Music review: Paul McCartney – ‘Egypt Station’
When you were a part of perhaps the greatest band of all time and recognized as one of most successful musician/composers in pop music history, expectations are always high when you release new music.
With 55 years in the business of making memorable albums as a Beatle, leader of Wings and a solo artist, Paul McCartney continues to create music that moves and inspires. On his latest offering, “Egypt Station,” the 76-year-old McCartney delivers 16 new arrangements that possess a sentimental and creative flair heard earlier on tracks written at the beginning of his solo career.
While listening to the new material, you’ll hear hints of the Beatles, classic elements from Wings and vintage solo McCartney.
All of this variety makes for a gratifying listening experience. McCartney is still in fine voice and plays a majority of the instruments on the album. As a result, McCartney delivers one of his best solo efforts.
“Opening Station” begins the musical journey as a graceful instrumental introduction that sets the stage for the upcoming destinations along the way.
“I Don’t Know” quickly follows with a melancholy touch as McCartney tenderly describes feelings of self-doubt and fear of failure. ItĢƵ one of his best tracks in years.
McCartney once sang, “You’d think that people would have had enough of silly love songs/I look around me and I see it isn’t so/Some people want to fill the world with silly love songs/And whatĢƵ wrong with that/I’d like to know.”
“Come On to Me” is a new McCartney love song that contains a more direct approach as McCartney sings, “I saw you flash a smile, that seemed to me to say/You wanted so much more than casual conversation/I swear I caught a look before you turned away/Now I don’t see the point resisting your temptation.”
“Hand In Hand” is yet another love song that is anything but silly as McCartney sounds vulnerable and sincere announcing, “Wanna give you my heart/Wanna tell you my story.”
“Happy with You” finds McCartney reminiscing about his younger days declaring, “I sat around all day/I used to get stoned/I liked to get wasted/But these days I don’t.”
In 1969, John Lennon delivered the powerful protest number “Give Peace a Chance.” Here we are in 2018 and McCartney is still echoing LennonĢƵ sentiments on “People Want Peace” by singing, “The message is simple, itĢƵ straight from my heart/And I know that you’ve heard it before/But what does it matter, we’re in it together/And I’m not quitting while people are crying for more.”
McCartney gets political on “Despite Repeated Warnings” and cranks it up a notch on the rockers “Who Cares” and “Hunt You Down/Naked/C-Link.”
Lyrics from “Dominoes” aptly describe the new album with the music legend singing, “In time we’ll know, itĢƵ all a show/ItĢƵ been a blast.”
Soak this one in and enjoy.
Clint Rhodes is the ĢƵ music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.

