Forty years ago in 1967, on the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club album, Paul McCartney asked this question, “Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I’m 64?†Paul McCartney is now 64. Actually, he turned 65 yesterday (6-18-2007). So I would like to answer this for him. Yes, we need anyone who is releasing music this relevant at any age. As for feeding him, the album is already number one on the internet download charts, so I don’t foresee him bouncing any checks at the grocery store. The easiest way to describe the songs by any artist is to refer to their influences, which is very perplexing when it comes to a Paul McCartney. For example, how many album reviews refer to songs as Beatle influenced or use some term like “Beatlesque?†That might apply to certain songs on this album. But can you call a song by an artist Beatlesque if the artist “is’ Beatlesque. Much of the music is very progressive, but Wings was at the very foundation of 70s prog rock. So that term falls short as well.
In a nutshell, Memory Almost Full is completely influenced by the genius living in Paul McCartney’s mind. But not in some tacky attempt to capture old glory, like you see with many older rock stars. McCartney clearly does not believe in going backwards or even standing still. He refers to this in the song “Vintage Clothes†as he says, “Don’t live in the past. Don’t hold on to something that is changing fast. What we are is what we are. And what we wear is vintage clothes.†As for me, I’m looking forward to when he’s 74. Happy birthday Paul.
This review also appears on: http://amberwavesoftwang.blogspot.com
About the author: Chip and his family live in Birmingham, AL. Roll Tide!