Paul McCartney - "Memory Almost Full" (Hear Music)

Paul McCartney's new album Memory Almost Full may very well remind all of us of all the elements that made this guy such a talented, celebrated composer and performer in the first place. Let's face a few facts: Sir Paul has let us down in the past. Quite a bit of his solo output of late (he used to be in this band called The Beatles, ya see...) has been disappointing to say the least. Memory Almost Full (great title, by the way) will bring back fond memories of mid-70's Wings, the best parts of his solo albums, and even harkens back to the creative juggernaut that was the "Fab Four".

Producer David Kahne told Rolling Stone recently that Paul came to him and wanted this album to be "great". McCartney certainly tried his best here, and he does seem to have a new lease on life after leaving the major label world (and second wife) behind. "Nod Your Head" could be something off of the white album or Abbey Road, and "Dance Tonight" kind of reminds me of the charming pop simplicity of "Let 'Em In".He's in great voice throughout, and gives us the full range of McCartney singing from Little Richard shouting to tender crooning.

Is this Paul's best work since Band On The Run? Perhaps. Is it as good as any Beatle album? No, but it's no "Say Say Say" either, and we should all be thankful for that. A very worthy listen overall.

Written by Dan Reed

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