Back To The Egg (1979)

Back To The Egg (1979)

1. Reception
A strange concept album. This is bizarre.
Rating: 2/10

2. Getting Closer
This song gets points for the amphibious use of Salamander. Any songwriter that can work this into a song deserves much praise. I feel the same way when someone uses the word "fraught" in a sentence. Despite this, the song is a good little rocker.
Rating: 7/10

3. We're Open Tonight
I had the original LP version of this album, complete with the "sunny side up" and "over easy" titles. I thought the "concept" of the album might have been eggs. Or at least eggs served in a diner that's "open tonight". Hence the title of this song.
Rating: 5.5/10

4. Spin It On
In an attempt to declare his rocker status after some lightweight pop songs, Macca does it reasonably well here. Interesting song.
Rating: 6.5/10

5. Again And Again And Again
Denny's cut has lamer lyrics than "Spirits Of Ancient Egypt" ("you can take a pound of love and put it in a stew"). Still, it rocks along.
Rating: 6.5/10

6. Old Siam, Sir
Macca strains the vocals Jimmy Barnes style. Doesn't help.
Rating: 7/10

7. Arrow Through Me
Finally, a half decent number. This album used to be one of my favourites as a kid. Not sure how well it's holding up over the years. This works though.
Rating: 8/10

8. Rockestra Theme
McCartney summons an all star cast to pose the question "now, why haven't I had any dinner?" The question remains throughout the song, finishing with the much loved declaration of "no, no, no, no, no" etc.
Rating: 5/10

9. To You
Good track that reminds people about revenge. I think.
Rating: 5.5/10

10. After The Ball/Million Miles
McCartney softens up, as he usually does towards the end of an album. This medley drawls along, struggling to find an ending.
Rating: 4.5/10

11. Winter Rose/Love Awake
The next medley continues on from where the last one left off. It picks up a bit when "Love Awake" begins.
Rating: 5.5/10

12. The Broadcast
Macca remembers he was making a concept album of sorts. Thanks to CD technology, this waste of precious seconds can be programmed out.
Rating: 1/10

13. So Glad To See You Here
The all stars return for another over produced, messy sounding track.
Rating: 6/10

14. Baby's Request
It wouldn't be a McCartney album without the token quirky song. This is OK.
Rating: 6.5/10

Overall Rating: 75.5/140 Percentage: 53.9 (Bare Pass)
Best Song: Arrow Through Me
Worst Song: (Not including "concept" tracks) After The Ball/Million Miles

London Town (1978)

London Town (1978)

1. London Town
London Town could easily have been the greatest album ever recorded. By anyone. Forget Sgt. Pepper's, forget Blonde On Blonde, forget Exile On Main Street, forget, Horses -- I actually though Patti Smith's Horses was effete crap anyway -- this is the album. All they had to do was include "Mull Of Kintyre" and "Waterspout". And exclude the two worst songs reviewed here.

The album opens with this nice song, "London Town".
Rating: 8/10

2. Café On The Left Bank
A terrific song. Just terrific.
Rating: 8/10

3. I'm Carrying
This is very nice too.
Rating: 8/10

4. Backwards Traveller
There's just something about the sound of this album. I love this, and I love...
Rating: 8/10

5. Cuff Link
... this. Great use of the music machine thingo. Sounds good.
Rating: 7.5/10

6. Children Children
Very nice song. Why isn't this album given more respect?
Rating: 8/10

7. Girlfriend
Might have something to do with this. It's OK though.
Rating: 7/10

8. I've Had Enough
The song that ends Side One, allows you flip the record early. Not a great single.
Rating: 6.5/10

9. With A Little Luck
Now you're talking. This is right up there. Avoid the single version.
Rating: 9/10

10. Famous Groupies
Just love it when Macca does the cockney accent.
Rating: 7.5/10

11. Deliver Your Children
Our Denny takes centre stage for this number, making it a worthwhile addition to the album. Great acoustic work.
Rating: 8/10

12. Name And Address
Usually Macca's albums start heading south towards the end. Name and Address keeps the album flowing. Gutsy track.
Rating: 7/10

13. Don't Let It Bring You Down
One of the most underrated songs in the Macca songbook.
Rating: 7.5/10

14. Morse Moose And The Grey Goose
OK, now what's not to love about this song. Probably the best closer to a McCartney album so far, Morse Moose doesn't disappoint.
Rating: 8/10

This album is a complete joy.

