ve never enjoyed his work. Dull and derivative.
Very good easy listening, my favorite was “Junk”
There’s a few great songs on here but overall it was just a decent album for me. 3.5
The ballads are ace, the rest is mehhh.
STANDOUTS: Maybe I'm Amazed OVERALL: 2/5
Really mellow and enjoyable. Familiar and different simultaneously.
While this is not Paul’s best solo record, there is a lot to love. His melodies are just so incredible and enjoyable, despite some songs on here feeling like demos.
This was okay, but not really my thing.
Just a bit bland.
I think of John, himself and George I definitely like his post Beatles music the least, even if he was the most successful
A lot of sketches on this I wish he would have built out I to something more. One known banger that would have easily been a Beatles hit had they been together. This album is small, weaker, raw. It's good. Not great.
This is the album that killed The Beatles apparently. Paul made it in secret, and they all got pissed when he released it because it took the shine off of the album they released: Let It Be. Apparently both albums dropped on the same day, and McCartney refused to change the release date. McCartney's album feels unfinished. Like he had a bunch of ideas and quickly scrambled to put them on tape. It's not the worst thing I've ever heard, but if he had spent more time on it and actually recorded it in a studio instead of his own house, I think it would have been better. I feel the album is more of a fuck you to the Beatles than anything. Favourite songs: Maybe I'm Amazed, Oo You, Momma Miss America, Man We Was Lonely, Every Night, Junk Least favourite songs: The Lovely Linda 4/5
sehr gutes Album, perfekt remastered.
There are some very lovely sounds in here. I may have had my expectations too high going in on account of Paul McCartney’s stature, but I have to admit that I was a little disappointed with this one. It was like eating a sundae that had good but not great ice cream, but then just some basic fudge and a couple of obligatory nuts. I need sprinkles and cherries to be impressed.
If Paul McCartney sang to me like he does to lovely Linda I don’t think I’d be a lesbian anymore. Teehee
Some amazing songs on here and some of McCartney's best but there's also a lot of filler on here that lets it down.
mccartney
My first thought of McCartney was that it was slightly unrefined, especially when compared to his music just a few years later. Upon learning the unrefined aspect was purposeful and Paul McCartney created this album from start to finish by himself, this album began making a lot more sense. A lot of the album does sound similar to some Beatles songs, which isn't a bad thing--he was one fourth of the band and a prominent songwriter! Because of his songwriter status, I found myself more drawn to the instrumental "Singalong Junk," which I believe showed McCartney's instrument prowess. Not a bad album, but I recognize that McCartney had a lot of growing musically yet to come and that's what makes this album sound unfinished. I definitely enjoyed hearing an early solo album that isn't as well known today as something like Band on the Run.
This album marks McCartney's first album as a solo/non-Beatles artist, so there's certainly a bit of history attached to this. While McCartney would become (arguably) the most famous Beatle from a non-Beatles career perspective, his first post-Beatles album was definitely not the strongest of the first post-Beatles albums (if you must know, it's George Harrison's "All Things Must Pass", and I won't be explaining myself at this time). This album may seem a little bit too simple or even unfinished, but it's a bit more impressive when you consider that Paul did ALL of the instrumentation himself. And while the album may be lacking, it has one of McCartney's most famous and heralded solo songs: Maybe I'm Amazed. This song deserves its accolades, but most of the album does not match this song's caliber. Another thing to consider is that this album is essentially the first indie rock album, as the lo-fi, "homemade" qualities are what the album is most known for and what indie artists would go on to chase. Paul would definitely go on to do much better things with his post-Beatles career, but if nothing else, this album demonstrated that he had plenty of ideas coming out the gate.
Ladies and gentlemen...the Beatle! This record is proof enough that Paul would need a little polishing to find his own sound outside of the Fab Four. Given that this record was released right after Abbey Road, I can't help but compare the two albums. Because on one hand this feels like some throw away collection of jam tracks during the Let It Be recordings, but on the other, there's not a lot of personality coming through on most of these tracks. But it's still Paul, and it's still legendary, if only for the way it was recorded (at home with shitty equipment) that would go on to inspire millions of bedroom rockers. Also I guess Maybe I'm Amazed is okay.
Self-indulgent slop from the too-cute Beatle.
Very Beatles/ Paul McCartney
Maybe I'm Amazed accounts for 1 of the stars.
Maybe I’m amazed is a banger but I think the rest would need to marinate with me to have a larger impact.
Great album! Maybe I’m Amazed is one of my favorite songs and this album was a short, fun listen.
I don’t dislike this album, but I think the common criticism is fair - it feels like a bunch of half-baked ideas.
I really admire how cool and normal Paul McCartney is. And I really admire how cool and normal McCartney by Paul McCartney is.
Great to hear a generational talent just messing around in his home studio all raw and lo-fi
Maybe I’m Amazed is a song I’ve heard in the past, the rest was basically new but also didn’t really move me. Not sure why this one is on here sorry Paul!
