Band On The Run

Band on the Run is really good, and I love Jet but those were not enough to elevate this album above a 2

Great album-love it

Meh 2 star

Why did I sleep in this?

Standouts Band on the Run Jet Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five

One of my favourite album covers: Michael Parkinson, Kenny Lynch, James Coburn, Clement Freud, Christopher Lee, and John Conteh. Celebs that were ever present when I was growing up.

3.5/5

I don't even know how to write a review for Band On The Run - it's an essential album full of tremendously interesting and enjoyable songs by the world's greatest songwriter. I think that covers it pretty well actually.

Love Paul McCartney, but still surprised by how much liked this album.

Not as good as the Beatles. But still fantastic!

2.9

great album!

naja, irgendwie wie beatles. und lyrics sind auch nicht literaturpreisverdächtig. sorry!

Was ist schlimmer als Beatles? Ein Solo Album!

Paul - John = <3

It’s ok. Not as interesting and dynamic as a Beatles album and it’s impossible not to compare this side project with his original band

Back to back to back hits. I had no knowledge of this album for the longest time, and isn’t that just a bummer? This is better than at least half of Beatles albums.

Really enjoyed the album - always thought Paul’s solo projects were slightly better than the other ex-Beatles solo projects.

Did not even include the frog song.

Wonderful stuff, for nostalgia and all the great times spent with this album, def a 5

Average

I keep winning

I've never been able to get into the Beatles, let alone the post-work and projects unless it involves Thomas the Tank Engine. I listen to this and can recognize excellent craftsmanship of music and song writing, but as I listen it just makes me wish for anything else because it just does nothing positive for me.

4/5 10 years on from Please Please me and just 3 years after the Beatles split, Paul McCartney has already put out 2 classic records. Ram is my favourite of the two I’m talking about but this record is truly special also. Such great songwriting and musicianship across this album but did anyone at the time really expect anything different from him? Top 3 Songs: Band on the run Let me roll it Nineteen Hundred and Eighth Five

Some ups and downs on here .. lots of musical nice bits and some dated crap.

Out of all the post-Beatles solo albums, this is the best one I’ve heard so far. It varies in styles but remains very melodic with plenty of catchy hooks. The album is also energetic and uplifting. I ended up playing it a second time right after finishing it the first time.

4.3

3.3

Great mix of music arrangements and lyrics!

Enjoyed this more than I thought it would. Some good tracks, and not as twee as The Beatles (for the most part). A solid 4 and something I’d likely return to.

I can dig this. On some level it's the standard fare of any post Beatles vanity project. But then there are glimpses of something deeper and troubling just out of view that I find oddly engrossing here. You can see it in the urgent sax on Mrs Vanderbilt and the not-very-assuring twist it puts on the 'Whats the use of worrying?' chorus, or the generally concerning Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five (this plays a darkly amusing role in the novel Glamorama by Brett Easton Ellis). It's the sound of a screwball stoner comedy set in Liverpool but directed by David Lynch - like at any moment McCartney could stop dead in the middle of a song and start addressing the listener personally. Just when I start to think I'm imagining it, another musical flourish comes along to convince me that this is all meant to be a little bit weird. Just me?

There are moments of real joy on this album, but they are sparse. The title track is creative and fun, and the radio ready Jet is catchy. But the album as a whole amounts to less than the sum of its parts. Tracks like Mrs Vandebilt and Mamunia kept my interest, but songs like Bluebird felt a bit uninspired and didn’t appear to have a lot to say. By the time the plodding Picaso’s Last Words hit I was ready to check out. However, the closer, Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five, tipped the scale back to posit for me. I’m fond of Phil Spectoresque grand finales in my music, and that track is almost worth the price of admission in its grandeur and drama. I’ll spare any overlong ruminations on Sir Paul as a solo artist post-Beatles. Is he overrated? Duh. Does an album like this belong on this list? On its own merits - probably not, but as a peek into how those Beatle boys fared after being heralded as the best thing since sliced bread, this is an important record, with some genuinely listen worthy moments. ✨

Misschien eerder 3,5. Love Paul, en dit album is echt goed! "Mamunia" kende ik nog niet en die vond ik erg mooi.

Pretty good.

I'd agree with Jon Landau, it's probably the best solo output from any Beatle. It's not quite perfect, though.

I have never really enjoyed this album, have always found it a bit uninspired. Whilst there’s a few catchy songs, I’ve never gotten the hype. 3/5

First time listening to this album. I was familiar with a few of the songs already. Pretty solid album

One of my favorite albums of all time. Its tightly produced, dark, stokes feelings of warm summer late nights, and produced to immaculate perfection. Paul McCartney finally sounds free of the tension from the Beatles breakup that occurred 3 years prior, moving forward with swagger and excitement. Unfortunately, Paul McCartney could never really capture this magic again and meandered too much in records passed this one. Instead, he left everything out on the table here. You can hear McCartney's diverse influences and inspirations in country (Band on the Run), Little Richard piano phrases (Jet), the Jazzy horn sections (Jet), the typical I-vi from 50s-60s (Let Me Roll it), the English countryside folk (Mamunia, Picasso's Last Words), 60s psychedelia (No Words), and even funk (1985). And yet, McCartney is able to combine these influences effortlessly with sweet infectious melodies. I love my time each time I spin this record.

I wish the whole thing was just the bubbling frenetic rush of the tile track. The rest of the songs are good, but that first song is fantastic. The rest of the album should be condensed into like, two or three songs. That would be fun! McCartney is at his best when he is pushing the pop envelope, and at his worst when gives too much time to his weird Charlie Chester or Anthony Newley character studies.

I own this album on vinyl, and have listened to it many times, as I bought it when it first came out in 1973. For the most part, I really like it, and think it is by far McCartney’s best post-Beatles album. I think a couple of the songs are too long and meander a bit too much (e.g., Picasso’s Last words). But overall, I think this is a four star album.

great

Brilliant stuff. Best post Beatles Beatle album? Ironically his bass playing is pretty boring.

i really liked it! vocals + harmonies were great and instrumental was also v intentional

Narrative ark is good.