Overall Rating: 108/140 Percentage: 77.14 (Distinction)
For what it's worth: With Mull of Kintyre (9.5/10) and Waterspout (9/10) 126/160 (78.75) Maybe not Sgt Peppers, but right up there nonetheless.... 

Best Song: With A Little Luck
Worst Song: I've Had Enough

Wings At The Speed Of Sound (1976)

Wings At The Speed Of Sound (1976)

1. Let 'Em In
This simple song is totally irresistible. McCartney at his finest.
Rating: 8.5/10

2. The Note That You Never Wrote
Why does this album sound like there's too much bass and not enough treble? Even the remastered versions and original vinyl copies sound like an old cassette being played on a machine with misaligned heads. The song's good, for sure, but Denny's vocals are feeble.
Rating: 6/10

3. She's My Baby
I can never get past the whole "gravy" thing.

Like gravy, down to the last drop,
I keep mopping it up, mopping it up,
She's my baby.

An otherwise sweet song, I'll never get past the visual element of someone just finishing a lovely roast lamb dinner, reaching out for a slice of lightly buttered Wonderloaf, folding it in half and going to town on the gravy run-off. Nevertheless, it still gets a reasonable rating.
Rating: 6/10

4. Beware My Love
One of the best on the album. Easily.
Rating: 8.5/10

5. Wino Junko
The sequel to little Jimmy's other drug song Medicine Jar, this is actually another great song. Very dated sounding now (definitely lives in the 70s this number), but still one I always crank the volume to.
Rating: 8/10

6. Silly Love Songs
Opinions have always been divided with this song. Some say it's one of the best, some can't stand it. I'm leaning towards the latter. I read somewhere it was a disco song. Doesn't sound like many people would have stood up to shake their John Travolta's  to it, but each to their own. The remake on Broad Street is preferable.
Rating: 7/10

7. Cook Of The House
Dear me. Denny's had a turn. Jimmy's had a turn. Joe's coming up, and now Linda. No room on the album for the sound engineer? This song's a B-side for a reason. Should have stayed there.
Rating: 5/10

8. Time To Hide
One of Denny's best.
Rating: 7.5/10

9. Must Do Something About It
Hello Joe. I always loved this song. I recently heard the McCartney vocal version (now on the 2014 Deluxe version *), and I'm glad they kept it for Joe. He puts something into it that Macca lacks. The McCartney version sounds lazy.

* Yes, yet another remaster. Means we have to buy it again just for the bonus tracks. Strangely enough, some of the songs still sound like they come from a worn out cassette).
Rating: 8/10

10. San Ferry Anne
Filler song but very nice
Rating: 7/10

11. Warm And Beautiful
Adequate. Nothing more, nothing less.
Rating: 5.5/10

Overall Rating: 77/110 Percentage: 70% (Distinction)
Best Song: Let 'Em In & Beware My Love (tie). 
Worst Song: Cook Of The House

Venus And Mars (1975)

Venus And Mars (1975)

1. Venus And Mars

Continuing on from the success of Band On The Run, this album opens with a "semi" medley - one that also opens the great Wings Over America album (amazing live). This album has balls for the most part and shares the load amongst the other band members. Sounding like the opening to a Spinal Tap gig, this works as a send up of the traditional British band type of "rock show". Did they trash the hotel room afterwards?

Rating: 8/10

2. Rock Show

Just love this. McCartney at his rockiest. Much better than the single version that fades out before the piano ending. Never listen to the single version.

