I suppose I should weigh in here by saying that I feel that this is Macca's best collection of songs since "Flowers In the Dirt", and possibly since "Band On the Run". There is a consistency of quality not found on many albums....period. Ask yourself this question: What albums can I play end to end, no skipped tracks. If you are completely honest, I feel you'll find it to be an extremely short list. And this album is not on it.
There are two tracks here that I skip virtually every time I spin this one: "Gratitude" and "Nod Your Head". To my ears, the former showcases a voice that may have sounded great on this track thirty, or even twenty years ago...it's not really bad, but it makes me want to reach through the stereo and touch Macca on the shoulder, and respectfully suggest he give this tune to the R-n-B shouter it deserves. "Nod Your Head"....gee....I understand that dissonance is an accepted musical device that is commonly used to create a 'tension' within a chord or musical passage...this tune is 1:58 seconds of just that: tension. He's just having a bit of a larf, I know, but my ears tell me it ain't funny.
There....got all the negative out! The rest of this CD is at best genius, at worst excellent...My favorite track varies with each listen! So many of these tracks have multiple layers of musical action happening that it is possible to listen many times and catch something you missed before. I'll also echo our esteemed friend Chris' comment about Macca's whistling solos....it feels like a "kiss my butt" to everyone who says he's not 'this' or 'that'. He's telling us, "This is exactly what I wanted here....I love it as it is, hope you do....if not, tough!"
The two tracks I keep returning to for repeat listenings are "Mr. Bellamy" and "House of Wax"...."Mr. Bellamy", with an angular piano line and a semi-cryptic lyric is orchestral, whimsical and dark by turns. Check out the way the electric guitar lead line 'meows' during the "don't frighten him" section...hilarious....he's not serious....or is he?
"House of Wax" is another ball of...er...wax. This song has created a sort of 'love' or 'hate' reaction amongst Paulie's fans....fans of wet, dark echo will love it. Macca belts a very oblique and poetic lyric, then looses some serious fretboard bombast during the song's two, count 'em, two solo sections. The first time I heard this track, I reached the end of it and realized I had forgotten to breathe...sounds a bit florid, but that's where this one takes me.
I would also like to make it a matter of public record that when I trip from this mortal coil, the song "The End of the End" must be played...I have been to that type of memorial and it was beautiful, painful and touching in all the right ways.