Unexpectedly good album.

I find the singles that kick off the album to be the least interesting ones. Once I got past "Bluebird" I found a handful of songs I genuinely enjoyed, which was a nice surprise. I guess I can understand including this from a historical perspective, but even though I liked some of it I don't think it's a great, essential album experience overall.

Writing this album after being cast as the pop freak of The Beatles and the blame for their demise is the only thing that could revive Paul’s career and he somehow managed to accomplish it. Writing and instrumentals aside, there is truly no better example of why song order is so crucial, especially when you have a career like Paul’s. A hit wouldn’t have reestablished him, but a whole record, one far tighter and more conclusive than the Beatles’ final albums, could and did.

Ik heb misschien wel 5 keer gedacht "Oh misschien ken ik dit nummer? " Voordat het uiteindelijk bij het refrein aankwam. En dat is alleen het eerste nummer! Knaller als opener is dit zeg, meerdere verschillende stijlen in 1 nummer proppen, ik vind dat altijd echt iets vets hebben. Jammer dat het daarna eigenlijk vrij standaard psychrock is. TOT Mrs vandebilt er opeens een random saxofoon doorheen gooit! Hallo Paul, je weet dat je dan mijn aandacht hebt he?? Ook mooi dat het maar 1 seconde is, daarna word ie meteen weggehaald, alsof de band er zelf ook een beetje van schrok ofzo. Verder is dit een beetje een gek album? Het is iets meer funky en jazzy soms zelfs dan bijvoorbeeld de albums van The Beatles die ik tot nu toe heb gehoord. Experimenteler ook? Ik trek het in elk geval best wel goed, vond het echt wel een lekker album. Ook duurde het niet zo lang, in tegenstelling tot deze review! Mand. 4 sterren. FAVO: Band on the run, Mrs vandebilt, Nineteen Hunderd eighty five

Great

McCartney writing hits. Some fun songs but a lot of granny music

McCartney is a hitmaker. A pop icon if you will. Not a dud on the album. Is it groundbreaking? No. Is it the Beatles? Of course not. It's still a great listen.

Listened to this while playing Through Ice and Snow. I lost. Ok...so don't judge...but i had no idea Wings was Paul McCartney. I didn't grow up listening to music like this. I enjoyed this soooo much more than I was expecting. I have always enjoyed the songwriting of the Beatles, but it was interesting to hear exactly what McCartney's influence was to the sound. I was familiar with the opening song, but the rest was all new to me. Would absolutely revisit this in the future!

It’s Paul McCartney, feels familiar, love wings. What’s not to love

I always thought post Beatles Paul was kind of cheesy. After listening to this album in its entirety I stand by that assessment. Soooo cheesy. The lyrics are just stupid to me. And Bluebird, good grief. Awful. Won’t be listening again.

4.5, rounding up.

The only fiver I have for Paul... This was his solo masterpiece 10 ★★★★★

Great album. Paul at his best. 5 stars

I've always been pretty lukewarm on Paul's solo stuff. I think the title track and "Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five" are great, but the rest is kind of just okay. 4 stars.

4.5

A bit like Red Bull, Paul McCartney gives you wings… for the first few songs at least. Title track and Jet are some serious peak poppy anthemage but the tunes do get a bit softer and floppier as the album goes on. Second side is quite underpowered comparatively and Paul knows it because he brings back the two main good songs Band On The Run and Jet in reprisey medley form to fill up the back half. Nineteen Hundred And Eighty-Five a strong butchy Hey Bulldoggy closer to bring the album back up to 4.

I liked it more than I thought I would. Short and sweet. Neat.

Classic!

Great album! You can easily notice how McCartney is at a different level of musicianship then everyone else.

It was okay, but I won't want to listen again.

Good album. Reminded me of Queen at times. Solid overall

Couple of hits but overall doesn't stand out. Little slow, mundane, boring. Good post-beatles album for McCartney.

This reaffirms my conviction that RAM is the only worthwhile McCartney album from the 70s. The only other McCartney album besides RAM I even bother with is III.

A seed is waiting in the earth For rain to come and give him birth It's all he really needs to set him free

Excellent

Album starts off strong but by the end of it, I found myself not very interested. Its a decent album, but not by favorite by Wings.

Goood

Paul McCartney is too light-hearted and cheeky for the '70s. His style played very well in the '60s, but the next decade called for more grit and more style. These songs are well crafted, but they're innocent to the point of boredom.

Not for me.

3,5

Paul

Fínasta plata, Paul er auðvitað snillingur. Smá uppfylling í lokin. 3,5.

Glorious

This is going to date this review, but the only way anybody would get me to play that damn horse game is if someone made an Umamusume AMV set to Jet

Really enjoyed this one, there's no filler

Its well put together and I enjoyed it although not sure it left a huge impression well not as much as I would have liked being McCartney. Having said that the band tight and his voice is good got lots of hooks, thrills and spills its no Beatles obviously but its solid enough

I know that Paul McCartney is one of the great artists of all time, but frankly I found this album to be pretty bland. The two popular singles, Band on the Run and Jet, are alright. I liked Mrs Vanderbilt and Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five the best. The rest of this is very average. An ok album, but certainly nothing special and not anything I would come back to.

Wow what a strong start, had never heard Jet before!! Saved every song, had heard of the eponymous track obviously. Wow

Band On The Run was by no means a completely foreign project for me to listen to. Car rides to and from anywhere as a child would so very often be greeted with the soothing sounds of WSFM, a radio station specialising in music from the 60s to the 90s, and Band On The Run was there. It’s always been there. In saying that, despite the title track being a key part of my ventures as a child, the rest of the album remained a mystery to me, which was quite the shock considering how big of a Paul McCartney fan my parents have turned out to be. The album was fantastic, and knowing about life post-Beatles for McCartney, the way it all came together was exactly what the doctor ordered. Band On The Run, Jet and Picasso’s Last Words all a standout. Drink to me! Four stars.

Good musicianship here. I imagine this was huge for Beatles fans at the time.

I like Ram better, but only by a hair.

