Back To The Egg (1979)
Following the commercial letdown of London Town, Paul McCartney updated his roster with Wings and took one last swing. He aimed to return to his rock roots while maintaining the pop songwriting perfection he had shown such expertise in. Not content to simply copy and paste his music, Paul once again got creative in the studio, aiming to change things up. The evolution from the rawness of RAM and Wild Life to the commercial pop-rock of Band on the Run and Venus and Mars, and to the folk-rock of London Town, shows that McCartney doesn’t have to stick to a formula. Back To The Egg brings some new flair to the dinner table.
Getting Closer is the perfect example of the band dipping their toes back into the true rock pool. t kicks off with a driving beat and an infectious guitar riff that immediately grabs your attention. The song is filled with energy, captivating hooks, and fantastic melodies that showcase McCartney's knack for crafting catchy tunes. The lyrics, with their quirky references and playful tone, add to the song's charm. McCartney's vocals are passionate and dynamic, driving the song forward with a sense of urgency and excitement. The production is polished yet retains a raw edge, giving the track a fresh, lively feel.
Back To The Egg does contain some filler and fluff, including transitional tracks that serve as preludes to the main songs of the album. We can debate all day whether these types of tracks are necessary, but in terms of listening to the project as a whole, they fill the gaps and contribute to the album's flow. Tracks like Reception, We’re Open Tonight, and The Broadcast help carry us through the experience of the album, acting as binders that make the record flow.
I applaud Paul for bringing high rock 'n' roll energy into this album. Spin It On almost feels like a pop-punk attempt, but it doesn’t quite stick the landing for me. Again and Again and Again could stylistically be an Elvis Costello song, which is great, but it is not the home run hit that this album needed. Old Siam, Sir has a deeply iconic rock guitar hook, and I am surprised it is not more famous than it is. Commercially, this is a fantastic rock song that ticks so many boxes. Also, forget Ebony and Ivory, because Arrow Through Me feels more like a Stevie Wonder collaboration than anything else. The R&B style, the funky bass, and the blasting horns make this song a total groove. Rockestra Theme is thumping, electrifying, and an overall great showcase of the band's rock 'n' roll prowess.
I would also like to direct all of my ex-girlfriends to To You.
Thank you.
After the Ball / Million Miles is not the most memorable of Paul’s ballads/power ballads, but at the end of the day, it is a good song individually. Meanwhile, Winter Rose / Love Awake is a hauntingly beautiful piece of composition, but Winter Rose sadly dies out too quickly, moving into Love Awake. The latter is a fine song, but it is nothing revolutionary and I’m left feeling shorted because of how strong Winter Rose lead the line.
So Glad to See You Here helps reinvigorate the back half of the record. The band turns the amps right back up to 11 and they blow the roof off the place. These guys still can rock.
Finally, Baby’s Request is a wonderful end track. It is relaxing, subtle, and jazzy. Perfect for brunch on a rainy morning, though it is somewhat out of place on this record. Nonetheless, it is one of my favorites, so I won’t fuss about it too much.
Paul McCartney and Wings had to compete at the tail end of the 1970s against many opposing styles, fighting the charts against artists like Bee Gees, Donna Summer, and other late '70s disco and dance music icons. It is understandable why Back to the Egg and London Town did not get the credit and love they deserve. They were too creative and diverse compared to their original work and to what was hot on the charts at the time.
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Highlight Songs:
Getting Closer
Arrow Through Me
Old Siam, Sir
So Glad To See You Here
Baby’s Request
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Own it, Stream it, Forget about it?
I have suggested owning every record up until this point, so you might as well complete the collection! It has a great, artistic album cover and although there aren’t too many definitive hits, it is still a good record to listen to as a whole.
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Overall Rating
3.5 Stars
