Lew Bundles Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 McCartney took his entire back catalogue with him when he left, too. This includes all his solo albums, and Wings releases, everything from McCartney to "Ram" to "Band on the Run" and "Chaos."It's not like CDs still really sell or that many people are busy looking for "Red Rose Speedway" or "Flowers in the Dirt," but still: McCartney as a solo artist is one of the great success stories in the now nearly dead music business.Whether taking "Memory Almost Full" to Starbucks is a smart move remains to be seen. The coffee chain has had a lot of hits with other company's releases, but also some duds. Can you say Antigone Rising?And, of course, Starbucks also sells CDs at high prices. I have personally resisted James Morrison's album while waiting for cappuccino because it's $14.99. I could download it for $5 less.On the other hand, outside of Amazon.com, Starbucks is one of the few places people my age will buy a CD at all. The remaining "record" stores are multitask disasters with thunderous hip-hop music making the visit very unpleasant.Like most everything else in the music business, the era of contemplative record hunting through bins is over.Even so, buying "Memory Almost Over" in Starbucks should prove to be a rewarding experience. McCartney is true to form on this CD, offering lush ballads and jangling rockers with as much gusto and unembarrassed gushing as ever. From the opening track, a mandolin-powered ebullient "Dance Tonight," to the closing power surge of "Nod Your Head," he's still got it.Of course, nowadays, you listen to a Paul McCartney record more closely than ever for the lyrics. Is "Dance Tonight" some kind of comment on his gold-digging ex-wife's stint on "Dancing with the Stars"? Is the beautifully wistful "You Tell Me" sung to his late, beloved wife, Linda? What about "Ever Present Past" and "Vintage Clothes"? Aren't they nostalgic reminisces of that first, now much-missed marriage? It would seem so.My favorite track, "That Was Me," a rockabilly shuffle, is disarmingly reflective for McCartney. For years, until his excellent "Flaming Pie" album, he eschewed real emotion for a veneer of flashed peace signs."That Was Me," as it is, inaugurates a five-song medley that finishes off "Memory." "Feet in the Clouds," "House of Wax" and "The End of the End" comprise the bulk of the medley. Some of the publicity compares this to the suite on "Abbey Road." Not really.The medley really reminded me of a similar one on "Red Rose Speedway" and on some of the other solo albums. Paul McCartney loves a medley, you know. He loves stringing together short bits with different melodies.Luckily, he's good at it. His medleys usually contain at least one gem. Back on "Red Rose," it was "Hands of Love." On this album, it's "Feet in the Clouds," a tour de force where McCartney — who has absolutely improved 100 percent as a lyricist — insists he has his "head on the ground" in a Beatle-esque counterpoint that even John Lennon would admire.What will happen when "Memory" joins the ventis and the grandes and the chocolate-covered graham crackers on the Starbucks shelves?Already, McCartney says he has made a video for "Dance Tonight" with director Michel Gondry. Natalie Portman is featured in it. But neither MTV nor VH1 plays many videos, and none by rock stars who will turn 65 three weeks after his album is released.But no one writes or sings like Paul McCartney. After a roller coaster career of tremendous highs and curious lows, he has acquitted himself brilliantly on "Memory Almost Full." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAM Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 Nice review Lew, I'm looking forward to purchasing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 Lew how is it that you've heard the record already?Marv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris hess Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 when is the release date? lol,chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lew Bundles Posted May 4, 2007 Author Share Posted May 4, 2007 Marv...I didnt hear the album yet, the review that I posted was missing the first couple of paragraphs of the review which explained the source...Unfortunately, I dont remember where I got it from...Release date...June 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris hess Posted May 4, 2007 Share Posted May 4, 2007 thanks lew for the info!! lol,chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Mac Posted May 6, 2007 Share Posted May 6, 2007 Everything you would ever want to know about Memory Almost Full is posted here... http://www.dmbeatles.com/forums/b-mccartney/m-1176284442/ Download and listen to two of the new tracks here... http://pepperland.multiply.com/music/item/1 MAC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suede Posted May 6, 2007 Share Posted May 6, 2007 I was going to walk into Starbucks and buy the CD as soon as it came out but Amazon is going to have a LTD with some extra tracks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Mac Posted May 7, 2007 Share Posted May 7, 2007 There are three versions coming out and you will be able to buy any one of them at your local Starbucks. I sure ain't waiting for the mailman!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darlene Posted May 7, 2007 Share Posted May 7, 2007 Thanks for the review, Lew. It's a good one. I'd love to get one with extra tracks. --Darlene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspbernie Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 I managed to snag an advance of Paul's new CD and after one spin, my assessment is that in a musical sense it is very interesting. However, the lyrics are just plain uninspired and the melodies never quite got my toe tapping. This will take several listens. It is not instantly likeable.Bernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAM Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 We just finished watching "In The World Tonight", the documentary of the making of Paul's "Flaming Pie" project. I still feel that it was the last album that had any of the McCartney "magic" in it. Just my 2 cents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sllvnbil Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 