Best wel nice

This album goes to show that even the (arguably) best Beatle really needed to have the other Beatles around him to make music at the same level. That's not to say this is bad, it's not, but it is certainly not the Beatles. And I guess that was the point to a certain degree. There are Beatle-esque moments on this album, but overall it kind of fell flat for me. I'm not saying that I want everything Paul McCartney does to sound like the Beatles, but what he came out with here is just not even close to the same level. 2.5/5 but I'm going to round down. I feel like George Harrison's solo attempts were much stronger, especially All Things Must Pass. This is absolutely not that.

Often hear songs on the radio from this album, which I either didn't pay attention to or would change stations. Made a sound effort to listen to it this time. The songs are familiar but just couldn't get into it - just too limp for me

The only good solo album from Paul McCartney. It’s got some great tunes for sure.

Phenomenal first half. Comes and goes in the second.

Great album. One of Paul's best. Band on the run is obviously a classic. My other favourite is Let me Roll it. Will definitely be relisting to this

Paul’s most marijuana soaked contact high of a masterpiece is nearly 50 years old but it remains a marvel of studio wizardry. It’s both pitch perfect and loose. At points, it feel improvisational and yet the whole band seems to be of a single mind. That’s because they are, Paul plays almost everything on the album, with a few guest spots from Denny Laine, Ginger Baler, and Linda peppered in. Still stands as Paul’s greatest post-Beatles achievement and the album to flip any Paul dissenter. A true must have.

10/10

There are some gtreat songs here. But the lYrr tracks are just filler and seem to be played that way

Ja hoor! Luistert lekker weg, classic 'oooehwaa ooh' -tjes, would listen again!

It feels like an alternate Beatles album, captures that creative energy with different choruses and switchups within song. It has hits and then the non-hits are just as fun. Between a 4 & 5 here, I am going with 4 now but could change on a revisit

What can you say? A classic Still play it a lot after all these years. Can’t say that about many Albums.

I enjoyed Markiplier's Let's Play of the Beatles, though MatPat still hasn't put out his game theory video yet. I feel like this spin-off may be a little over my head Trying to find a good resource about the Beatles, their history and their creative process is such an annoying task. I've looked before and every time I've been pointed to the Get Back/Let It Be documentaries, the Anthology book or random ass autobiographies about the guy who brushed up against Lennon in May of 1968, all of which don't help me to actually understand the band. However, if I have anything to gleam from the time that I've been a fan of The Beatles, it's that McCartney was my favourite of the bunch because he just is, okay? All of this to say that I feel incredibly under-equipped going into this album despite having a better-than-average knowledge on the subject matter. Wait! I can check the book. Thank you, Robert Demmerlist, owner of the Demsdale Demmerlist. The album came from adversity when McCartney got busted for toking gas station weed ((real) or maybe not? The only search results for a McCartney drug bust are from 1980). The cover art doesn't feature the actual band members on the run. I want all of my $0 back. A mostly-solo work from McCartney. Doesn't seem like there's a lot going for this album, though in all fairness it's a McCartney album. We had to get at least one on the list I enjoyed this album for what it is, though something definitely feels like it's missing here - a certain something that I don't have the time or knowledge to discuss. The instrumentals err on the side of feeling like they're a little directionless and "off", though this could just be the post-Beatles high speaking. McCartney's vocals are competent, though these are far from his best performances. There are some good cuts on this album. "Bluebird" was my favourite song - it's just a nice little tune. Other songs I liked include Mrs. Vandebilt and Picasso's Last Words. There's an impressive level of variety to this album, which I also respect. I like how many of the instrumentals undergo drastic changes. The blending of different genres across each song is also appeciated, particularly on Mamunia and 1985.

Definitely my favourite so far. Similarly to the previous album (REM) I listened to it while studying so I didn’t pay as much attention as I would normally, therefore my first listening opinions probably aren’t fully accurate. I really like the vibe of the whole album and although my score might not seem to reflect it, I think that again, over time my score will increase. Definitely something I see myself revisiting. So for now, 74/100

This album is certainly a vibe, and I like lots of parts about it. At the same time, it's overall just a little too goofy for me, and loses some steam on Side B. It's about a 3.5, but earns a 3 here.

Fantastic dad rock

Paul McCartney carries the Beatles. Band on the run and Jet are two of the best Beatles songs. The albums starts crazy strong with these two. The rest of the songs are good but don’t keep up with the first two songs (1900 85 was a great end though) .Overall great album 8/10

This album proves I haven’t given Paul’s “solo” career enough credit. Admittedly Im partial to George and John’s post-Beatles music but I thoroughly enjoyed Band on the Run. Sometimes the songwriting can be silly but other than that no complaints really

Really great album. Embarrassingly, before this album came up, I have to admit that I thought some of these were Beatles songs.

This is just good clean fun. Calm vibes, a good album to walk, bike, or just sit in a park too. Paul McCartney solo album slaps. Also, pretty cool this was recorded in Nigeria.

At its best catchy, at its worst repetitive

Couple of solid songs to start, then just rambles for the rest of the album.

One of the sounds of my childhood, absolute must listen for everyone.

Meh. First two tunes are really good, were in heavy rotation when they were released. The rest of it is fine but it just doesn't measure up to Beatles.

Meh

Amazing. One of Paul’s best. Own it!

The album has its highs and lows, but Paul McCartney always sounds great. It’s definitely not the Beatles, but still has its moments.

It's ok. It's pop, and a member of the Beatles. Not that I have any love for the Beatles. I'm not impressed. I've heard Band on the Run and Jet before, and I think maybe I listened to this whole album before, which tells you how much it stuck with me. I think the version on Spotify is about six songs longer than it needs to be. My rating: 3/5

First two songs are amazing. The rest are ok. Wings is one of those bands that had a good single or two per album and the rest was ok. Of course, ok for Paul McCartney is still good.

