It's been a rocky decade for Paul McCartney. First, losing his wife of thirty-six years to cancer back in 1998, then finding love again with one-legged model Heather Mills and the constant media speculation and gossip column rumours that their relationship bred; it's little wonder that his last offering, 2005's Chaos and Creation in the Back Yard, was something of a downbeat and reflective exposition. Since that album's release, however, McCartney has seen surely some of his darkest hours, with the much-publicised and very messy split with Mills ensuring that his private life got more attention that his music did. Despite that, Memory Almost Full is actually less intense that its predecessor, and surprisingly contains love songs written before his split with Mills, which he latterly refused to omit. Musically, this is an album that falls between two stools. On one hand, when a new band is obviously influenced by The Beatles, they're usually acclaimed. On the other, when a former Beatle himself stays true to his familiar course, it is a case of attempting to recapture former glories? McCartney doesn't just draw from his Fab Four period here, though; there are strong elements of Wings, too (Mr. Bellamy, Feet In the Clouds) and even Led Zeppelin get a look in (the almost Kashmir-esque opener Nod Your Head and the smokin' Only Mama Knows). The Mills-inspired songs are actually quite lovely; See Your Sunshine is an easygoing, summery pop tune straight out of the '70s, and is awash with the gorgeous, and practically omnipresent choir of pitch-perfect harmonies; but whereas Gratitude starts off well with similar harmonies, piano riff and warm bass hum, it soon verges on irritatingly repetitive: 'I'm so grateful for everything you've ever given me' x 100000. (We get it). Memory Almost Full as a whole is true to that analogy - at times delightful, at others inadequate (especially McCartney's sub-standard lyrical content), and the fact that this is the inaugural release on the new Starbucks label with (rightfully) put a lot of people off hearing it. But, if you're willing to overlook the Beatle's ethical deficiencies, this will provide an accompaniment to your overpriced super-skinny-double-mocha-frappa-berry-chino-with-whipped-cream, very nicely.
