Twin Freaks (2005)
The entire collaborative effort between Paul McCartney and DJ Freelance Hellraiser stands as one of the most unique entries in the McCartney catalog. From what I understand, during McCartney’s 2004 tour, this album was used as a sort of opening act. It's unclear whether DJ Freelance Hellraiser performed live before each show or if the set was played over the PA system, but either way, the record consists of intriguing mashups of McCartney songs designed to warm up the crowd.
Given its purpose, I'll keep this review brief, as Twin Freaks functions more like a reimagined greatest hits collection aimed at energizing an audience. I appreciate and applaud Paul for releasing this for the die-hard fans and those curious about his experimental side. Imagining myself in a stadium, eagerly awaiting McCartney's performance, I can see how this album would be a fun and exciting prelude.
While Twin Freaks is an interesting and creative project, it is primarily contextual and best appreciated as part of the live concert experience. It serves its purpose well, but it’s not necessarily a record that invites repeated listens on its own. As a fan, I’m glad to have heard it and appreciate the innovative approach, but it's not something I would return to frequently outside of the concert context.
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Highlight Songs:
Really Love You
What’s That You’re Doing?
Temporary Secretary (Paul’s worst song ever is .. tolerable here)
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Own it, Stream it, Forget about it?
I say it’s worth streaming once or twice and that’s about it. It was released as an exclusive double LP special edition vinyl, so definitely buy it if you are a collector. If not, then you can pass on this.
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Overall Rating
3 Stars
