Post by Triple J on Oct 2, 2005 14:09:35 GMT -5
Chaos And Creation In The Backyard
That's a pretty cool picture, isn't it?
Paul's latest album is not a rocker, nor is it a snoozer. It's just a collection of good music. Not "great," not "awesome," just "good." At first listen, it might be just a little disappointing. It's definitely worth the second spin. It grows on you. It did for me.
The album is about half piano, half acoustic guitar. There's several catchy rhythms here and there. Some might remind you of other songs he's done. Well, we're talking about a guy who has written songs for almost 50 years. So naturally some would have to sound somewhat alike, right? He has literally created at least one in his sleep! That one of course was what would soon become "Yesterday." Most of the songs here are rather short... 10 tracks average just under 3 minutes. Still, Paul manages to squeeze in some very fine arrangements. He plays a LOT of the instruments himself. If he could, he probably would've done the violins and brass too! 
All in all, it's a job well done, and it's becoming a favorite of mine. 
The tracks...
1. Fine Line - First single. Doesn't disappoint. Rocking piano rhythm! The tune reminds me a lot of "Lady Madonna." One lyric contains the first half of the album title: "There is a long way between chaos and creation."
There is a fine line, between recklessness and courage, it's about time, you understood which road to take, It's a fine line, and your decision makes a difference, get it wrong, you'll be making a big mistake
2. How Kind Of You - Paul wrote this about meeting his 2nd wife Heather Mills. Some interesting blends of instruments here. Listen closely and you will hear a shaker, a guerrero, and a flugelhorn! ;D
How kind of you to think of me, when I was out of sorts... it really meant a lot to be... in someone else's thoughts... someone else's mind... someone else as kind... as you
3. Jenny Wren - Acoustic number, very, very pretty. Reminiscent of "Blackbird." Paul sings softly in a high pitch, with just a hint of torment.
Like so many girls... Jenny Wren could sing, but a broken heart... took her song away... Like the other girls... Jenny Wren took wing, she could see the world... and its foolish ways
4. At The Mercy - At first, it's quiet and kind of melancholy. Midway through, there's an uplifting interlude.
At the mercy, at the mercy, at the mercy of a busy day... who can bear to turn their head away... At the mercy, at the mercy, at the mercy of a busy road... we can watch the universe explode
5. Friends To Go - A fave! Cool upbeat rhythm, good rocking-chair song. ;D Starts with a simple strumming, much like "Young Boy." Paul said that the strumming reminded him of George Harrison. He's right... this does sound like a George song!
I've been waitin' on the other side... for your friends to leave so I don't have to hide, I'd prefer they didn't know... so I've been waitin' on the other side for your friends to go
6. English Tea - This is cute. Starts with a string section, then goes into a playful and cheeky piano tune. Just sounds so... British! I say, rah-ther!
Paul also plays tubular bells and a recorder on this.
Would you care to sit with me, for a cup of English tea... very twee... very me... any sunny morning... What a pleasure it would be, chatting so delightfully... Nanny bakes... fairy cakes... every Sunday morning
7. Too Much Rain - Another fave. Kind of a "cheer-up" song. I love Paul's vocals when he sings "too... much... rain."
Laugh, when your eyes are burning... smile, when your heart is filled with pain... sigh, as you brush away your sorrow... make a vow, that it's not gonna happen again... it's not right... in one life... too... much... rain
8. A Certain Softness - Another pretty one. Reminds me of "And I Love Her." Has more soft high-pitched vocals.
A certain softness, in her eyes... fascinates me, more than I ever thought it would... more than I ever thought it could... a certain softness in her eyes... got me hooked... got me hooked
9. Riding To Vanity Fair - Slow, soothing, almost haunting. Through most of it, Paul plays two simple notes on a toy glockenspiel.
The definition of friendship... apparently ought to be showing support for the one that you love... and I was open to friendship... but you didn't seem to have any to spare, while you were riding to vanity fair
10. Follow Me - Nice, easy-going acoustic tune.
You lift up my spirits, you shine on my soul, whenever I'm empty, you make me feel whole, I can rely on you, to guide me through, any situation... you hold up a sign that reads... follow me
11. Promise To You Girl - Very cool beat, catchy piano. Some parts have double-tracking of Paul's voice and a moog synthesizer, which reminded me of how he sounded in the 70's. I LOVE the very first line, it contains the second half of the album title: "Looking through the backyard of my life, time to sweep the fallen leaves away."
I gave my promise to you girl... I don't want to take it back... you and me, side by side, we know how to change the world, that is why, I gave my promise to you girl
12. This Never Happened Before - Smooth, relaxing, very sweet.
I'm very sure... this never happened to me before... I met you and now I'm sure... this never happened before
13. Anyway - The final track is pretty much a clunker. Much of it sounds almost EXACTLY like "People Get Ready." After the song, there's some extra "stuff" tacked on, it sounds like jam sessions mixed with outtakes, and then the instruments start to play sporadically... it's tough to describe. I don't know what Paul was trying to do here, it's sounds like a mess to me. Pretty weak. Here, I'll give you the first few lyrics... you can sing them right along to the tune of "People Get Ready!"