Rating: 9/10

3. Love In Song

The only problem I have with this album, is probably that I would have arranged the songs differently on the album. After rock show, keep it rockin'! "Medicine Jar" could have been next here. This song works well though.

Rating: 8/10

4. You Gave Me The Answer

I like hearing Macca do stuff like this. Where's Fred and Ginger?

Rating: 8/10

5. Magneto And Titanium Man

A couple of comic book heroes. Rocks along nicely. I try to tune out the "woar-da-doot, woar-da-doot, woar-da-doo doo" bits.

Rating: 8.5/10

6. Letting Go

An odd choice for a single, I would have thought. It's OK, for sure, but the album has much better.

Rating: 6.5/10

7. Venus And Mars (Reprise)

Longer than the first one, the reprise opens side two and leads in well to the next track.

Rating: 7/10

8. Spirits Of Ancient Egypt

Denny Laine's vocals. He was a good guitarist, our Denny.

Rating: 7.5/10

9. Medicine Jar

A good rocker with little Jimmy providing the vocals. Not bad at all. There was something about doing a naughty "drug song" in the 70's. Heroic I think.

Rating: 8/10

10. Call Me Back Again

I never used to like this song, but hearing it again recently changes my opinion. Strangely included on the Wingspan CD, the song reasonably good.

Rating: 7/10

11. Listen To What The Man Said

Different again from the single version (no fade out), the song begins with Paul warbling something like: "alright, Ok, good, great to see you down at New Orleans man, yeah yeah".

Easily the best song on the album.

Rating: 9.5/10

12. Treat Her Gently/Lonely Old People

Paul winds down the album with this sweet track.

Rating: 7/10

13. Crossroads Theme

Interesting choice of inclusion. Having said that, it finishes off the album well. Maybe that's why?

Rating: 6/10

For what it's worth, I truly believe the album would have been aided by a different track order. This is how it should have gone:

Side One

1. Venus and Mars

2. Rock Show

3. Medicine Jar

4. Magneto and Titanium Man

5. Call Me Back Again

6. Letting Go

Side Two

1. Venus and Mars (reprise)

2. Spirits of Ancient Egypt

3. Love In Song

4. You Gave Me The Answer

5. Listen To What The Man Said

6. Treat Her Gently/Lonely Old People

7. Crossroads Theme

Overall Rating: 100/130 Percentage: 76.9% (Distinction)

Best Song: Listen To What The Man Said

Worst Song: Crossroads Theme

Band On The Run (1973)

Band On The Run (1973)

1. Band On The Run

The signature title from the album of the same name, this song sounds a bit dated now, but is still a Wings classic.

Rating: 9/10

2. Jet
A powerful opening to the best post-Beatles album to this point. Although the lyrics are a bit unusual, "Jet" rocks along very well providing a blistering opening to a great album. With Denny S and Henry leaving after Red Rose Speedway, McCartney and Laine (and Linda of course) attempt to make the best album they could with just the three of them. This album also shows how good a drummer, and how multi-talented McCartney can be.

For more information on the making of Band On The Run, I suggest you look online or watch Wingspan.

Rating: 9/10

3. Bluebird

Simply delightful song.

Rating: 8.5/10

4. Mrs. Vandebilt

Paul's drumming on this is superb. This is one that I like to play as a "cheer up" song. It never fails to make you happy.

Rating: 8.5/10

5. Let Me Roll It

A lot of fans like this one, McCartney too. The riff is good, but can get repetitive.

Rating: 7/10

6. Mamunia

Accompanied by a really good animated short, this song opens side two (for those listening on vinyl or cassette) and makes a nice impression.

Rating: 8/10

7. No Words

Co-written by Denny (first dual credit), this is a powerful tune.

Rating: 8/10

8. Picasso's Last Words (Drink To Me)

Legend has it that Paul wrote this quickly after a Dustin Hoffman challenge. Although it does sound made up on the spot, it still works. This is where the "concept" of the album comes into place -- incorporating "Jet" and "Mrs Vandebilt". Just great.