Can Paul McCartney make bad music? Remains to be seen. This album isn't bad at all, but there's not much from it that sticks out to me. I appreciate that he sounds a lot different than I'm used to hearing, but it's nowhere near as impressive or interesting as Band on the Run. That said, "Maybe I'm Amazed" is a classic rock staple. I wouldn't be surprised if there's another, better McCartney solo album out there. I'm just losing trust in this listmaker. Favorite tracks: That Would Be Something, Momma Miss America, Maybe I'm Amazed. Album art: Really cool art here, undeniably so. Looks like a bowl of cherries has been ransacked and spread over a marble counter strip, but behind that is just a black void. It's very striking contrast. How many times must I note that I love red/white/black combos? This one's got some color too it, not true white, but the effect is real. 3/5
Deliberately half-baked and throwaway in nature, this is P-Mac trolling and taking the piss, and for the most part I like it. Especially ‘Maybe I’m Amazed’, one of the great love songs of all time.
Simple, quick, solid
I was bored by the album, even the most popular song, Maybe I'm Amazed. I've heard that song before.
This was fine, but nothing impressed me
One man's Junk is another man's... good song.
With this being Paul McCartney's solo debut album after being in the biggest band of all time, obviously expectations were astronomical. While there are glimpses here of McCartney's greatness, with the entire 13-track record clocking under 35 minutes, it doesn't provide much depth ultimately. Also, half of the songs on the album being instrumentals is not something I anticipated. With McCartney's strengths lying in his lyrics and songwriting, it was a bit of a disservice to me to have this ratio of songs with no words at all. With a lot to live up to, I believe Sir Paul falls a little flat in this initial solo venture. There are a few highlights, but this is far from the most memorable project he's been apart of. Notable Tracks: Valentine Day - first of a few cool instrumentals Every Night Oo You Maybe I'm Amazed - never heard the original version before, but it stacks up to the more famous live version
Nothing really special. Didn’t blow my socks off like wings. 3/5
Loved it. Sir Paul is amazing. Album is 54 years old and still great
not a huge man of McCartney's solo work i guess. it was aight, but doesn't sound like there is a ton of experimentation going on. Kreen Akrore was cool, but everything else just melded together.
I know I am supposed to like it because it's Paul but I struggled to
This wasn’t worth breaking up the Beatles over, kinda mid:(
Lately I've been thinking about how hard it is to figure out how to say goodbye and end cycles in a healthy way. Paul McCartney was really struggling emotionally after the Beatles break up, he ended up isolating himself living in "the heart of the country" and removing himself from public life. This album was born out of that situation, on him figuring out how to carve his post-Beatle path. Rather than get the greatest musicians possible to release a polished album with a huge budget, he instead recorded everything himself in his house. This gives it an early low-fi vibe, which was at once sounds wonderfully intimate but which veers sometimes into sounding unfinished. The critics hated the album when it came out, a feeling I differ with greatly but understand. After all it would be weird in real time to hear leader of the most popular band ever releasing something which sounds so raw and under-produced. I can imagine listening to on Valentine Day and being like "what is this half-assed shit. Some moments so demo-y it's almost amazing he put it to record. But it's also the rawness and lack of production which gives the album it's strength. You feel like you are there with him, songs like Junk are so warm/personal and understated in such a powerful way . It feels like someone singing to his friends, to the world around him. He also attempts some experimental stuff on this album, in a way that is very interesting but doesn't feel done to it's full potential. For example Hot as sun/glasses starts as a peaceful song that makes you feel like you are on vacation with people you love , and then segway's very strangely into "glasses" an experimental track that is played with actual glasses that is very dissonant and eeary. Then Paul abruptly begins playing and singing and up-beat song on the piano for like 20 seconds before moving on the very melancholic song "junk" Each individual section of these songs are really good and the contrasts make them even more interesting but it all happens so fast. It's like a snapshot rather than a cohesive thought-out idea. Which is what I think is what this album is. A snapshot of Paul McCartney in this moment, brilliant sometimes a bit indulgent. Beautiful pop melodies co-existing with rockers and odd tidbits. He no longer needs to edit anything out due to being a band, and he takes you with him as he throws ideas at the wall and figures out his path after a traumatic experience in his life (the beatles break-up)
I haven't listened to this before. Very McCartney.
A bit light and fluffy but also cosy and intimate in the most McCartney of ways. Two or three genuine classics on here. Also two or three bum songs.
I'm not even going to deny I'm a bit biased when giving this album 4 stars. There are some genuinely good tracks here, Paul was fresh of the beatles and looking to experiment a little bit. That meant there were also some ok tracks. I really like the album though, so four stars it is.
3 - It's okay, really. Some good songs, but not enough for a higher rating. I could see this getting a higher rating in the future from me, if the deep cuts that slightly piqued my interest end up growing on me, but only time will tell.