If you love me... won't you call me... I've been waiting, waiting too long... In my soul is... constant yearning... always singing, singing this song
That's a pretty cool picture, isn't it?
Paul's latest album is not a rocker, nor is it a snoozer. It's just a collection of good music. Not "great," not "awesome," just "good." At first listen, it might be just a little disappointing. It's definitely worth the second spin. It grows on you. It did for me.
The album is about half piano, half acoustic guitar. There's several catchy rhythms here and there. Some might remind you of other songs he's done. Well, we're talking about a guy who has written songs for almost 50 years. So naturally some would have to sound somewhat alike, right? He has literally created at least one in his sleep! That one of course was what would soon become "Yesterday." Most of the songs here are rather short... 10 tracks average just under 3 minutes. Still, Paul manages to squeeze in some very fine arrangements. He plays a LOT of the instruments himself. If he could, he probably would've done the violins and brass too! All in all, it's a job well done, and it's becoming a favorite of mine. The tracks...1. Fine Line - First single. Doesn't disappoint. Rocking piano rhythm! The tune reminds me a lot of "Lady Madonna." One lyric contains the first half of the album title: "There is a long way between chaos and creation."
There is a fine line, between recklessness and courage, it's about time, you understood which road to take, It's a fine line, and your decision makes a difference, get it wrong, you'll be making a big mistake
2. How Kind Of You - Paul wrote this about meeting his 2nd wife Heather Mills. Some interesting blends of instruments here. Listen closely and you will hear a shaker, a guerrero, and a flugelhorn! ;D
How kind of you to think of me, when I was out of sorts... it really meant a lot to be... in someone else's thoughts... someone else's mind... someone else as kind... as you
3. Jenny Wren - Acoustic number, very, very pretty. Reminiscent of "Blackbird." Paul sings softly in a high pitch, with just a hint of torment.
Like so many girls... Jenny Wren could sing, but a broken heart... took her song away... Like the other girls... Jenny Wren took wing, she could see the world... and its foolish ways
4. At The Mercy - At first, it's quiet and kind of melancholy. Midway through, there's an uplifting interlude.
At the mercy, at the mercy, at the mercy of a busy day... who can bear to turn their head away... At the mercy, at the mercy, at the mercy of a busy road... we can watch the universe explode
5. Friends To Go - A fave! Cool upbeat rhythm, good rocking-chair song. ;D Starts with a simple strumming, much like "Young Boy." Paul said that the strumming reminded him of George Harrison. He's right... this does sound like a George song!
I've been waitin' on the other side... for your friends to leave so I don't have to hide, I'd prefer they didn't know... so I've been waitin' on the other side for your friends to go
6. English Tea - This is cute. Starts with a string section, then goes into a playful and cheeky piano tune. Just sounds so... British! I say, rah-ther!
Paul also plays tubular bells and a recorder on this.Would you care to sit with me, for a cup of English tea... very twee... very me... any sunny morning... What a pleasure it would be, chatting so delightfully... Nanny bakes... fairy cakes... every Sunday morning
7. Too Much Rain - Another fave. Kind of a "cheer-up" song. I love Paul's vocals when he sings "too... much... rain."
Laugh, when your eyes are burning... smile, when your heart is filled with pain... sigh, as you brush away your sorrow... make a vow, that it's not gonna happen again... it's not right... in one life... too... much... rain
8. A Certain Softness - Another pretty one. Reminds me of "And I Love Her." Has more soft high-pitched vocals.
A certain softness, in her eyes... fascinates me, more than I ever thought it would... more than I ever thought it could... a certain softness in her eyes... got me hooked... got me hooked
9. Riding To Vanity Fair - Slow, soothing, almost haunting. Through most of it, Paul plays two simple notes on a toy glockenspiel.
The definition of friendship... apparently ought to be showing support for the one that you love... and I was open to friendship... but you didn't seem to have any to spare, while you were riding to vanity fair
10. Follow Me - Nice, easy-going acoustic tune.
You lift up my spirits, you shine on my soul, whenever I'm empty, you make me feel whole, I can rely on you, to guide me through, any situation... you hold up a sign that reads... follow me
11. Promise To You Girl - Very cool beat, catchy piano. Some parts have double-tracking of Paul's voice and a moog synthesizer, which reminded me of how he sounded in the 70's. I LOVE the very first line, it contains the second half of the album title: "Looking through the backyard of my life, time to sweep the fallen leaves away."
I gave my promise to you girl... I don't want to take it back... you and me, side by side, we know how to change the world, that is why, I gave my promise to you girl
12. This Never Happened Before - Smooth, relaxing, very sweet.
I'm very sure... this never happened to me before... I met you and now I'm sure... this never happened before
13. Anyway - The final track is pretty much a clunker. Much of it sounds almost EXACTLY like "People Get Ready." After the song, there's some extra "stuff" tacked on, it sounds like jam sessions mixed with outtakes, and then the instruments start to play sporadically... it's tough to describe. I don't know what Paul was trying to do here, it's sounds like a mess to me. Pretty weak. Here, I'll give you the first few lyrics... you can sing them right along to the tune of "People Get Ready!"
If you love me... won't you call me... I've been waiting, waiting too long... In my soul is... constant yearning... always singing, singing this song
