Memory more than Almost Full of these tunes. (Memory Almost Full - Paul McCartney)

Member Name: FlickeringEmber

Product:	Memory Almost Full - Paul McCartney
Date:	10/08/08 (70 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Brilliant album especially with the bonus DVD.

Disadvantages: Underrated.

There are several versions of this album; there is the standard CD, the CD with a 3 track bonus CD and then there is the CD with the 3 bonus tracks and a bonus DVD. I'd say the one with the DVD is best as it has footage from the secret shows he did in June 2007; I am in this DVD as I was at the London one.

Anyway, as for reviewing this album, although I have been into Paul for 20 years now, I am still able to be objective and so here is my review of this, his most recent offering to date. I will just review the standard 13 tracks as not everyone is interested in spending the extra on the bonus CD/DVD.

1. Dance Tonight. This was released as a single and you can see the video for it (Starring Natalie Portman) on Youtube. Very interesting as Paul plays the mandolin for a different sound. It's a hoe-down, family time sort of feel. Great, simple song.

2. Ever Present Past. This is also a single, which has a video on Youtube. Paul has been doing a lot of reflecting and remensicing lately but this is one of the more upbeat tunes; easy to sing along to and to like. Again, simple but nice.

3. See Your Sunshine. This was written for Heather Mills and shows Paul's maturity at still including it and remembering the good times with her, as he released this album when they were still in the middle of their divorce. It's simple and I like it although it's one of the weaker tracks on the album.

4. Only Mama Knows. This was released as a single in America but not over here. It's the most commercial sounding track on the album and very catchy. I like it a lot; it's vibrant, rocky and cool.

5. You Tell Me. This is another remeniscing one, and for me it's another weaker track on the album. The vocals sound too "old man" and delicate for my liking; his voice sounds fragile. The lyrics are sweet and sentimental and make me think of Linda McCartney.

6. Mr Bellamy. Very funky piano intro riff, another interesting track, with lots of points of interest including some sort of horn playing just before the piano riff, and it's the 3rd most commercial sounding track on the album

7. Gratitude is another one which, although I don't think Paul has publically admitted it, I am sure is for Heather. The lyrics have some personal meaning for me and I like this track although it's about the 3rd weakest track on this album in terms of commercial value I would say. It's a favourite for me though, and I also heard hints of "60s Paul" with the slghtly more growly vocals in places.

8. Vintage Clothes is another upbeat, funky one which is probably the 2nd most commercial sounding track and would sound great on the radio. Simple and joyful.

9. That Was Me is another remeniscing one, very funky sounding indeed with a cool bassline and a positive feel to it. The idea stems from Paul saying he sometimes looks at all the stuff he's done and has a "Bloody hell, that was me!" moment. A brilliant track.

10. Feet In The Clouds finishes the medley of Vintage Clothes and That Was Me as all three tracks run smoothly into eachother. A good track which is easy to like although not very commercial sounding. One more for the Paul McCartney enthusiasts I think and one of the weaker tracks on the album for this reason.

11. House Of Wax is brilliant as it's not what you'd expect from Macca. I never stereotyped him but a lot of people have him down as some soppy balladeer. I think this track shows a fascinating side of him to people who had not already seen more than 1 dimension to him. It's dark and quite creepy; I can imagine it being played in some psychological thriller movie. Some haunting guitar riffs which literally made my hairs stand on end and gave me goosebumps. Beautiful.

12. The End OF The End is a semi morbid song which asks people to celebrate Paul's life rather than mourn his passing when the inevitable and unthinkable happens. Not very commercial, and hard for me to listen to for this reason but still a good song.

13. Nod Your Head was released as a single and there is a video on Youtube, well there are 2 different ones. Upbeat, wth more "60s Paul" screamy vocals which show he still has it going on. Simple and fun.

Summary: To date the latest offering from Paul McCartney.