Rating: 8/10

9. Nineteen Hundred And Eighty-Five

Can't describe how much I enjoy this song. Terrific piano and a closer of "Band On The Run".

Rating: 8.5/10

10. Helen Wheels (U.S. Release)

No reason why this wasn't on the album really. Simple, but effective. On some releases it was lodged between "No Words" and "Picasso's Last Words".

Rating: 8.5/10

Overall Rating 83/100 Percentage: 83% (High Distinction)

Best Song: Jet & Band On The Run (tie)

Worst Song: Let Me Roll It

Red Rose Speedway (1973)

Red Rose Speedway (1973)


This album would have been helped by "Live and Let Die" and "Mama's Little Girl". Originally supposed to be a double album. The addition of Paul McCartney's name to the band's title probably wasn't necessary.

1. Big Barn Bed
Nice opener to the album. Wings is now officially a group. A big step forward.
Rating: 7/10

2. My Love
A big step back. Ok, this song is quite good. Henry's guitar solo is impeccable. Just never been comfortable with the "woah-wo-woah-woah's".
Rating: 6.5/10

3. Get On The Right Thing
Good song. The band is really coming together now.
Rating: 7.5/10

4. One More Kiss
Very melodic rock song.
Rating: 7.5/10

5. Little Lamb Dragonfly
This is good. Bit lengthy though.
Rating: 6.5/10

6. Single Pigeon
Good song that sounds like it could have been on the Ram LP.
Rating: 6.5/10

7. When The Night
Sweet.
Rating: 7/10

8. Loup (1st Indian On The Moon)
A bizarre instrumental full of "Indian" clichés.
Rating: 7/10

9. Medley: Hold Me Tight/Lazy Dynamite/Hands Of Love/Power Cut
The annoying repetativeness of "Hold Me Tight" can also get dreary. "Lazy Dynamite" is OK. "Hands Of Love" is a silly love song, and "Power Cut" doesn't make sense at all.
Rating: 6/10

Overall Rating: 61.5/90 Percentage: 68% (Credit)
Best Song: Get On The Right Thing/One More Kiss (tie)
Worst Song: Medley: Hold Me Tight/Lazy Dynamite/Hands Of Love/Power Cut.

Wild Life (1971)

Wild Life (1971)

1. Mumbo
Quite often we ruminate over the fine albums over the years; from the classic, polished lyrics of Dylan, the incredible vocal talents of Nilsson, to the stunning musical genius of Bjorn/Benny, Elton, King and Goffin.

And then there's this.

Wing's first album starts off with a song aptly titled "Mumbo". It rocks along, surely enough, complete with nonsense lyrics that is a whole lot of "mumbo".
Rating: 6/10

2. Bip Bop
There's a lot of criticism directed at "Bip Bop". Just take it as it is.
Rating: 5/10

3. Love Is Strange
Good one. Nothing earth shattering on this cover.
Rating: 5.5/10

4. Wild Life
Probably the best on the album, "Wild Life" is one of the more forgotten McCartney tracks.
Rating: 7/10

5. Some People Never Know
Ok track. Nice melody.
Rating: 6/10

6. I Am Your Singer
I've always been a fan of Linda's. I like her vocals here. Cute song.
Rating: 6/10

7. Bip Bop (Link)
Short and sweet. Interesting
Rating: 4/10

8. Tomorrow
I hope the weather man is feeling fine and doesn't spoil his plans to write more insightful lyrics on his next album. Perhaps he could bring a bag of bread and cheese and find a spot beneath the (hang on, what rhymes with "cheese"? Oh yeah...) trees... and yes, write something more profound. Catchy tune though.
Rating: 6/10

9. Dear Friend
Dear Lennon, really truly, young and newly. Is this really the borderline?
Rating: 4/10

10. Mumbo Link
No, it doesn't get much better without the lyrics.
Rating: 4/10

Best Song: Wild Life
Worst Song: Bip Bop (Link), Dear Friend and Mumbo Link (tie)

Overall Rating: 53.5/100 Percentage: 53.5% (Bare Pass)