‘Chaos’ McCartney’s best since Beatles
The lilting magnificence of Paul McCartney’s newest album is truly music to the ears. The catchy tunes and upbeat lyrics will find you tapping your toes and wanting to sing along.
McCartney performs vocals for the songs on his first album in three years, “Chaos and Creation in the Backyard.” He also plays multiple instruments with some tracks composed of McCartney playing 11 different instruments. His skill is still on top of the genre; all of the instruments are played masterfully, giving the songs feeling. The music is blended beautifully and the songs give the impression that McCartney has a full band playing behind him.
Whether it’s the upbeat sound of “Fine Line”, the contagiously quirky “English Tea” or the slower, more solemn “At the Mercy,” this album is both engaging and entertaining. There isn’t anything cheesy or soppy here, just good music. Compared with the other music McCartney has put out since his break from the Beatles, this album is one of the best. These sweet sounds are undeniably fun to listen to. Like all great music, I can’t promise that everyone will like “Chaos and Creation.” Most people, however, will. And everyone should at least listen to some of it, even if they don’t end up buying it.
So check it out, listen to a few songs. There’s bound to be some you like because the album is full of diversity and contrast: sad and happy, fast and slow. There’s something for everyone.
Denver Bradbury is a music critic at the Utah Statesman. Comments and questions can be sent to him at dlbrad@cc.usu.edu.