It's a fine line

I got the new Paul McCartney album today. It's called Chaos and Creation in the Back Yard and I'm finding the whole thing as mysterious as the title.

I was ready to give up on McCartney. He started dying his hair to an unnaturally dark color and I really think his voice isn't what it used to be. A string of boring albums didn't help either.

No, despite what Rolling Stone tells you, Chaos and Creation isn't a masterpiece. It's just an o.k. album, but for McCartney that's a giant step. It's also a testament to the importance of a good producer. Just as bad production can bury a good album (see Coldplay's X&Y) a good producer can make sure the best parts of a mediocre album shine brightest. That's what Nigel Godrich has done for Paul McCartney.

Godrich does his best to bring out the strong melodies that McCartney fans know and love while keeping the sappiness to a minimum. He does it well enough that when the album's over you're mostly left with good memories. I could do without the boring instrumental "hidden track" but maybe it has some sort of special brainwashing power because I really think I liked this album. It's definitely something I might listen to again out more than just a sense of duty.

Favorite Song of the Week:
"The Skin Of My Yellow Country Teeth" by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - The Clap Your Hands album was on constant rotation in my car this week. I must have listened to it ten times in a row and each time I discovered something new. This song has a shout out to West Virginia which is something you learn to admire in this part of the country.