An etherial, chill album that's half instrumental, half sung. Less like an album & more like a chill jam sesh, however it works due to the album's length, being only 35 minutes, keeping the listener from getting tired of some of the more repetitive natures of the album. 'Hot As Sun/Glasses' is the standout instrumental, with the final section of the song sounding about 30 years ahead of its time. 'Junk' contains a hauntingly beautiful melody & 'Teddy Boy' showcases the best storytelling present in the album. Overall, while not a particularly strong album, the length and varied tones of the songs keeps it from being a bore.
It was fine as background noise. Did not love it, but did not hate it. Overall, not bad.
More of an archive than an album. “Maybe I’m Amazed” is the gem that resulted from this creative isolation post Beatles. Overall there’s a few glimmering moments among many incomplete ideas. But that’s the point I suppose. Throughout the album I can hear Paul trying to figure out how he can go on without the Beatles, I guess it’s like finding a sketch book of a famous artist. Most songs don’t feel complete but given the context and the timing it’s ok. It’s interesting to listen to knowing all that now but I would’ve been pretty disappointed if I spent money on this with high expectations back in 1970. I’ve always loved the album cover though.
It's the Beatles without the rest of the Beatles. McCartney puts together great melodies and is a very talented musician, so this was pleasant to listen to. I'm a big Billy Joel fan, and I can hear a bit of what influenced him on this album, particularly on his Cold Spring Harbor debut which came out a year after this in 1971 (and is a better album in my opinion). Maybe I'm Amazed is my favorite.
I'm a huge Beatles fan; I can't overstate this. When I find something sacred like that, I slow down and take things very slowly; instead of buying everything I can, I get an album and give it a listen for a year or more to reel in the amount of inspiration I feel before picking up the next one, knowing there's a finite amount of material. In the solo realms, I first went to George Harrison since he seemed like he had a lot more to say than what he was allowed previously. Then I went to the true genius of John, who is still my favorite. Paul had so much material that I didn't know where to start, but I started listening to some Wings and solo stuff here and there, but never played a full album. And so here I am, happy to devote a little time to McCartney, which I'm finding is his first release of material post-Beatles. "Every Night" is the first actual song here, a bit reminiscent of "You Never Give Me Your Money." The first song I recognize is "Junk," which was presented to the Beatles during the White Album demo sessions at George's new house, and this actualized version is perfect, with the right lyrics, great jazzy chord sequence, simple arrangement, and falsetto notes. George Martin said it first, and I must agree: no one can sing like Paul. He can hit a note in most any range and sound clear as a bell or invent death metal (i.e., "Helter Skelter"). I knew "Teddy Boy" from Anthology 3 and the Let It Be sessions. I can see why the Beatles passed on this one. Of course, "Maybe I'm Amazed" is the big single here, and it's beautiful. "Baby, I'm amazed at the way you pulled me out of time." What a touching sentiment. Like McCartney II and III, Paul plays all of the instruments on this album. I knew he could do noise-rock lead guitar like his solo on "Taxman" but I find his more tonal bluesy lead playing surprisingly impressive. The other tracks from McCartney feel a bit like the Abbey Road medley, a collection of song ideas or jams that never quite took their own form and just thrown together. In a way, this a grandiose demo tape of what Paul would sound like without his better half. In that way, with so much public baggage behind him and so much expectation of what he'll do next, this is a pretty daring first foray, but its subversion of expectation freed up his future, allowing him to do whatever he wanted next. Play it again. . . . and what's next, Paul?
This sounded like you'd expect, the logical next step coming off of the Beatles' last work. I liked the instrumental songs, just the Idea of having some rock instrumentals interspersed there. Paul's lyrics as often as not seem kind of "filler" not having much to really say, like they really are secondary to the music. Of course there are a few silly love songs, his specialty. I love how much he loved Linda, fitting that the opener was one about her. I was surprised to read about what was happening when this was created. John had already unofficially left, so Paul used that time to make this. I think this was Paul realizing he didn't want to stop making music and him trying to figure out how to move forward on his own.
This is a relaxed stripped down sounding album. Reading some of the bio on it, it's interesting that he recorded it secretly. I am more of an early to mid era Beatles fan rather than the latter stuff like Let It Be or Abby Road, which is what this McCartney album sort of sounds like. I think somehow it went well with my sleep deprived state today. Parts of the album sound like movie scenes from a sleepy town. Some of it sounds like demos or just unfinished ideas for songs but it still worked. Paul always has such a muted/muffled bass sound compared to more out front bass players like Les Claypool or Flea. I think my favorite was 'Every Night'. It's also interesting to see what Paul is like by himself without John, George and Ringo.
I've been suffering a bit with Beatles-fatigue having worked through 68% of this list, but this album was quite refreshing, Paul cutting loose and being a bit more groovy.
