McCartney III (2020)
McCartney III embodies a paradox that mirrors the complexity of its creator's career. It stands as both a testament to Paul McCartney's unwavering creative spirit and a reflection of the limitations inherent in a solo endeavor amidst a global crisis. I simultaneously understand all of this records criticism, but I equally understand all of its praise.
Paul's solo albums, bearing his surname, often serve as milestones marking significant junctures in his life's journey. McCartney III fittingly emerges as the pandemic project, a solitary endeavor conceived during the unprecedented era of the COVID-19 lockdowns. The sheer audacity of McCartney's decision to undertake the entire recording process alone commands respect, marking it as a monumental achievement in itself.
Yet, within this solitary venture lies both its brilliance and its shortcomings. While some may argue that McCartney III ventures into the territory of repetition, elongating songs that could have been distilled into more accessible pop gems, such critiques seem to miss the point entirely. McCartney wasn't striving to adhere to a formula or to catalyze a sonic evolution; rather, he sought to explore uncharted territory, to push boundaries, to revel in the joy of creation for creation's sake. Indeed, the album's charm lies in its refusal to conform. While some tracks may falter in their execution, there's an undeniable authenticity permeating each composition.
Lyrically, McCartney traverses a vast emotional landscape, from the tender nuances of love to the great sense of unease brought on by a world gripped by a global pandemic. Yet, amidst the lyrical profundity, there exists a simplicity that, at times, borders on the repetitive, the simple and the mundane. Tracks like Deep Down, Deep Deep Feeling, and Long Tailed Winter Bird have the promise of interesting musicality, but also fain too simple.
Lavatory Lil harkens back to the later heyday of The Beatles, evoking shades of Polythene Pam, while Seize The Day feels like a lost gem from McCartney's Wings era. It's a journey through nostalgia and innovation, a testament to McCartney's enduring legacy as a musical icon.
McCartney III may find itself overshadowed by its predecessors. Riding on the coattails of albums like NEW and Egypt Station, expectations were undoubtedly high for modern McCartney. Yet, perhaps it's in letting go of these expectations that one can truly appreciate the raw authenticity of McCartney III.
McCartney III stands to Paul McCartney's unwavering creative spirit, a journey through the depths of isolation and introspection. While it may not soar to the heights of his most revered works, it definitely stands as one of Paul’s most experimental records to date.
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Highlight Songs:
Find My Way
Lavatory Lil
Deep Deep Feeling
Winter Bird / When The Winter Comes
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Own it, Stream it, Forget about it?
Unless this album really resonates with you in a way that it doesn’t with me, I would stick to streaming it. Or if you really like the album artwork then go for it, but I think this is one you can get away with streaming.
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Overall Rating
3 Stars
