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On Chaos And Creation In The Back Yard, Sir Paul tries something he did on his first self-titled solo album in 1970, he's playing every instrument himself, including the guitar, bass, drums, flugelhorn and harmonium. And to make sure those Beatles days find their way into his new record, McCartney recorded 'Jenny Wren' which he says is the daughter of Blackbird. Co-produced with Nigel Godrich (Radiohead, Beck), Chaos And Creation is McCartney's first record since 2001's Driving Rain. EMI. 2005. .com ---- Sir Paul is an elder statesman now, but Chaos and Creation in the Backyard finds him in considered and tastefully restrained form, penning songs worthy of his finest hour. McCartney crafts this collection of songs with exquisite balance, lining up haunting chimes and heartfelt lyrics ("Riding to Vanity Fair") alongside pounding "Hey Bulldog"-esque chords and eerily Beatles-ish multitracked vocals ("Promise to You Girl," "Fine Line") and, most impressively, distinctively new yet timeless gems of songcraft ("Anyway," "Jenny Wren"). Emotionally, Chaos and Creation manages to avoid being mired in oversentimentality, while retaining a powerful, understated sincerity. Poignant though it is, however, the record is essentially positive and hopeful: Sir Paul's playfulness beams through in his intonation, which picks up a line such as "It's not right/In your life/Too much rain" and breathes life and optimism into its words. "English Tea" completes the package, an unrepentantly twee serving of Anglo-nostalgia with recorder. Chaos and Creation in the Backyard displays the full range of McCartney's inimitable talent, presenting listeners with one of his finest solo albums. --Jonti Davies More Paul McCartney Ram ( /exec/obidos/ASIN/B000002UC7/ref=ed_mus_6x_macca_ram ) Band on the Run ( /exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000I7KL/ref=ed_mus_6x_macca_botr ) McCartney ( /exec/obidos/ASIN/B000002UC5/ref=ed_mus_6x_macca_mccartney ) Flaming Pie ( /exec/obidos/ASIN/B000002ULO/ref=ed_mus_6x_macca_fp ) Wingspan: Hits and History ( /exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005BA03/ref=ed_mus_6x_macca_ws ) Run Devil Run ( /exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001QGPH/ref=ed_mus_6x_macca_rdr ) P.when('A').execute(function(A) { A.on('a:expander:toggle_description:toggle:collapse', function(data) { window.scroll(0, data.expander.$expander[0].offsetTop-100); }); }); Review ------ After the laboured Driving Rain, a welcome return of that definitive, love-it-or-hate-it McCartney effortlessness. [Oct 2005, p.98] -- MOJO Chaos and Creation in the Backyard is the freshest-sounding McCartney album in years. -- Rolling Stone McCartney continues to surprise, opening this set with four of his best songs in ages. [17 Sep 2005] -- Billboard This is the McCartney in the vein of his 1970 solo debut or "London Town," and the comfort allowed him to be as unguarded as he's ever been. [4 Sep 2005] -- Los Angeles Times See more ( javascript:void(0) )