McCartney, whether you love him or loathe him, is a bit of a legend and he really seems to come to terms with his status in his 2001 album Memory Almost Full. Macca's first output on the Starbucks label was produced by David Kahne and represents a much more focussed offering than his previous discs.

For once, Macca doesn't seem to be denying his former life with Wings and when listening to the album one could be mistaken for believing that you were, in fact, listening to something recorded many years before. The tone is high, tuneful and guitar heavy and there's a real return to the past. Although you feel that he's coming to terms with his life and status this is an album that's totally lacking in pretention. It's a quiet look back (and at times forward).

The album isn't consistently good and, in fact, I'd argue that his single release "Dance Tonight" is actually one of the weaker tracks. It's one of the few that isn't true to the past and, as such, it jars rather in an album that's otherwise fluid.

Both musically and lyrically this is an album in retrospect. There's not much that really "sounds" new and the theme is most definitely in the past. Lazy summers are evoked in "You Tell Me" and the past is ever present. However, "The End of the End" brings us into the future in a rather sombre yet still backward looking way. This is a clever album musically.

Unlike many of these "easy pop" albums, apologies Macca, but an aging rocker can't be much else, this one is strangely haunting. It's not just an easy listen. It stays with you when you're done listening. I'm not entirely sure why. The lyrics get you thinking, but not that much. The music is OK but you're unlikely to find it spinning in your mind long after the last track. But somehow, the album stays. It's quite an achievement.

I think this album may well surprise a few people. It crosses the pop/classical/rock boundaries. Haunting violins give way to Wings-style rock beats in "Only Mamma Knows", the first real indication that this isn't pure pop - but then we return to the pop again. At times one could be listening to a 20-something artist charting today. Then we return to the 60s and pure Macca.

McCartney's musicality (remember that opera?) comes out towards the end of the album with short successive tracks that have an almost suite like feel to them. This is, I think, no accident. He's rationalising. Putting things in their place. Remembering and performing. It's not a forced album.

The biggest credit is that, whilst being retrospective, this is not a major statement. It's not a wallow. It feels personal yet it's presented as something for McCartney to use and not for his audience. It's deliciously simple.


Try - you might just be surprised.