Download "A Fine Line"

[An Apple Beatle]

Hmmmmmm On very first listen.

Not offensive...bit lyrically and melodically weak...instrumental sections were nice...some nice Beatle chord changes...I still wished he'd go more Beatle with it. So frustrating!!!(Vocals, strings etc.) I look forward to hearing what else he can conjure up.

[tkitna]

I still havent heard it. I cant download it at work and its hopeless at home with the old dial up buffering for a day and a half. I guess i'll have to wait and see. The general consensus so far is that its an average Paul tune in which I usually enjoy, so i'm kind of anxious.

TMOGF's view on 'A Fine Line'.

After having a few days for it to sink in I have come to a verdict on the new song: It's really quite good. Very Macca, especially the guitar/piano at the opening. Does sound vaguely similar to the piano break in Flaming Pie but thats no problem. Can't wait to hear a better quality version to truely appreciate it.

C'mon brother, all is forgiven, we all cried when you were taken away....

Two songs on the album are dedicated to Linda and one to John (reportedly). Love her or hate her, Heather has got to be struggling with Linda's 'presence'.

[adamzero]

The song reminds me of Squeeze without the witty lines.   I can also hear the Red Rose Speedway comparison.  

Why don't Paul collaborate with somebody on lyrics?!  (And not Elvis Costello).  

This is catchy but just kind of sits there grinning at you.  What am I supposed to take away from this?

Certainly not the philosophy of indeterminacy.  

[tkitna]

Why don't Paul collaborate with somebody on lyrics?!

[An Apple Beatle]

Paul needs a lyrical oppo. lol... How about Roger Waters? That might bring some balance. A bit of light and dark. lol...I don't mean it, just throwing wood to the fire. hehehehe

[Bobber]

I guess I'm one of the few that really like "Flowers In The Dirt", but 'You Want Her Too' with Mr. McManus is pretty excruciating, and Hamish Stuart's vocals were horrible on "Tripping...".

[adamzero]

It was a shame that Elvis and Paul didn't come together for something really classic.  I like both of them so much, but it just didn't happen.  Elvis did a better job with Burt Bachrach, but even that album sounds kinda like an exercise now.

I hear you, tkitna, but maybe Superman does need an Aquaman now and then.  (Couldn't Aquaman get the whales and giant squids to do his bidding?)  I guess that's what I find most disturbing about Paul.  How can you go from writing "Eleanor Rigby" and "Penny Lane" and "Blackbird" to writing this stuff nowadays.  

It's like he forgot creative writing 101.  Use images!  Go in fear of abstractions.  If he'd quit trying to write Michael Jackson style message songs and just write a bunch of songs full of images and odd scouse references (finger-pie, etc.) he'd do a million times better.

I don't know.  I just don't know.  

[tkitna]

I think he concentrates on the music first and the lyrics secondly. I'm the same way. As long as the music is good, I really dont care whats being said in the song.

[tkitna]

I guess I'm one of the few that really like "Flowers In The Dirt", but 'You Want Her Too' with Mr. McManus is pretty excruciating, and Hamish Stuart's vocals were horrible on "Tripping...".

Count me as one of the few also. I like 'FITD' a lot, but its a 'music listening cd' and not one you throw on during the party.

Hamish is vocally challenged.

It's like he forgot creative writing 101.

[Mairi]

Go easy there jr, he was just voicing his opinion. You're allowed to disagree but don't bring insults into it.

[adamzero]

Sorry for the rubber leg thing, JR.  I just heard the impish voice of a young John Lennon in my head saying something non-PC like that.  

Sorry if I came off pompous--didn't intend that.  By criticizing Paul, I would not say that I'm better than he is as a songwriter or musician.  If that were the case nobody on this board could criticize anything he's ever written.  Because no one here (at least I think) is his equal in that capacity.  Unless Dylan or Neil Young or Brian Wilson or a couple other folks are lurking out there.  

But I don't think the fact that Paul's been prolific is a defense for lyrical sloppiness.  Or being lyrically boring.  That was the point of my rubber leg jab.  It hits you in the face. It's not afraid to insult you.  It isn't just "music."  

My point is that Paul has gone from a very high level of lyrical prowess to his current "place."  

I maintain my major point.  The lyrics don't seem "vital" the way his lyrics did in the 60s.  Neil Young's still writing vital lyrics--so is Dylan.  If Paul wants to be on their level he's going to have to do better than "A Fine Line."

Is this the man's accumulated wisdom of however many years?  

JR, I don't say this to be combative or insulting to you.  Just to converse.  I always value your input.  I hope you accept my apology as well as anyone else who might have been offended.