Kudos to Paul that he was brave enough to come out with such a terrible album straight after his stint with Beatles. He deserves at least one star for it. But it's undeniably bad and boring, really surprising stuff.
The best songs were basically unused Beatles songs
Not bad for a McCartney Solo Album
Other than Band on The Run, I've never listened to a Paul McCartney solo album (and I don't count that one anyway, since it was with Wings). But hey, this is Paul McCartney, and I love Paul McCartney, so this has to be good, right? Well, unfortunately not. Aside from the fantastic "Maybe I'm Amazed," this album was pretty much a bore from start to finish. I didn't care much for the instrumental tracks, and the tracks with vocals weren't a lot better. I was really pretty stunned by how much I didn't like this, because I really love Paul's singing. I appreciate the fact that Paul recorded all of this on his own, but the end result sounds like a rough demo instead of something crafted by someone working on transitioning from being in a band to launching a solo career. I think this was my first time hearing the album version of "Maybe I'm Amazed," and I enjoyed this version much more than the live version. The emotion in the vocals and the guitar playing on the album version sound so much better than the live version that I've come to know. I did like the bluesy guitars and and cowbell on "Oo You" as well, but no other songs stuck out to me. I appreciate this album's place in music history, but I don't think I'd ever come back to it.
I wasn’t anticipating this being as bad as it was. I love maybe I’m amazed but that’s not enough to help all the others. Feels rushed and incomplete which I guess makes sense with the context of what was going on with the Beatles and such at the time.
It was fine. I hate to two star a McCartney album but it just felt bland. There was not a memorable song in the album from my perspective.
After a few not so great albums in a row, it was nice to get some good music, and from a Beatle nonetheless! I was thinking this was a no-doubt four, but then Kreen-Akrore came on and the doubts came in. There’s a timeless classic in Maybe I’m Amazed and another personal favorite in Every Night, but I don’t think that’s enough to solidify that four rating. And I gotta say, it is really impressive that McCartney recorded it all himself.
What a breath of fresh air! Very easy to listen to, and I wish there was more of it. A solid album with one of the most iconic songs ever on it.
Старина отошёл от студийных изысков и сделал домашний альбом. Сырой лоу-фай звучит приятно, а вот то что сами мелодии не везде на максимум - это да
Has its moments
Interesting first solo from him. Not much to really grab on to besides the obvious "hit" but I can see the appeal.
Classic
It made me feel very happy listening to it.
McCartney is fairly disappointing. I can imagine listening to this in 1970, shortly after the end of greatest band up til then was even more disappointing. Junk is a beautiful song and Maybe I’m Amazed is a well deserved classic but at this point, it’s clear Paul needs to John, George and Ringo to elevate himself. 4.4/10
Short and sweet without fillers. Great album. I liked how blusey it was.
Somehow have never heard this before, but I really like it—very simple and effortless, in a good way. I like the cover too.
I know this guy
3 ok album but Paul should do better
A couple of years ago, I did a complete listen of the entire Beatles solo material. I started with Ringo’s first album, “The Sentimental Journey,” and worked my way through the entire solo catalogue in chronological release order, alternating between different Beatles as they released their albums. This album was the second one I listened to. Below is what I wrote at the time: “It's good. Some of the songs are too short/feel unfinished. For an album Paul was desperate to release on time, it really feels like he could've put a little more time into it. "Maybe I'm Amazed" is clearly the standout track and I don't think anybody would say otherwise. The fact that he and Linda recorded this album themselves is very impressive, but overall it just mostly falls kinda flat. It mostly doesn't carry that McCartney "Granny music" feel here much, which is nice as that's what I expected. It isn't too cutesy, or obnoxious or anything. It's just ok. It feels like a lot of songs that wouldn't have made it on a Beatles album as they were and also "Maybe I'm Amazed." Looking forward to hearing what "Ram" is like, and hoping it sounds more complete and interesting. This whole thing feels more like a thought experiment - "Can I make a good album all on my own?" The answer was "almost."” I rather like what I wrote and I’ll stand by it here. I’ve heard Beatles and McCartney fans fawn over “Junk” but I do not get it. Sure the chord progression and melody are interesting but that’s where it ends for me. This is one of Paul’s worst good albums and I am surprised it’s on here. But the author of the book clearly had an affinity for debut albums of English musicians. Overall this is fine and I liked it a little more than before but not much. Two and a half stars, rounded to 3 because Paul. Standout tracks: That Would be Something, Oo You, Mamma Miss America, Maybe I’m Amazed
Pure and honest. Couldn't listen to the whole album too often, but there's a genuineness that you didn't find from the Beatles stuff.
Nice album. Some really great drumlines and basslines that I'm surprised haven't been sampled more.
5.5/10
Fine.