I remember back in 89 when I heard "MY BRAVE FACE" for the first time. After that first listen, I instantly loved it. That's the last McCartney song that's done that for me. "Flowers In The Dirt" in my opinion is the last record of his that had some great songs. I stopped buying McCartney records after "Flaming Pie". I was very dissapointed after buying that one. Don't get me wrong folks,,,, Paul McCartney will ALWAYS remain to be a hero and my biggest influence musically speaking in my life. I'll just keep listening to the Beatles, McCartney, Ram, Band On The Run, Venus & Mars, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 For what it's worth, Rolling Stone has this review: http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/in...tm_medium=email Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadfingerBarb Posted May 18, 2007 Share Posted May 18, 2007 I'm not too crazy about it. I've had it for just over a week and I do like it more now than the first couple of listens but I really disliked it then. My favorite songs are "Only Mama Knows" and "You Tell Me". I despise "Ever Pesent Past", "See Your Sunshine" and "End of The End". I agree with Bernie about a lot of the lyrics, particularly in the three previously mentioned songs. One song, "Mr. Bellamy", reminds me of something Kate Bush might have done. I hated it at first as it's so un-Macca like but I find it a little more interesting now. I probably would have really liked it if Kate Bush had done it. "Vintage Clothes" has been stuck in my head the last couple of days and is starting to grow on me. The album has been getting a lot of positive reviews so far so I guess I'm in the minority. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted May 24, 2007 Share Posted May 24, 2007 Barb I don't know if you're in the minority or not. I've read some reviews where they've bashed the album mercilessly, and then if you go to the McCartney website and read the reviews from the fans, you'd think that this new release was "Son of Band On the Run."Marv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 You can listen to snipets of songs, as well as check out the "Memory Almost Full" website: http://www.memoryalmostfull.com/ Marv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted June 1, 2007 Share Posted June 1, 2007 Rolling Stone's review: www.rollingstone.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted June 2, 2007 Share Posted June 2, 2007 Media outlets reviews: Observer-UK (5/5) http://macca.devstars.eu/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=59540&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=105 Entertainment Weekly (A-) http://macca.devstars.eu/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=59540&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=285 Daily Mail (Positive) http://macca.devstars.eu/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=59540&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=270 Manchester Evening News (positive) http://macca.devstars.eu/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=59540&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=270 Hotpress.com (8/10) http://macca.devstars.eu/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=59540&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=195 Mail on Sunday-UK (4/5) http://macca.devstars.eu/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=59540&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=195 About.com (4/5) http://macca.devstars.eu/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=59540&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=240 Q Magazine (3/5) http://macca.devstars.eu/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=59540&start=285 Miami Herald (3/5) http://macca.devstars.eu/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=59540&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=255 Uncut-UK (3/5) http://macca.devstars.eu/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=59540&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=195 Daily mirror (2/5) - http://macca.devstars.eu/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=59540&start=255 Irish Times (1/5) http://macca.devstars.eu/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=59540&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=180 Billboard Magazine (Positive) www.billboard.com Marv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ira Posted June 3, 2007 Share Posted June 3, 2007 Enjoy the video of "Dance Tonight" from Paul's new CD. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTNXrkBSp_o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris hess Posted June 3, 2007 Share Posted June 3, 2007 personally,the biggest events for me right now is paul's release,and the raspberries release..i'm in desperate need of an uplifting ....it's been a horribly stressful last 3 weeks,one thing after another..so i AM SO looking forward to my fave artists releases!! lol,chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lew Bundles Posted June 5, 2007 Author Share Posted June 5, 2007 Anybody who dosent think that this album is up to snuff should go back and listen again...Sure there is some light weight stuff, but he has come a loooooong way, lyrically and his melodies/arrangements are as innovative as ever...My only complaint with the Mac are his choice of singles...Othere than that, a real good outing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lew Bundles Posted June 6, 2007 Author Share Posted June 6, 2007 HOUSE OF WAXTHE END OF THE ENDYOU TELL MEAbsolute winners Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Davie Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 Got my copy today....had one listen through while working on the laptop at the Starbucks wi-fi. To me, it sounded like a modern day version of his late 70's/early 80's material. But he definitely still has the vocal chops...which is just amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMMY TUNES Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 Good video. Thanks Ira. Hope to see you at WAB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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