It feels like McCartney and Wings have to be graded on a curve because as immaculate as his melodies are, Paul writes the goofiest lyrics on planet earth. He’s a total doofus, and yet his work is immaculate. Band on the Run suffers from a lackadaisical middle third for sure, but between the title track, Jet, Helen Wheels, and the unbeatable stank of Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five, the record is undeniable. It’s just real hard to take this dude seriously at all.

pretty unfair tracklist. first two songs back to back & you forget let me roll it is even there by the time it comes on. paul was just doing whatever but doing it really well

This is a great album, but I can't give it a five. I've always had trouble with Sir Paul's cheesy side, and Bluebird just totally kills the potential for perfection here. Probably a couple of other tracks too, if I'm being honest. But as I said, a great album full of unique hits and the title track is one of the best examples of Macca's true genius as a songwriter. 4.8

Mostly bops that are hard to turn off when started.

There are some absolute belters on this album, the title track, Jet and Let me Roll It. All classics! The songs that form the later half of the album don’t do it for me as much as the first half but don’t get me wrong this is a very good post Beatles record. Highly recommended!

Good music, just not my type of sound or preferred lyrical style

I know a couple of these tracks, but generally this wasn’t particularly gripping to listen to. Which is a shame because jet and banned on the run are both half decent. The rest of the album just didn’t inspire me.

Turns out i prefer Paul McCartney to the Beatles. This is ok, but he still throws in novelty songs.

Yup, this definitely sounds like the sort of songs that the Beatles weren't letting Paul record. Not a fan.

post beatle pauls magnum opus. so det er et milestone i hans solokarriere. Godt eksempel på early 70 rock-pop done right. blev produceret og indspillet under svære forhold hvor der var 2 band medlemmer som kvittede tidligt

3 or 4

Boy oh boy, do I not like post-Beatles Beatles. A few highlights here and there, with the rest being a bit of a chore.

Perfect album. Felt like finding a bunch of classic songs from a parallel universe.

Who is Paul McCartney? He stretches across so many genres without ever straying away from feeling accessible. At points it risks being corny, but sometimes the combinations hit just right

Parit passelit kappaleet, loppupuolisko ei enää saanut yhtä paljon innostumaan.

pretty good thanks mccartney

There's a few places where the arrangements are interesting enough to warrant 3 stars, and the first two tracks are great. But there's a huge chasm in the middle where it's just twaddle.

It's fine, quite annoying in places. Let me Roll It is good. Jet is better done by Alan Partridge. Always found it odd how the title track is different ideas just grafted together.

As if it wasn't enough for Paul to have a monopoly on songs about Blackbirds... turns out he went in for Bluebirds too?!?

***An ok album

Phenomenal clinic in songwriting. Pleantiful melodies and musical interpretation. Lush with complicated instrumentation and a lot to love. Wings is seriously good music and in no way shape or form a direct competitor to The Beatles discography. Study of both in independent disciplines are neccessary.

‘Nice’, I suppose, but not in anyway interesting.

Amazing album not a bad song could listen to this album every day

Puro mccartney. Algún estribillo vergonzoso , pero genial en conjunto.

Fun! I liked the later stuff a lot, but the earlier stuff felt old.

Listened before?: Yes! Wings is great! A milquetoast masterpiece of an album.

You can tell that pretty much the whole album has a Beatles vibe, I don't know if it's on purpose or just because Paul brings that vibe, but he was surely trying to feed off of the already existing success. Overall, not too bad, it was nice having it in the background. I actually enjoyed the last song - Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five.

Paul McCartney is someone I didn't think I'd end up listening to in 2025, which is to say that this album sounds a little outdated. But it does still hold up and offers a look into pop music in the 1970s. Not my favorite personally but objectively good.

Love it, Paul 🥰

Solid album overall- Band on the Run and Jet are both big hits. I liked the repeated themes throughout the album. Some of the B sides are a little silly. Overall- good album. 3.5/5

A very good album from start to finish. 5 stars or A.

I enjoyed it. It was a bit like hearing a lost Beatles album, except the ending, which seemed to call upon other songs from the album, I thought was basically filler. Still, overall songs wee good and the album was generally pretty well laid out.

3.5

A pleasant, but ultimately boring extension of The Beatles. No one can deny Paul McCartney's talent and ability to compose great songs, but it doesn't appeal to me. Rather average album, all things considered.

I was a bit underwhelmed by this album. It was alright, but outside of the title song there weren't any songs that really grabbed me. 3*

Just a perfect pop record.

Classic rock album that had hints of alt. Interesting sound overall. McCartney singing nice too

It’s….ok

Paul McCartney annoys me.

This album is so effortlessly good it’s unfair. It’s the sound of running toward yourself.

I quite liked this album. If I could give 3.5/5 I would. First few songs were good, lackluster middle songs, and decent closing of the album made it a solid listen to. Probably Will give it 4/5

Expected more out of Paul, Band of the Run is a great song but otherwise underwhelming

Low 4 stars, Good songs, but not great

Queen Elizabeth really knighted this guy?

Ass

Ok

Ga meg ikkje så masse

the more I try to like beatles and beatles adjacent music the more unbearable it gets for me I guess.

pretty hype.

It's not that Paul McCartney couldn't write a good tune - he proved that he was one of the best songwrigthers of all time during his Beatles years. It's just that in the years afterwards, he adopted what I tend to call That 70s Sound - pleasant enough, easy-listening tunes with rather intricate harmonies and instrumentation, a sound that is completely different from anything that he did before. Listening to Band on the Run, I'm starting to wonder if he really adopted the style, or if he rather was influential for the development of that sound to begin with. Anyhow, it's a sound you have to like, and I only can bear it in small doses. None of the songs are bad per se, but the album doesn't fully catch my interest either. 3/5

Not quite 5/5. Not every song is a classic. But still great.

3.5/5

it doesn't ring

Mrs. Vandebilt was a nice surprise. Love the vibe

George Harrison wrote my favorite Beatles songs, but Sir Paul is my favorite Beatle because after the band broke up, he just kept carrying on.

