It seems to me, with a few exceptions, Macca will find a 'formula' that works, that fans like, and he will make albums in that vein and each one is slightly less gratifying than the last...until he's jolted into a change of direction by some force or event. He may just want to take a different approach for all I know. After "Band" we got "Venus", "SOS" and "Londontown"...each vaguely similar in many ways, but mostly lesser albums. After "Tug" we got "Pipes" and "Give My Regards". After "Flowers" we got "Off" and "Flaming Pie"....becomes a pattern for the lad.
There are always transitional albums in there, of course, and what I said IS a sweeping generalisation...
To my ears, "Pie" is a good bit better than "Off"...but is cut from the same comfy cloth, although this one feels more personal. That's mostly because he plays so many of the instruments himself...personal faves on "Pie" would include: The Song We Were Singing, Somedays, Calico Skies, Flaming Pie, Souvenir, Little Willow and the wonderful Beautiful Night. And not that all the rest are awful, but these are on a par with album tracks on Paulie's other fine work.