The album is so well balanced with some slow soothing tracks and then a Little Rock and roll stuff .. keeps you entertained
Saw a review that said this was more of a sketchbook than an album. I totally agree, but while i think that person meant it negatively, i think its awesome
Paul had much better records, this one feels more like a jam session
Sounds mostly like outtakes with the exception of two very good songs. Maybe I’m Amazed and Junk
Not even Maybe I'm Amazed can polish this absolute turd of an album.
Paul’s first post Beatles album is nothing short of incredible. The dude played every instrument on this, you could tell he was bound for greatness from the first track
Really really solid, much more scaled-back from Beatles albums but awesome nonetheless. Works very well listening to it as a whole in one sitting. Some standouts: Every Night, Momma Miss America, Maybe I'm Amazed.
I had never heard anything from this album except Maybe I'm Amazed. I really enjoyed it. It's like a proto-Guided by Voices. McCartney never disappoints
He ain't much without Lennon. Poor lad.
yep
McCartney is the first solo album by Paul, just weeks before their last album Let It Be was release, wich create some beef with others members. The album was recorded with Linda in a scottish ranch, very mininalistic, with only the two playing all the instruments. All the songs could be consider folk rock i think, but the minimalistic effect really stand out and some are completely instrumental or have 1 sentences like Hit Like Sun Glasse, valentine day, Singalong Junk and Kreen-Akore wich were moslty improvised. Maybe I’m amaze is the song that stand out the most, one of McCartney most known solo songs, and with the piano driven riff, back vocals and beautiful lyrics is a very good song. Other good songs: Teddy Bear, That Would Be Something, Man We Was Lonely and The Lovely Linda. The songs are moslty very short, and not that impactfull but the whole make something very cool. Mam We Was Lonely is probably the most Beatles-Like of them all, like fr the White Album, so of course i like it. The album really feel Paul and Linda, and the space in wich they concived the album is also very important, it dosen’t feel like a Beatles album or just a way to surf on their success just a cool simple album with his wife in a far away ranch.
i miss the beatles
As a big Beatles fan, I enjoyed this less than I thought I would. Some of the songs felt half made, like just two lines repeated a bunch. Cool to hear Paul's voice on songs I didn't know though
This is actually way better than I was expecting it to be. Some genuinely lovely little ditties in here, and the whole affair strikes me as being surprisingly brave for a multi-millionaire.
Love Linda’s husband This was lovely for a sunny day 3.8 Favs Man we was lonely Every night Hot as sun/ glasses Maybe I’m amazed
4/5 - I really enjoyed this. Had the potential to be 5/5 if the songs were more complete. Standout tracks: - Every night 5/5 - Maybe I'm amazed 5/5 this reminded me of Mountain I'd say I'm officially a fan of Paul McCartney
Hab das Album erst vor einer Woche entdeckt, lustiger Zufall. Habs nochmal durch gehört und meine Favoriten sind That Would Be Something und Maybe I'm Amazed. Ich finds sehr cool dass er es ganz alleine sehr primitiv aufgenommen hat
It’s not bad, but let’s be honest: if this wasn’t the product of an ex-Beatle no one would have cared.
This album really goes to show how well The Beatles work as a team. Paul is often thought of as THE Beatle, the mastermind behind the majority of their music. But even with that, when he makes an album away from the other 3, it's just kinda meh. This is perfectly listenable, but it's nothing compared to some of the best albums in The Beatles' discography. But it's one that I can definitely see growing on me.
Loved junk, man we were lonely, teddy boy and maybe I’m amazed
Skipping from song to song, brings sunshine to my life, cohesive but full of little drops of sunshine
Just didn’t hit. Started playing it then 35 minutes went by and it was over 🤷♂️
It would be pretty unsuprisng to say this was quite beatles esque. It was not amazing but not awful either I liked most of the songs but none of them particularly stood out to me
I thought this was a really good album but I don't know if I see the hype about McCartney being one of the greatest song writers of all time. I think a lot of it was elevated coffee shop music, but I will say the instrumentals showed off a lot more creativity than the tracks with vocals and I do think that deserves a lot of credit. By 1970 though, I don't know if any of this is true Earth shattering.
Pop-rock de McCartney. Ni fu ni fa.
Not really a fan but it was OK I think.
Cant hate this is a great album
i love it i love paul -- so many ideas on here but also some great songs
A collection of sweet minimalist pop and jam tunes, a stark contrast to McCartney's previous lushful work with the Beatles. Half the tracks feel like McCartney fooling around and jamming. Hardly anything impressive and sometimes boring in those, but it's nevertheless relaxing and carries that signature Beatles pop style with plenty of innovation. It's also pretty inconsistent, with all sorts of styles dispersed without much tying them together. Songs feel randomly placed, as if separate ideas turned into songs that were just mashed together into a release. Especially that 2nd side. "Kreen-Akrore" was the worst choice to close the record. But with how much of an outlier it is, it would have been better just to cut it out. There are, however, several standout tracks. "Every Night" and "Junk" are simple yet beautiful, and it's a shame not all the tracks are like that.
