Driving Rain by Paul McCartney
In The Top Tier
Paul McCartneys ability to rise to a challenge has been one of the least
appreciated aspects of his artistically speckled post-Beatles career. Having
exorcized a few personal demons and historic rock & roll ghosts on his
previous, mostly obscure covers collection, Run, Devil Run, this marks
Macs first full album of new songs since the passing of his wife, Linda.
Gratifyingly, its also by turns mature, musically restless, and personally
reflective--and ultimately an album that stands alongside Tug of War and
Flowers in the Dirt as one of his best solo efforts. Informed by David
Kahnes warmly low-key yet gritty production and McCartneys still
formidable pipes, there are few traces of the candy-ass pop and precious
sentiment that have long vexed fans and detractors alike. Even the jaunty
title track (with its 1-2-3-4-5 chorus recalling the Fabs All Together Now)
seems infused with a welcome edge. Theres a renewed sense of
emotional connection throughout, reflected in efforts that seem to address
his own personal tragedy (the unsettled Lonely Road, melancholy From a
Lover to a Friend, and plaintive I Do). And then theres the quietly haunting
Shes Given Up Talking and the bluesy irony of Back in the Sunshine
Again and Rinse the Raindrops. It all revolves around a bittersweet, hard-
won sense of hope; the bright, neoclassical Heather pays tribute to his
new love with an elegant, Abbey Road-worthy instrumental prologue that
builds to a single brief verse of playfully heartfelt prose. That track and the
seductive Eastern motifs of Riding into Jaipur (with its even more succinct
verbiage) also underscore a feeling that Macs best musical instincts and
artistic curiosity are far from dormant. The CD includes the bonus live
track Freedom, his simple anthem to the events of September 11, 2001,
and their historic aftermath. The man who once sang All You Need Is
Love is now ready to fight for the right to freedom; the times have indeed
been a- changin. --Jerry McCulley
For me, Driving Rain ranks in the top 5 or 6 albums of Paul McCartney's
solo career, right up there with the likes of Tug of War, Pipes of Peace,
Band on The Run and the experimental McCartney II. The opening track
Lonely Road is a classic McCartney 'screamer" in the tradition of I'm Down
and I've Got a Feeling. From a Lover to a Friend and Your Loving Flame
are two exceptional ballads and have stood up well over time, and the
surreal music video to Your Loving Flame is one the very best that Paul
has made. Tiny Bubble is a great little album track that is enhanced by
some nice work on the Hammond Organ (sounds like Steve Winwood!).
The mostly instrumental song Heather demonstrates that McCartney's
ability to craft strong melodies remains intact. I Do, Driving Rain and the
bluesy Back In The Sunshine Again are standouts also, and even the
quirky, off beat numbers like Spinning on an Axis and She's Given Up
Talking really grow on you. Even if you're not a completist, this is one of
the McCartney albums that deserves to be in your collection.
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