Hit after hit after hit. Paul McCartney didn't need the Beatles to write good songs and this clearly shows it. A lot of McCartney's best songs are on here. 1985, Band on the Run, Mrs. Vandebilt and Let Me Roll It are all classic 70's rock hits. The only is only let down by the Mamunia, No Words and Picasso's Last Words IMO. Very close to a perfect album if not for those relatively lackluster tracks.

only liked a couple songs entirely, mostly not my tea

Enjoyable! I liked this better than McCartney’s stuff with his previous band. Highlights are “Let Me Roll With It”, “Bluebird”, the saxophone on “Mrs. Vanderbilt”, and “1985” has a great groove and I think is the best song on this record. Strong four star record.

much better than the bugs

Wow. What a great album. I’m typically turned off of Beatles and adjacent music. But this was probably one of the best things I have heard in awhile.

Yeah sorry Paul no disrespect but get this out of my face

A prime example of why Paul wasn’t the same without John. Wildly catchy and well-crafted songs share space with utter piddle.

Had the Beatles continued into the 70s maybe as a band they would have churned out cheesy songs, but they didn’t continue, and so all we have are the various solo projects which are almost all bad. The soft rock quality of Paul’s solo stuff is particularly annoying to me.

When you compare John Lennon and Paul McCartneys post Beatles works, I think it’s pretty safe to say you know exactly who was the superior songwriter of the two of them. Not just songwriting, but vocally Paul McCartney is really a step above his former bandmate. I had so much fun listening to this record, it’s the closest thing we’ll ever get to another Beatles record, but in some ways it feels more than that. Not to say that it approaches the sheer magic of albums like Rubber Soul, but this truly is a great album. 4*

What do you do after you leave the most successful band the world has ever seen? In Paul McCartney’s case, you go to Nigeria and keep making banger after banger. This album is full of songs that are poppy and fun to listen to, yet each containing a little something unexpected to keep it interesting. And it is a very interesting and thoroughly enjoyable album. Better on the whole than probably all but maybe one or two Beatles albums in my opinion. Who needs those schmucks! Highlights for me are the title track, “Jet”, “Mamunia”, and “1985” (not spelling it out sorry).

Good

I really enjoyed this album. I think it’s becoming more and more clear to me that McCartney might be my personal favorite Beatle cause he has the most variety in his career. He’s got great solo albums AND he has other projects like this one that’s genuinely an all time rockband even if The Beatles didn’t exist. But that being said this album is like a rollercoaster of opinions to me. For example I think album starts off REALLY strong. The first 5 songs were all really great until the 6th song “mamunia”. I HATED this song, and the other songs felt lost in the shadow of that monstrosity. But I can say the album had one more bright spot before it ended, “Helen Wheels” is a great song and probably should’ve been the last song of the album cause I don’t care for “Country Dreamer” either. Honestly the stuff on this album that doesn’t work ends up being nearly horrible, while the stuff that does work could easily be in a “best of classic rock” playlist without controversy. Definitely worth your time.

Alright rock. Easy listening? Variety of instruments used. Didn't move me to love or hate it

some bangers, some didn't vibe with as much. mostly great tho. mamunia probably weakest.

Sounded like tracks rejected from beatles...

Je comprends pourquoi Jean ne parle que des beatles

Fantastic!

A nice spring day album.

While all of the former Beatles have strong solo albums in their solo catalog, I don't believe Band On The Run is one of them. The title track is one of my favorite song that Paul McCartney ever cut, but nothing else here rises to that level, in my opinion. Overall this album is fine, but it doesn't compare to the classic Beatles albums, or even an album like Ram

Kind of weird and hard to place. Not even "Beatles Light", but I am not sure if that is good or bad.

This is pretty much top to bottom great. Band On The Run, Jet, Mrs. Vandebilt, Let Me Roll It, Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five. Just an absolute smoker from Paul.

AMAZING. LAST SONG WAS THE BEST. AMAZING, FUCKING PAUL MCCARTNEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sem palavras! Foi o primeiro album pós-Beatles que ouvi (Curiosamente, o que me fez ouvi-lo foi o remix da faixa titular no "Everyday Chemistry"... Alguem lembra dessa pira?!). Me pegou muito naquele tempo, e me pega muito até hoje. Quando rankeei a discografia inteira do Beatles e das carreiras solo dos quatro integrantes, Band On The Run foi o unico disco que ficou acima de alguns albuns do Beatles (With The Beatles, Let It Be, Help!, A Hard Day's Night, Beatles for Sale, Please Please Me e Yellow Submarine). O Paul McCartney realmente INVOCOU o espirito Beatleniano em todas as faixas, e na composição desse disco. Toda vez que ouço esse album, eu imagino um mundo onde os Beatles nunca se separaram, e eles lançaram esse disco juntos em 1973. É facil imaginar a capa dele só que com o Ringo, John e George (e provavelmente a Yoko também, sejamos honestos). É facil imaginar a harmonia maravilhosa que eles fariam em Bluebird, os solos mirabolantes que o George faria em Jet, os Riffs abrasivos que o John tocaria em Let Me Roll It, as letras causticas do John em Mrs. Vanderbilt, a percussão e o refrão "bebado" do Ringo em Picasso's Last Words, a espiritualidade e alma do George em Mamunia... Enfim, esse disco inteiro, de cabo a rabo, é extremamente Beatles, e não foi a toa. Paul era induvidavelmente o coração e alma da banda, e depois da resposta mediana aos dois primeiros discos do Wings, ele decidiu despejar toda essa alma nesse disco, e o resultado é simplesmente BRILHANTE, IMPECÁVEL, PERFEITO ! E hoje, ao re-ouvir esse album em LP, lembrei dos momentos que vivenciei no show do Paul ano passado em São Paulo. As memórias ouvindo Band on the Run e Jet ao vivo ficarão pra sempre comigo. Agora, uma teoria da conspiração: Esse site sempre te dá os melhores albuns nas segundas-feiras, não é? Segunda passada foi o Innervisions do Stevie Wonder e agora esse?! Não tão nem escondendo. 5/5 10/10 Etc.

Mamunia and Let Me Roll It aren't great, but the rest of the album is pretty close to perfect, with unusual song arrangements and Paul's usual stellar vocal melodies. 4.5/5.0: Excellent

first listen. nineteen hundred and eighty five is maybe the best beatles song

nice paul songs. lots of cool claves and shakers silly sing along ho hey ho things. best part "my heart is like a wheel.." lyric

I enjoyed every song on this album. Jet might be my favorite Paul McCartney song. I would definitely listen to this again.

