Paul McCartney

Memory Almost Full

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Nicole Kai (CHARTattack)

06/19/2007 7:43pm

"The Cute One" just hit retirement age, and he's not trying to fool anyone, at least not in the songwriting department. While the tracks on his latest solo record are made with the same undiluted classic pop concentrate that fuelled The Beatles and Wings, McCartney's marketing strategies are trying to harness a new mercurial demographic. The record was released on Starbucks' music label, the single "Dance Tonight" premiered on YouTube and the first album-related interview was granted to Pitchfork. But McCartney understands that while he can afford the calculated risk of dropping EMI for a trendy coffee chain, his methodology doesn't need tampering. The album approaches decidedly mature subjects such as death and regret with his signature pinch of nostalgic whimsy and hopefulness on defining tracks "Ever Present Past" and "The End Of The End," while timeless themes of love and ebullience permeate the rest of the disc. "Mr. Bellamy" is a simple yet brilliant standout that confirms Memory Almost Full as an album of effortless cool, while aggressive closer "Nod Your Head" reminds us that while Sir Paul may be a living legend, he ain't done rocking yet.