Album Review 261: Paul McCartney - McCartney II

In today's video, we get excited for McCartney III by going back in time 40 years to his absolute classic McCartney II! What are your thoughts on this experimental record?

Instagram: giggens_

[jjjasonA]

this album really is criminally underrated and ive seen it outright hated often, ironically most of all by Paul McCartney fans lol this album is such an incredibly unique and raw experience. its really him just putting his artistic genius to the test and just seeing what he can do sound wise, how (many of) his fans cant at the absolute least appreciate it for that blows my mind

[posmuse]

There are some songs that just ALWAYS bring me to tears. Brian's "Lay Down Burden" is one.

"One Of These Days" is another. The yearning for a simpler time is so palpable and relatable. Definitely my favorite on an excellent album.

[AndyMangele]

I love this particular album a lot due to its quirky nature.

[murdockreviews]

So refreshing to see some love for this quirky, often bashed album.

[peterconlon]

Spot on review !...virtually agree on every point...every song.

[thebeachboysbasementwithst]

Nice video and great comments, Giggens! Just a hunch, but I've always been a little suspicious of McCartney saying that he just recorded it for himself and never intended to release it. There's an awful lot of work there for a "hobby" recording (even by McCartney's meticulous standards!) I think, maybe, he was trying to diminish expectations and not have people judge it too harshly. ("Hey, it was just for fun. I wasn't trying too hard.") Anyway, it's a record I love. Thanks for the review!

[kirkfabrin]

thanks giggens!
great review... this is an album I rarely listen to, but I will give it another whirl! getting hyped up for McCartney 3 !

[domvaia]

Loooove this one! Great review, check my machine blue sway and temporary secretary are some of my favs! Just picked up a copy of the coming up single for my jukebox haha

[MrJondinham]

For me it's his best album since BOTR. And it took till Chaos and Creation for him to do a better one. Great review

[andygaines]

When I played Temporary Secretary recently I really noticed how much it reminded me of early 10CC - particularly the Godley and Creme tracks. I didn't like the album when it came out, but, about 10 yeas later it clicked! Now that is a grower!

[michaelguccione]

I can't wait for McCartney III on December 11. This review makes me even more excited for the new release. Well done, as always, Giggens.

[cardboardheadguy]

Paul just release another ep called Love
Home Holiday Family Love. On next Friday December 11 without a Dought he going to releases single

[paulharvey]

Great review! I bought this on first release (on vinyl) and after his previous LP’s; Wings London Town and Back to the Egg, this sounded pretty rough (to my ears 😂). This LP was definitely ahead of its time and it became a real favourite. Great album, looking forward to McCartney 3! 👍🏻

[be]

Giggens, I've noticed you're a Weezer fan, too. I've always heard "Miss Sweeney" has having been directly influenced by "Temporary Secretary". Fun track!

As for McCartney II, I think "One Of These Days" is a classic Paul ballad. I also greatly enjoy "Coming Up", "Waterfalls", "On The Way", and "Nobody Knows". I'm not quite as high on the rest. Looking forward to McCartney III!

[milestrotter]

Hey Giggins! Love the review. I was wondering if you can review "Alive and well in Argentina" by Zal Yanovsky. Its faded into obscurity and its sort of a novelty album... but a review on it would be greatly appreciated.

[TomCwimpRock]

Yeah I love this album too.. I like it when Paul takes chances, wish he would have done it a little more often actually - I like “Electric Arguments” also... But “McCartney II” in my opinion, came along at the right time for me, because I thought that the music was getting a bit stale with “London Town” and “Back To The Egg”, (although they did have their moments)... I actually didn’t get “McCartney II” right away when it came out because the reviews were so scathing . -I remember reading one that had the headline, “Paul McCartney Hits A New Low.. .-Again” sheesh!

[seansheppard]

McCartney 2 is awesome! It's fun and experimental. The bonus tracks Check My Machine and Secret Friend are great too.

[chrisrainbow]

I remember John was reclusive at this time but would send out for every new chart single on a friday and just to keep up with what was happening would have one of his aids play them and offer an opinion .
So, John would sit in a chair and someone played these new records and he never knew who was playing until he asked and 9 times out of 10, he didnt want to know, but anyway, one of those new singled was Pauls " Coming UP " and John loved it and demanded a replay, something i understand he only did if he really enjoyed something but didnt know whose record it was.
When he was told who it was he flipped, as he hadnt been exactly complimentry over Wings, but coming up blew his mind and rumour has it that he contacted Paul again because of that single. Now, i dont know if all this is true, but i read it in one of the many books that came out just after John was killed and they do suggest that " Coming Up " inspired Johns comeback in 1980.

[joelgoldenberg]

Just like you loved hearing Temporary Secretary live in 2015, I loved hearing Nineteen-Hundred and Eighty Five live in 2010.

[cazgerald]

It's one of my favorite albums - maybe because it's so quirky, maybe because even though the hits are amazing songs I've just heard them to death, regardless love this album. Haven't listened to it in a long time - the only thing the cover is missing is a height chart on the wall behind him XD