My first is one of my favorite albums!

Listened riding to peter's and back, really fun varied tunes.

This is a great post-Beatles album. I was hoping to be able to criticise this album, because I'm not a fan of Paul McCartney. I find his personality grating and his false sincerity nauseating. I also observed a control freak and a bully in the Peter Jackson documentary The Beatles - Get Back. Unfortunately, it's an awesome album!

I enjoyed this one. Most of these stars are for Band on the run - such a great track, the rest wasn't quite as good but that's because comparatively the track Band on the run has high nostalgia vibes! If I was ever going to listen to a post Beatles solo album this would be it.

Skit bra!!

Meh

This might be unpopular, given than All things might pass normally gets the title of "best post-Beatles Beatle record", but I find this one to be the absolute best when it comes to that list.

The final song was what sealed the deal for me on this one. Pure chills!

Brilliant album, one of the best post-Beatles albums out there.

Starts off very strong

I didnt know he played all instruments. To be honest, I didnt know this album existed at all.

5.5/10

First great album after Beatles!

meh

Cerramos primera semana de abril con el tipazo de Paul McCartney. Ya el comienzo me conecta con el indie argentino (Puntualmente, Mi Amigo Invencible): increíble lo adelantados de los Beatles y de Paul. De ellos ubico pocas canciones, siendo la que más conozco "Let Me Roll It" por estar en el soundtrack de "Licorice Pizza": hermosísima canción, ideal para bailar con la vieja dama. ¿Me adelanto a decir que es un discazo? Si. Hasta el lunes.

Wings! I hated this band for so long without even knowing anything by them except the title track off this album. When we were about to see McCartney live a couple of years ago and I looked to see what setlists he was playing, I finally decided to listen to some Wings and was kind of amazed at how good they were. Which is of course ridiculous, but I was young and dumb and too under the "John was better than Paul" spell. This album is a classic and has some amazing songs on it. "Let Me Roll It" was one of the highlights of the show for me. Glad I finally grew up a little bit. P.S. - This album also has a really interesting backstory if you haven't read about it.

A classic.

This was an awesome album. Band On The Run brings back memories of Guitar Hero. I had heard Jet, Let Me Roll It and Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five before, but didn't realize they were from this album. The other tracks were good as well, but the ones I already knew elevated the album for me.

I think this Paul McCartney fellow has a real future in music.

The first solo Beatle album I listened to way back in my high school Beatles phase. I specifcally remember hearing Band on the Run on the radio and saying "Gee that sounds just like Paul McCartney" and my mom going "...That's because it is". Went out to buy a copy on vinyl and the rest is history. Was blown away then, and still am to this day. Perfect intro/outro combo. Picasso's Last Words is my sleeper pick for best on the album. I'm a sucker for a good medley (as is McCartney). Probably his best work post-Beatles

I have listened before but not attentively and I tried after the first listen to "forget he was in the Beatles" because this is a long way from that kind of music. By a couple of listens I started to give it proper credit as a good pop album. There's some really interesting stuff and ends on a great song.

The best Wings album at least in terms of studio albums.

Staple diet in the 70s. Aged a bit but still good

Really not something I would pick up and listen to but it was surprisingly all bangers

Arguably the best solo McCartney record. Seeing the cover makes me hear the first little guitar lick play in my head, then the ear worm wakes up, and now I have to listen to the whole fucking thing. This record is unstoppable.

Paul is the one that really flourished after the band split. His albums seemed the most cohesive.

Band on the Run is like three songs rolled into one. It's too bad the "If I Ever Get Out of Here" part wasn't more developed because I always loved that part of the song. British people love ska music, you can hear it's influence everywhere. Band on the Run is much better than the other "hit", Jet. I do like Paul McCartney's voice, that still sounds good. Mrs. Vanderbilt is the best song so far. Paul's right, what's the use of worrying. Let Me Roll It is good too. The title track is overrated and everything else is better than I anticipated based on only knowing that song from this album. Picasso's Last Words (Drink to Me), and the reprice of Jet buried in it, is another song with two really disparate parts, the difference is I like both of these parts better. Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five is a good song to end the album on.

第一次认真听Bowie的专，还不错，和之前熟悉的Starman之类的区别比较明显。其中有几首不错，不过可能更喜欢Prog一点的。

Day 3 and already an undeniable 5 star album. Listening to the gradual evolution of Paul McCartney is such a treat. Every single song on this album rocks. The instrumentation, catchy sounds, smooth bass lines, singing, and overall vibe is just incredible. The album frequently changes back and forth from an absolute jam session, to a killer bit of brass instrumentation, to something very reminiscent of The Beatles, and it all blends incredibly well together. One of my personal favorite tropes for an album is when they end with a riff from the first song, so bonus points for that as well.

4.5 stars. Nothing crazy, just easy listening soft rock. Eagles-esque. Hits are great (title track, “Jet”) but so is “Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five”.

Love

SOLID

Good but not my favorite classic rock.

Kinda unfortch that the biggest hits are all uptop, liked the poppy sounding tracks like Jet, fun little blends at the end, overall pretty good but it’s not gonna like a staple of mine or anything

I saw Wings live once in Sydney, not sure why. I was never a Beatles fan though obviously I recognise their influence. But Paul always seemed the most lightweight of the Fab Four, the most ‘pop’. This album bears that out: catchy tunes, Paul’s signature voice, cute lyrics. Curious that the previous album i rated from this list was a Stones’ one. They couldn’t be more different. But would Wings have made it without having a Beatle at the helm? Probably not. The album isnt show-stopping, just solid middle-of-the-road pop with some extra zing.

Kinda just sounds like more average Beatles

first half is good second half kinda boring and suonds like beatles but worst

Few of the songs are five star. Whole album gets four

It was alright

Bit formulaic when it comes to chorus, pre-chorus, bridge. Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five was my favorite track, awesome ending...until they took it back to the opening track. I always thought the lyric was Man on the Run, need to sit down a bit after realizing that I've been wrong all this time.

