the fireman

For well over a decade, Paul McCartney has not-so-secretly recorded ambient trance music with producer Youth. In 2008, the ever-industrious Macca needed to get away from tabloid hell so he gave Youth a call and proposed that they write, record and mix a song a day -- this time with Paul's vocals. The results are so stellar that Macca now wishes he released this under his own name. Paul gets rid of his bad divorce vibes on the blistering opener before rediscovering joy with "Sing the Changes," "Lifelong Passion" and "Don't Stop Running." Not quite as richly rewarding as Memory Almost Full, but still an unqualified triumph.

After a decade-plus hiatus, Sir Paul revives his low-profile, weed-scented collaboration
with superproducer Youth (U2, the Orb), retrofitting their abstract electronica with good
ol' psychedelic rock for the ex-Beatle's headiest music in years. "Nothing Too Much Just
Out of Sight" throws "Helter Skelter" hollering over electric blues. "Two Magpies" joins
"Blackbird" in McCartney's folksy aviary; "Sing the Changes" is catchy, woozy po... More >