Ok but not the amazing hit after hit album I was expecting. Shouldn’t be on this list.
Liked it more than the Lennon solo album. The instrumentals were really good. No offence to Paul's voice, but I preferred the bits he wasn't singing on.
As much as The Beatles are praised for their innovative and intricate production, you often sense a yearning from the band to simplify and strip songs back to basics. This seemed to be an ongoing theme of the Beatles' solo output - at least to begin with - as if sheer exhaustion from producing so much extraordinary music and navigating internal band politics had them wanting to sit with guitar or piano and just record whatever came out. And the likelihood that it would be good - certainly better than most - would be confidently high - because look at what they accomplished before. And, so, naturally, McCartney solo (and John and George) will always be compared to The Beatles collectively and found wanting. But, here, this fine album finds a relaxed Paul (perhaps relaxed sounding, as Wikipedia suggests he was feeling depressed and confused), playing and making what he likes, overdubbing on four-track, experimenting a little but pleasing nobody but himself - and that sounds like a good place to be.
Better than expected
ball mcfartney
Everyone knows that mccartney is good
Interesting album 3/5
53 years later I’m finally hearing McCartneys first solo album. Pretty good.
A lot of incomplete ideas. Some gems
there are better paul mccartney albums.. but this one still slaps 4.2/5
Eh, not for me.
Unfortunately forgettable. McCartney is the best composer of the Beatles without much competition but he's also the least interesting. He's not a wacked out spiritualist like Harrison, and wild peace promoting hypocrite like Lenon or flamboyant like Ringo. The music on this first solo effort is very well done but doesn't really bring anything novel or exceptional to the table. All around a lukewarm effort even though McCartney remains my favorite Beatle.
What about RAM? Is RAM on the list? A mere week after the Beatles disbanded, Paul McCartney releases his debut solo album. This is an incredibly gentle album, which perhaps comes from a desire to strip down his songs such they don't require a full band arrangement. Makes sense! The result is some mostly folksy pop songs that aren't too notable. I get the sense that this first solo album is a warmup for McCartney, flexing his songwriting for his own artistic vision and no one else while also finding a tone he's comfortable with. Nothing wrong with that, but also not much to get excited about. He even has two "junk" songs which goes to show you how he feels about his own songs. Despite this, most of this album is a pretty pleasant listen. Not remarkable, but pleasant. That's gotta be worth something.
I think this album is underrated. Maybe I'm Amazed is a classic. Every Night is great, possibly the best on the album. Love the guitar tone in Momma Miss America. Swithering between 4 & 5, but I really enjoyed listening to this today, so I'm going with 5.
It was alright. Paul's first solo album. A bit odd at points. Some well known songs. It was relatively short.
Standouts: Maybe I’m Amazed, Lovely linda, That Would Be Something, Every Night, Man We Was Lonely, Momma Miss America. 4.5/5
This is a fun solo album but in the pantheon of post-Beatles solo work it’s somewhere in the middle. This, mostly instrumental album is beautifully played and produced. McCartney sounds fine and you can feel the fun he had making it.
Was ready to give this album a skip after a few songs, but things really started to pick up from Junk onwards. It's very rough and I don't think I'd listen to anything on this album again, but I'm glad to have heard it.
Enjoyed the experimentation and lo-fi feel. Not every track is great but there are plenty of gems to keep you entertained
I really enjoyed the instrumental tracks on this one. The monkey noises and panting at the end was interesting...
Liked Songs Every Night Maybe I'm Amazed
Experimental and from the heart.
The Lovely Linda – 4 That Would Be Something – 4 Valentine Day – 4 Every Night – 5 Hot As Sun / Glasses – 4.5 Junk – 5 Man We Was Lonely – 4.5 Oo You – 4 Momma Miss America – 4 Teddy Boy – 4 Singalong Junk – 4 Maybe I’m Amazed – 5 Kreen-Akrore – 4 Average – 4.3 Gotta love Paul 👍
It was a solid ok album.
Paul McCartney is famous for a reason, still, not my favorite
Okay
2 stars. Demos and not great ones at that
Amazing album.
I wanted to come into this with my normal baseline 'meh' toward McCartney's solo work. But half the tracks on this really really worked for me. I appreciate the pure "acousticness" of it.
Interesting
Pretty good! It's impressive how talented all four Beatles were in their heyday. Favorite track: "Every Night."
Nothing here is really that great, but theninstrumental track I do like.
An enjoyable listen for McCartney's first solo endeavor. I think I'm probably more of a fan of his solo releases after this record based on what I've heard from some of the more popular tracks, but nonetheless I enjoyed this. May not revisit but look forward to additional records from his solo catalogue.