Not something I'd check out in my own time, though definitely not something I'm suprised to find on here. I've never really sat down and listened to any post Beatles Paul McCartney project so this is at least something new. Was interesting to read about the recording process of this album, seems like the remaining three band members were left with a lot to do. Band On The Run Interesting structure. Classic keyboard line. Love how much the song evolves and changes throughout. The chorus will definitely be stuck in my head tomorrow. Solid track, liked it more this time around than previous times hearing it. Good. 4/5 Jet Nice density, the saxophone at the start adds some texture to the sound. Sounds a bit compressed, doesn't have the best audio quality either. I think the song is pretty well structured around the chorus. The guitar work is pretty great at times. I feel the backing vocals are a bit much at times. Decent high energy track. Has a bit of spectacle to it. 3.5/5 Bluebird Not crazy about the backing instrumental. It's a pleasant enough song with an interesting composition. Has a really cheesy sax solo. Fine. 3/5 Mrs. Vandebilt Fairly annoying first verse. Really don't like how the sax is used. The "ho hey ho"s get stale, same with the chorus in general. Has a few parts that I like, but honestly felt pretty obnoxious and hard to get through. Did not like. 2/5 Let Me Roll It A competent blues track with some decent progression. The echo effect isn't too great. Heartfelt lyrics, though the wheel comparisson is kinda cheesy. Really slow and repetitive. Sluggish to get through. Average. 2.5/5 Mamunia Some pretty guitar playing, and a decent bassline. Preachy lyrics. Edgeless and lame. Band teacher music. The chorus has a nice vibe with the percussion and the overlaying guitars. Sounds great when the electric guitar comes in. Could do without the verses, still fine. 3/5 No Words Has some nice harmonies and a fairly dense and powerful instrumental. Honestly quite impressive. Good. 4/5 Picasso's Last Words (Drink To Me) I think the story of how he wrote this track is really funny and adds another element to the track. Really like the evolution the song goes through and the interpolations of the other songs on the album. Instrumentally the track has a lot going for it, especially the bass and strings. Also think the sample is pretty interesting. The song's strange structure makes it a challenging listen and while it walks a thin line I do think it succeeds at being interesting structurally without sounding messy. Good. 4/5 Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five I like the atmosphere set by the instrumental. Has a great groove, and the vocal performance feels loose which adds a lot of character to the track. The quiet sections are really nice additions as well. The track has some grit to it which really helps set it apart from some of the others on here. Fantastic ending, feels really large, caps off the album well. Great. 4.5/5. Honestly feared this would be boring, but can't really say it was. Has a decent amount of depth and the songs feel distinct. Some song have some really distinct composition which I feel helps add a lot of variety. The tracklist is fairly solid with no real inculsions I thought could've been cut, though I definitely felt the second half was stronger than the first. Wasn't expecting it to be so instrumentally varied either. Lyrically I didn't find anything that stuck out to me personally, rather some I felt were a bit cheesy and some that felt very of the time. Would also like to point out that the audio quality isn't always the best. Not wowed by this by any means, but was definitely a good listen and a worthy inclusion. Will probably return to it at some point. 3.5/5 leaning towards a 3/5 Fave track. Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five Least fave track. Mrs. Vandebilt

4.5/5

Non actual

This was pretty good, I liked the small reprise of jet at the end

bit long maybe, but great

Good, lighthearted album

It's alright Standouts Mrs Vanderbilt Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five 3/5

A true classic, one of the albums of all time

It was more enjoyable than I anticipated.

Grows on me more every year. Pop magic.

the Grooviest

dude 1st naruto opening has the same WhoooOOOOoooOOoooOOOoo as 'Jet', i love catching these things lol great album!

An enjoyable album with a few good tracks, nothing to rave about but again, not much to complain about either. Down the middle 5/10.

What a great album. Band on the Run and Jet are great songs. I'm a sucker for songs changing into other songs. Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five is also a great way to end an album. Would be a 5 if the rest of the album was as good as those songs. I got this sucker on vinyl! (24 known/45 new)

I didn't hate this album, but I guess I expected more. McCartney doesn't soar to the same heights as the Beatles here, but a couple songs are good. This album is structured like a sandwich with some really tasty bread on the top and bottom, but bland and unspiced fillings- not bad, satisfying, but it doesn't attract me back to the restaurant. Favorite songs: the title track and "Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five"

After first two songs it was fine. Will not be adding to my library

Very nice. Starts out great and slows down though. A lot of harmonies. An extra star because its not 80s new wave goth.

Paul coming for his own nachos all over this album. Certainly the superior Beatle solo work, though.

..

By 1973, three-fourths of The Beatles had acquired critical, commercial and cultural acclaim. John raged and soothed, George spoke and soared and Ringo simply surprised. Paul? He just beguiled and bewildered many who were acutely aware of his talents. The expectations set upon him as he had dismantled the seemingly untroubled fortress of the Fab Four were not being met, or had not actually existed at all and listeners were dismissive as a result. His back was against the wall. Even if he had come upon a set of Wings, the winds were not blowing in his direction. A trip to Nigeria, meeting Fela Kuti's suspicious eye (and gaining his understanding in the process) and run-ins with macheted robbers who stole master tapes were apparently all that was needed to clear the cobwebs. Band on the Run was the belated masterpiece was the public had been waiting for; nine tracks of polished yet beefed up rock and roll with enough concessions to pop, balladry and funked up good vibes that could enliven any atmosphere it's placed in. Its enduring stature that persists to this day is in large part due to how seemingly assured and confident it seems, despite the turmoil of the prior years; it's the sound of a band finally in sync with the rest of the world around them.

bad

Very good but I like him more on the Beatles

4/5

Yes I like, it starts off pretty hard

Classic Paul. Not his best but contains classics

Not too bad, Paul’s name does a lot of heavy lifting imo but band on the run is a pretty good tune to get stuck in your head, test of the album was okay

A little too sleepy

I don't understand sings that change into completely different songs partway through.

