McCartney III
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CRITIC REVIEWS
100
He has created an album that, given the chance, will force listeners to take a moment and appreciate the fact that one is listening to the music of a genius.
2mo
90
When he allows himself to forget who he is and just remember what it is that he does, he can still come up with songs to surprise you. More impressively, maybe even surprise himself.
3mo
90
It is with McCartney III that one of the world's most celebrated songwriters has completed his trifecta of ultimate solo albums, proving yet again his legacy as a musical virtuoso.
2mo
80
McCartney III works best when he leans all the way into the solo acoustic concept.
3mo
80
Just like McCartneys I and II, III is a confounding cocktail of genius and misfires.
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3mo
80
Returning to the critic-confounding solo home recordings of his McCartney series, this album is – some oddities and filler aside – affectingly personal and hugely enjoyable
2mo
80
The third album in the ex-Beatle’s solo series is a fantastical, if occasionally cheesy, set of light-hearted pop ideas.
2mo
80
Despite these signs of age, McCartney III isn't an album about mortality, it's about finding sustenance in rough times.
2mo
80
Ideas are left to play out, as if recording music’s tumble through McCartney’s mind, its elements caught and refined on the fly. Instinct and emotion are near the surface.
2mo
80
It’s almost rude, approaching eighty, that McCartney has the ability to craft an addition to his back catalogue that’s not only worthy of some of the highest points that have come before it, but one that actively enhances the story.
2mo
80
Like the rest of us (OK – not quite like the rest of us), Macca's been whiling away the hours. The result? A stellar return to his three-decade-spanning series
2mo
80
With McCartney III, all the icon's beloved songwriting quirks are out in full force. A more than worthy third prong of the trilogy.
2mo
80
Weird, wonderful and whimsical, McCartney III finds the walrus on inspirational form.
2mo
80
While its two predecessors reflected dramatic shifts in his musical life – coming at the end of the career of The Beatles and Wings respectively – III is the sound of a less restless McCartney simply doing what he does best.
2mo
80
An exuberant and heartening spin of the songwriting wheel, a carefree and not overthought documentation of how creativity can be harnessed and fledgling ideas brought to realisation.
2mo
80
McCartney III is another stark reminder that we are blessed to have Paul McCartney, now 78. His trademark warmth and charisma have the artistic drive and hutzpah to be as prolific as ever.
2mo
80
75
McCartney III will likely go down as one more intriguing artifact from this deeply strange year: an above-average quarantine album from one of the highest-profile artists yet to share their lockdown material.
2mo
75
If it is indeed a swan song, McCartney III will stand as a proper coda for the singer-songwriter we’ve been listening to for fifty-odd years: sentimental yet strong, a bit wistful, but as always, looking ahead.
3mo
75
The third effort in Paul McCartney's self-titled DIY trilogy is a straightforward, occasionally indulgent rock album about love, life, and future days.
2mo
75
It’s catchy, well-crafted, and creative, all while remaining honest. It may not be the groundbreaking production that McCartney has, at times, produced with valiance and majesty, but it just works.
1mo
73
McCartney sounds energetic, teasing through a variety of styles as a general reminder of his continuing songwriting strength.
1mo
73
As a whole, McCartney III is lean, lightweight and unpretentious. Where so many of his collaborators of the past forced a sound aesthetic on him, here he is free to allow the studio ambience and guitar tones to carry youthful quirks.
2mo
72
The third installment in McCartney’s home-recorded series is less adventurous and revelatory than its eponymous predecessors, but still contains moments of genuine wonder and weirdness.
2mo
70
That the songs on McCartney III resist ponderousness or sociopolitical intention is a feature, not a bug; Paul’s answer to a grim 2020 is to lose himself—and, with any luck, his listeners—in a spirit of whimsy.
2mo
60
Entirely self-produced at home during ‘rockdown’, the former Beatle’s latest offering possesses the same playful spirit as his 1970 solo debut.
2mo
50
Though it’s by no means essential, McCartney 3 will likely still win over legions of compulsive Macca collectors.
2mo
At the age of 78, the legendary Paul McCartney did not hide his ambition on his 3rd eponymous album, on the contrary it allowed him to create a captivating and particularly seductive work. McCartney III features a tempting and clear-sighted instrumentation backed up by striking writing that shows just how great a writer/composer Paul still is.
As a sign of destiny Paul McCartney is an album worked in isolation and solitude during a year 2020 that will be definitely marked by that, 50 years ... read more
As a sign of destiny Paul McCartney is an album worked in isolation and solitude during a year 2020 that will be definitely marked by that, 50 years ... read more
Paul McCartney is certainly one of the most successful, influential and long-lasting musicians of all time and he has simply shaped up music to be as it is nowadays, however, after a career that has endured well over half a century, it must be nearly impossible for him to compose a song that is thoroughly original, as it would be tough to come up with new subjects to cover or new instrumental patterns to introduce. As a result, we get "McCartney III", part of an eponymous series that ... read more
Don't mess with this mans bike.
You can tell Paul McCartney is a legend and veteran just from how this sounds, like, he combines a lot of interesting styles with strong rock ballads and pop tunes, even bringing back some blues influence for a few songs, and yea, it's charming as fuck. The story of making it is cool as well, this being accidentally created when he was just making a soundtrack. Man, i promised i'll check out more rock this year and so far, i guess it pays off. This ain't ... read more
You can tell Paul McCartney is a legend and veteran just from how this sounds, like, he combines a lot of interesting styles with strong rock ballads and pop tunes, even bringing back some blues influence for a few songs, and yea, it's charming as fuck. The story of making it is cool as well, this being accidentally created when he was just making a soundtrack. Man, i promised i'll check out more rock this year and so far, i guess it pays off. This ain't ... read more
Some random bar in Chicago or something, fuck you, 2002.
"Let's all applaud our next guest, the world famous shit posting, maniacal, involuntary celibate, Craig Waterfield!" the autistic, bi-racial cousin of Jim Carrey exclaims
Hello, ladies and gentlemen. Today I will be having a group orgy with all of you... But before I do that, I've written a few jokes in commemoration of the passing of our dear friend, Gerald Shi T'Faccé.
"Get on with the show, you knob headed ... read more
"Let's all applaud our next guest, the world famous shit posting, maniacal, involuntary celibate, Craig Waterfield!" the autistic, bi-racial cousin of Jim Carrey exclaims
Hello, ladies and gentlemen. Today I will be having a group orgy with all of you... But before I do that, I've written a few jokes in commemoration of the passing of our dear friend, Gerald Shi T'Faccé.
"Get on with the show, you knob headed ... read more
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Year End Lists
| #17 | / | Good Morning America |
| #40 | / | Rolling Stone |
Track List
- Long Tailed Winter Bird
- Find My Way
- Pretty Boys
- Woman and Wives
- Lavatory Lil
- Deep Deep Feeling
- Slidin'
- The Kiss of Venus
- Seize the Day
- Deep Down
- Winter Bird / When Winter Comes
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2mo
69 user score is nuts. Wtf are y'all listening to that is so much better than this? Fantastic record.
![Black Sabbath - Vol 4: [Super Deluxe Edition]](https://cdn2.albumoftheyear.org/200x/album/333546-vol-4-super-deluxe-edition.jpg)
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Added on: October 21, 2020