It's fine. Favorite songs: - Momma Miss America - Maybe I'm Amazed
Good
After digging into the history of this album, you can't help but appreciate how this was manifested from the ashes of the Beatles and what he was going through mentally. Paul did everyone on this album by himself with some vocal help from Linda and it's simplicity and raw/lofi aesthetic is very cool for that era.
A bit of Beatles, I really enjoyed the instrumentals on the album. Some of the songs hinted at other Beatle songs before turning into something different. Very nice listening album.
headaches
Ratings: 5: I will happily play this album anytime 4: I may occasionally play this album of my own free will 3: I will happily listen to this if someone plays it in the background 2: I will tolerate this if it is playing in the background 1: I will leave the room if someone plays this in the background I enjoyed this one. Enough variety to keep the interest throughout. Always loved Maybe I'm Amazed (especially live). Had never actually listened to the entire album before now.
Better than I expected. I guess he was a better Beatle than John. But.. I’m rating this a few days after listening and I actually don’t remember that much from the album, so not that memorable or not worth remembering? A quick re-listen tells me: worth remembering but not that memorable.
McCartney's solo career has always reflected what a quaint songwriter he is – there are truly some odd little tracks in his discography, and while not all of them work the whole run has been remarkably solid. This first solo LP embodies that spirit, containing an eclectic mix of short ideas, interludes, instrumentals, and anthems that feel like a post-Beatles release of energy. The album could stand to gain some more connective tissue seeing as it feels so piecemeal, but each track has enough ideas or charm to gloss things over slightly and make this a decent listen.
Not his best solo stuff but still pretty good
Love that guy — his solo career (outside of Wings & "Ram") is rather weak.
The rest of the album is so mediocre, it makes Maybe I’m Amazed feel like the greatest song ever
Sweet album - wonderfully short with some great songs.
Man this man can write music. Not my favorite sound ever, but the lyrics and melodies are transcendent.
I enjoyed the actual songs on this album. However there's alot of fluff and filler which slightly detracts from it and seems unnecessary.
Maybe I’m amazed is a classic, I enjoy a lot of the other songs on this one too :)
Not bad by any stretch but nothing special to me
LOVED this!
Love Every Night. Such a nicely structured song with very clean vocals and beautiful acoustic instrumentation. Love the jangle of the acoustic guitar popping in and out of focus. Man We Was Lonely is an unexpectedly southern-drawly plonk of a tune. I really dig it and the spaced out guitar melody that he employs. Interesting mix on Oo You that separates the bass entirely into the right can, with the guitar almost isolated to the left. It makes me feel a little off balance TBH, but it is really interesting. You can hear both parts so clearly and separately. Momma Miss America taps a vein that I love. Really crass mix on the drums, but it grooves so hard with the bass line. Love the spacious, jammy keywork over top of it all. Standout track that feels like they were probably just jamming in the studio loosely. This was a disjointed listen for me, but mostly a pleasurable one. I've definitely heard Maybe I'm Amazed before, and it is a jam. Enjoyed the spaced out percussive mess that is Kreen-Akrore as a closer. This was an interesting listen and not at all what I had expected. Plenty of variety and feels like Paul really let his hair down. To me this is a high 3 leaning 4.
Good album. Haven't listened to this album much in the past all the way through. I have always loved the song Every Night. 4 stars for me
Folky! Momma Miss America is a jam. I'm fairly certain Gramatik must have sampled this song. I'll have to track down which song it is. Singalong Junk is a peaceful number. This album felt a bit lackluster to begin (for Paul McCartney) but really shaped up toward the end to square away the 4 stars that I wanted to give it.
That was an album for sure. Nothing stood out really except the piano was pretty good. Kreen-Akrore was an unexpected but cool way to end it.
Ah the debut of McCartney. Reading about this album he definitely seemed like an asshole but was also going through some depression it seems. This album has so much potential but seems like Paul just wanted to get it out before any other Beatles solo albums. Pretty gay to have your first song that after the whole ordeal but whatever. Every Night is a jam and Parcels has an awesome cover of it. A lot of nice instrumental jams on this one but again seems a bit rushed. That is until Maybe I'm Amazed which is one of the greatest love songs of all time. I put it on so many of my playlists cuz it scratches so many itches.
This rules, I love it
Should be better for one of the Beatles no?
Paul was just jamming on this one, and I respect that. Sounded like a bunch of demos rather than an album though.
Well, there’s Maybe I’m Amazef… beyond that not much. Some borrow heavily from earlier Beatles songs. Some experimental oddities.
Pretty meh overall
Couldn't listen. Tracks were not displayed
I've never listened to this McCartney album and it has vibes. Definitely sounds fresher now than it probably did at the time of releases. Nonetheless, some stuff is undercooked and probably needed another pass through.
