I am puzzled that so many Paul fans do NOT like this record...I know, I know, the production is so 80's...well, it WAS the 80's and Macca was coming off the critical drubbing he took for "Give My Regards To Broad Street". The general consensus among rock 'critics' was that Paul had to break out of the rut he'd fallen into, that working with George Martin was not pushing him hard enough to make interesting, modern and vital music. I don't know if Macca listens to these folks, but for this album, he brought in Hugh Padgham, who'd produced Genesis and a host of other successful acts. The resulting album was greeted with a fairly warm reception by these 'critics' at the time (Rolling Stone gave it 3 1/2 stars). Personally, I was put off by Padgham's production style, and judging by the posts I've read elsewhere, so were many of Paul's fans...I thought it sounded false and slick...I can handle slick, Macca's been doing that periodically for years. I put this one away shortly after release and did not re-visit it much. My ears have 'matured' somewhat in the ensuing years and I'm able to get past the Padgham Prints! There are quite a few good tunes on this album...side one is very strong...I think "Only Love Remains" would play very well live. Side two..."Press" is fun, but doesn't really sound like a Macca track, at least not to me, and so it was with "Pretty Little Head", which always reminds me of the Jean-Claude Van Damm movie "Bloodsport"...the backround music during one of the fights is a knock-off of this track. From there, every song appeals to my ears...some good rock, some psychedelia and the bonus tracks are a great...er....bonus. All in all, a much better album than I ever gave it credit for and proof that snap judgements are not always correct.
