McCartney II (1980)
Big Exhale.
Sorry everyone… but this album is not it…
Paul McCartney returns after a decade-long stint with Wings, making iconic records one right after the other, to give us the underwhelming McCartney II. I’m not sure whether there was label pressure pushing Paul to make “hip” music, or whether Paul himself felt he’d proven enough and just wanted to explore something different. Either way, the outcome was disappointing. I love that McCartney always wants to experiment and scratch that creative itch in his brain, but at some point, that approach was bound to produce a weak result.
McCartney II begins with Coming Up, which ends up being the highlight of the record. The song is tonally and stylistically different from anything Paul had done up to this point. It’s a classic 80s-styled synthy, funky, poppy radio hit. The quirky, upbeat rhythm immediately catches your attention, and the infectious bassline gives it a groove that’s hard to resist. The synths and electronic elements blend seamlessly, creating a fresh sound that feels ahead of its time. Paul’s playful vocals add a layer of charm that makes the track undeniably catchy. Coming Up proves McCartney’s willingness to adapt and innovate, bringing a fresh energy that contrasts sharply with the rest of the album. Its vibrant production and memorable hooks set high expectations for what follows. Unfortunately, McCartney II can’t hold that momentum.
After the hit single, it goes downhill fast. The robotic, repetitive Temporary Secretary is… not great. I don’t like having to admit that it’s a bit annoying, and that it plays like a bad AI-generated attempt at a song, but I have to say it. Many a time have people personally come up to me and question my disdain for Temporary Secretary, and it truly baffles me. Is it not so obvious? Alas, quite a lot of people get off on this track, and I will never understand it.
On the Way offers a slight glimmer of hope for McCartney II. The vocals are thrown through an insane amount of reverb and come off kind of generic. It isn’t a bad song to have on in the background of any listening setting or social gathering, but it really doesn’t do much.
From this point forward, McCartney II is filled with nothing but unmemorable tracks, flooded with bland, unseasoned melodies. I find myself wondering where that trademark Paul McCartney magic went. Where is his signature touch? Where is the guy who, for almost 20 years, was creating some of the greatest music ever made? The lack of excitement and the lack of standouts really hurt this record. It isn’t until the predominantly instrumental Blue Sway that some admirable energy and funk finally come back into play. It doesn’t hold up against previous Paul songs, but on this record… man, it really sticks out.
When tracing an artist’s progression, I think it’s important to take an album, or music in general, for what it is rather than what it isn’t, to review what’s been put in front of you rather than constantly comparing it to the past. That said, I feel my opinion would be the same even if I’d never heard a note from The Beatles or Wings. McCartney II would still be remembered, by me, as an unseasoned, bland, underwhelming 1980s pop album that I will gleefully never revisit.
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Highlight Songs:
Coming Up
On the Way
Blue Sway
One of These Days
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Own it, Stream it, Forget about it?
Unless your goal is to collect every LP Paul McCartney ever put out, I’d skip owning this one. A song or two here and there might be worth streaming and adding to your library, but the record as a whole wouldn’t get much playing time. I don’t own this album, though I do like the cover and its iconography, and I think it’d be a fine-looking record to display. Even so, I don’t know if I can justify spending real money on it. Maybe if I came across a great deal, but until then, this one probably won’t make it into my collection.
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Overall Rating:
1.5 Stars