Good for Paul that he was able to get his ideas out with this one. Definitely good stuff on here, but his next one is where he really got cooking
Jättemycke bättre än ja vänta mig shoutout mccartney
Not even close to being a classic, but it's a nice listen. 3.5
Solid, if minor album. More like a sketchbook, with a couple of standout McCartney tunes, especially "Maybe I'm Amazed," which has stood the test of time. Paul might have been at an emotional low at the time because of the breakup of the Beatles, but his excellent musicianship is evident, as he plays every instrument very well and is in good voice. It was nice to revisit this album.
Paul is missing John and George here. Hell, he's even missing Ringo. This is utter tripe. Hard pass.
Very talented to play pretty much all instruments. Lots of catchy pop, but only a few full songs, which are good and one incredibly excellent and timeless hit song. Band on the run is the McCartney album to choose, but this isn’t all awful.
Surprisingly bleh album. Maybe Im Amazed is an all time classic, but a lot of the other numbers just seemed like goof off filler. 2.5/5
I feel like I expected a lot more from this album than what I really got. I didn’t enjoy it as much as I expected to. I think it was completely average honestly, but could’ve been more.
I often hear of this album being an "inspiration" to future lo-fi experiments and releases yet this album still sounds so much better than lo-fi rock...even though it really is not much more than a demo. Still, hearing Paul McCartney sing a demo (most evident on his over-saturated vocals) is an unfair advantage that...well, only Paul had. Cheater. I don't know - it's not "great" but I legitimately enjoy the simplicity of it and always have liked his vocals and the way he crafts his melodies. A simple 4. Plus "Maybe I'm Amazed" is just legendary so come on... 7/10 4 stars.
When it comes to McCartney's solo debut, the cover artwork is as wonderful and precise as the music is unfocused and irrelevant. Compare this to John Lennon's own solo debut *Plastic Ono Band* and weep, Beatles fans! Heck, you can even compare this to *McCartney II*, released ten years later, and weep all the same. *II*--not selected by Dimery--was filled with all sorts of amazing ideas between off-kilter tracks and more naive ditties. In comparison, *90%* of *McCartney I* is just made out of naive ditties, and all of them sound *unfinished* to boot! The former Beatles famously confused "simplicity" with hollowness and self-indulgence with this one. Worse, the promotion of this thing--and its timing just as the Fab Four were breaking up--was just awful. And even today, that ridiculous retrospective assessment claiming that it was the first "lo-fi LP"--just because it was supposedly a "homemade recording"--is one of the most grating statements ever pronounced about an album. *McCartney* has a sound way too clear and pristine (one of its rare merits, actually) to be considered as such. You really feel like Dimery hasn't thought it through when he used a slot for this debut--a slot that could have been put for far better use! Should I list the names of all the slighted artists here? The only thing contradicting this overall assessment is obviously the stellar composition "Maybe I'm Amazed", whose careful build-up and emotional soaring vocal parts pay off right away. But one sole good song a good album doesn't make. Especially when it's the penultimate track on an otherwise particularly dull and boring record. Objectively, I could give a 1.5/5 grade to this thing, translating to a 6.5/10 mark for purposes that would be more general than the ones used of this list (5 + 1.5). Because the music's too f*cking bland to even be considered as "offensive", which is what most 1/5 records on this list are to be blamed for. But for once, I'm gonna round up my final grade *negatively*. Call that a protest of sorts against this particularly useless selection in the 1001 Albums book. Number of albums left to review: 273 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 321 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 178. Albums from the list I won't include in mine (many other records are more important to me): 234 (including this one)
Loads of fun and sweet and groovy hooks and melodies ("Lovely Linda," "Junk, "Every Night"), though most are feel than fully developed and/or outright unfinished. The playful vibe sounds like the product of personal happiness. One may prefer the pleasantly loose rag-bag effect to the often overly polished Paul. "Maybe I'm Amazed" has never been a particular fave but sounds great here in contrast to the (comparative) bits and bobs that surround it.
Really good actually
Classic Paul. Nothing ground breaking but good to listen to!
I was surprised how few of these songs had more than a couple words thrown together for lyrics but reading about the background of this album, it made more sense. I'm a lifelong Beatles fan and Paul has always been my favourite, although I've devoted very little time to his solo work. I enjoyed this and would listen to it again.
Lovely and sad pure form music.
This should be called ‘maybe I’m amazed plus 12 other songs’ Lo-fi, listless and lack of effort combined
Nothing too special except for: Junk Maybe I’m Amazed
It’s funny to describe this album as Beatles-esque, but it totally is. The songs are shorter than I expected and there’s a few instrumental songs too. McCartney is plenty talented and it shows. Enjoyed my time with this one.
1970. Maybe I’m Amazed is the only track I know, but just for that song:
very good, much better than I imagined and definitely hear Beatles influence. Would like to listen some more. Probably a 4.5
Favorite Tracks: Maybe I’m Amazed That Would Be Something Man We Was Lonely
Good as you'd expect but not great considering some of his output. 3*