I'm a bluebird, I'm a bluebird, I'm a bluebird... What a fantastic album, ahhh!

Incredible album front to back. It’s a shame Sir Paul can’t be anonymous in this project: He is immediately judged by assholes who think they are edgy for downplaying his talent. Disliking a band or album because of musical taste is great, we are all different, but making disparaging comments because someone was in the most successful band of all time shows insecurity and immaturity.

Enjoyed a lot of this but I also wouldn't play it again myself?

A good pop rock album with four really really great songs. 3.5

This is a great album.

I don’t know, man this is a weird album.

It's so interesting how each of the individual Beatles have such a distinct sound that come together (haha) and mesh with each other to make something truly mind-blowing. This album, sounds so specifically Paul. It's a little poppy and straight-laced, but it does completely showcase his undeniable talent as a songwriter. Even though this album lacks the magic that the Beatles have together, that is no reason not to recognize Band On The Run's merit. Stop being a hater and sing along to Jet in your kitchen.

He's a great pop songwriter but this didn't do a ton for me. Easy listen!

As a song writer, McCartney is probably my favorite of the Beatles. I like a good bit of his solo work, but if you’re remotely familiar with the roles each member played in the Beatles, listening to McCartneys work post-Beatles can sometimes feel like something’s missing. That said this album isn’t without its moments and well worth a listen. It sits somewhere between full pop McCartney and his more out there work, a good happy medium.

A great solo record, you can hear The Beatles still linger a bit

really nice, always trust paul mccartney with cool melodies

this actually rocked so much, and i’m saying that as someone who does not really care for the beatles but i think this really has the sauce. i will absolutely listen to it again

If you're going to be a former Beatle trying to make it in a post-Beatle world, it's a hell of an effort. Really great album.

Excellent. A couple of meh moments but overall very good.

nice happy listening

Just can't come close to competing with "All Things Must Pass."

nope

Not as great as the Beatles but still a good, fun, talented band.

8/10. Classic album.

Couple good hits but clearly not even close to the beatles

I wasn't expecting to like this one, but it was a surprise standout! Of course I'm a sucker for a larger instrument mix and they did a lot with it! Seamless integration of some nice brass and wind instruments with more traditional guitar and kit. The vocals were also surprisingly good. Some nice little harmony bits with other members and solid lead vocals. Just a lot of really talented writing in this album. Would listen again. Lots of great instrumental inclusion, from the deep bass lines grounding Jet, the little sax interludes in Bluebird, the sax weaving in with the snappy bass lines of Mrs. Vanderbilt, the meandering wind interlude in Picasso's Last Words introducing the key change and the strings leading us into the end, the jaunty piano carrying us through 1985.

I had so many interesting thoughts while listening to this record, but they were all about the Beatles and it seems unfair to consider the album in that light. I'm not sure how I could consider it ahistorically - the production is completely of its time, even if the artist had no past or present. Without that history, would I focus on the corny choices - lyrically, in production, in sequencing? The melodicism? The bricolage structure of the title track? The tasty, rather than tasteful bass tone? The incredible singing voice, especially in Nineteen Hundred and Eight-Five? But can one enjoy this nice guy character taking the lead across a whole album? For all his faults and strengths, no McCartney album can escape Beatle thoughts. However, with Band on the Run, it isn't so much "But this guy was in the Beatles" as "Well, this guy was in the Beatles." 3.5 Well I like this music but only because it sounds good. It achieves catchiness without merciless repetition. The songs are structurally imaginative without losing their identity as pop music. The arrangements are neat and the singing is good. Still there is an emptiness at the heart of Band on the Run. Could be the lyrics that aren’t about much in particular or the (polite) diversity of style and arrangement, but something leaves me wondering what holds the album together. Paul McCartney was obviously looking for some guiding principle but in the end the album had nothing to do with the cover/title song or with travelling all the way to Nigeria (to record ‘Let Me Roll It’?! Why?) - it was just time to make another album. John Lennon wants to tell his listeners what keeps him up at night. George Harrison wants to tell you the Good News. Paul McCartney wants you to like him and buy his record. And I do and I did, so I’m not really complaining. 3/5

This guy knows how to write some catchy music.

It was good. I’d heard it before.

youve charmed me, mcCartney

6/10

Wings is the best thing the Beatles ever did

Thank God the Beatles broke up so we can experience this amazing album. You'll want to spin it again as soon as it finishes.

Not my favorite. Even being a Beatle

So many great songs

Very quirky McCartney. Its okay but not memorable

Commandeering this review to ask how is Ram not on this list? In my opinion his best solo work, and even if you don't agree at least his most influential.

I can't believe that I didn't know this album. Very pleasant. My highlights are 'Mrs. Vandebilt' and 'Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five".

Really liked this one. Great tracks, all of which felt very cohesive sonically and sometimes lyrically. Overall a pretty fun gentle rock album that feels like a Beatles record.

Post-Beatles albums by the members of The Beatles are so interesting. Paul McCartney always reminded me a bit of Paul Simon in how his solo work showcased that he was probably the member who had the best chance at commercial success and understood making creative music that was accessible more than their counterparts. Band On the Run is a great song and the cover for the album is weirdly solid. Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five has a weirdly captivating sound.

I don't think Paul is the best lyricist, but like a high jumper that just makes it over the bar every time. Sometimes that's kind of satisfying. He can craft a pop song. Band on the run has a fun bounce to it. Jet has that cool bass drone, that makes me want a heavier song. Something about Bluebird sounds ahead of it's time, but a little too busy. Mrs.Vandebilt, tho a fun rhythm, it is lacking, could have been chopped. Let Me Roll It, again I dig it musically, but I find it lyrically un interesting. Mamunia has a Paul Simon Vibe. No Words is a bit of a mess. Beach Boys meet Bee Gees. Picasso's Last Words (Drink to Me), I like the lyrics on this one, I'm confused by the instrumentation. I'm going to assume they were going for an abstract sculpture of audio. Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five has a little more of a driving energy and caught my attention. There is some good stuff across the board, I enjoyed it, but it all stops a little short from sounding fully fleshed out.