My Thoughts on Paul McCartney’s “Egypt Station'

I don’t know why I mimic a guitar every time I say ‘rocky’.

[paullucas]

Than you Ben, I really enjoyed your very thoughtful review of Egypt Station. I have listened to this album so many times now. I just love how all songs just grow on you. I really lovely the variety of styles of songs on this albums. I think it is a very well crafted record. Most importantly it is enjoyable to listen to. Thanks again Ben.

[larrykennedy]

I really enjoyed your analysis after your first two listens, Ben. I am a Beatles fanatic who has collected nearly all of their solo work. Of course there are moments of wonder, and moments of wondering to be had at hearing their solo output over the years, but I watched your video in part to get a sense of what someone your age thinks about Paul's newest work. For me, his interest in remaining relevant, in finding new avenues both creatively and commercially, is part of why he has never (never) let me down as an artist. You are very insightful about what it is to be an artist, and your remarks referencing the early John and Yoko "unfinished music" projects tells me that you understand much about their side of the experience. I think Paul's determination to be heard, while continuing to have a thing or two to say, while continuing to entertain, is a peerless journey in our times, as artists of all stripes are concerned. I'm glad you tuned into his solo work while he's still at it. My journey began when "Say Say Say" was a number one hit, and the critics were making fun of him for making "modern pop" music with Michael Jackson. The critics have generally been making the same record since 1970 - the one that goes "it's not as good as the Beatles." Many others stick to the "not as good as Band on the Run" mantra. I feel sorry that those folks may fail to enjoy the current, fun music that Paul is always determined to make. Anyway - thanks for taking the time to make this entirely engaging, thoughtful video. You made me want to go back and enjoy another spin of "Egypt Station." Cheers!

[johnheaton]

Nice job Ben...ignore those negative personal comments....you are perfectly entitled to your opinion

[VinylCollectorJames]

Ben, that may be the best summary of the album I have heard so far. Especially for just having it a day. At least the closest to my own opinions. Very well thought out and expressed I must say. You really should focus on doing more reviews like this, you're very good at it. I'm really enjoying the album myself, and have spent a great deal of time the past 24 hours listening. It's nice to hear some support of it, and not only just that but with specific reasons why rather than hey it's Paul, we love it regardless. Your rationale was fantastic and great "non review" haha. Take Care Ben and excellent work!

[PedroAmA]

The sound of back in Brazil is samba de Brazil it was a Latin touch in the album

[michel]

good Job man! (me being some centuries older still really liked your summary!)

[dguyiop]

Your Dad would be very happy with your review! He worked hard getting Egypt Station just right.

[Drakesclub]

Some good solo albums by the Beatles include, 'John Lennon Plastic Ono Band' 1970. 'All Things Must Pass' by George Harrison. 'Imagine' by John Lennon. 'Ringo' by Ringo Starr.  'Ram' by Paul McCartney. Also, 'Band On The Run', 'Venus And Mars', 'Tug of War', 'Pipes Of Peace', 'Flaming Pie'. 'Chaos and Creation' and the new 'Egypt Station. All good albums. I think 'Egypt Station' is as good as 'Ram' or 'Flaming Pie' even if it is not as good as 'Band On The Run'. But the fact that he can still make an album as good as the albums he made in his youth is amazing.

[strathman]

Hi Ben, I believe the album artwork is indeed "that painting", although it may have been adapted to stretch over the concertina fold of the longer edition (haven't actually seen that). He's used it before as a stage backdrop and you can see it on the video from a Russian tour some years ago, I think St Petersburg.

[nothingisreal]

Hey cheers for your review Ben. I've been a big Beatles fan for many years but also love Mr McCartneys output. I didn't think that this album would be as good as it actually is because of his initial single releases. It's a very interesting listen and surprisingly adventurous and uplifting. I also think that the 2 extra tracks from the "Target Exclusive" version are good too, especially "Get Started". I think that "Nothing For Free" sounds like it was produced by Ryan Tedder as it is very modern sounding like "Fuh You". All in all another McCartney Gem. By the way, us Glaswegians would say "Fur You". Cheers

[michaelfrazia]

Get into Wings...classic 70s sounding band

[RossGoodallMusic]

Hi Ben, great first impressions video of Egypt Station. I personally love the album, there are a few track which need to grow on me like People Want Peace, Do It Now and Cesar Rock, but overall another crackin album from Sir Macca. I too hear a lot of T-Rex similarities in Who Cares, one of my favorites. Most of our favourite/least favourite do line up and I'd say the high points are among the best of his solo career, but there is possible a few too many track in the middle. Thanks Ben

[carolinelundsteen]

Hello, (this comment has nothing to do with music) i am considering getting a cat, is that something you would recommend to someone living in an apartment?
good video by the way ( :

[thombran]

I'm happy there's a positive review. I was happily shocked how much I enjoyed it, how experimental Paul is willing to go. I love it and it keeps growing on me. My personal favourite is 'hand in hand' which just brings me to tears every time. It's just such a beautiful statement on the power of love, it's so sensitive and fragile. Exposing his pure heart within. Something truly, truly amazing. And that flute solo! I think it's something you could only really understand with an open heart idk. Caesar Rock is just manic debauchery, I love it. I don't know has a wonderfully melancholic opening piano intro. Everyone rips on Fuh You and I get it, but if you listen closely there's a lot of production elements and melodic arrangements which are quite clever. Dominoes and Despite Repeated Warnings speak for themselves. Naked should be given more credit! Confidante is a gorgeous little number. I like all the tracks, come to think of it. I think he's simply done an outstanding job. It's an album that will surely add and not substract to the legend of Macca. Bless him.

Side-note, I am desperately trying to pinpoint your accent but I simply cannot come up with anything other than 'North', or possibly Wales or something. At the very least, far from London. Which is kind of sad, since, if you should possibly allow it, you're exceptionally cute. Oops. Anyway, great review and bless xx

[PedroAmA]

wow the album got number one >>> bravo Paul Mccartney keep on rocking

[jerseysucks]

Excellent review! For a young lad, you know your stuff. Great album in general. It probably won't go platinum but no one buys albums anymore it seems. Keep rockin'!

[rockboy]

Hey Ben. Well I gotta say you hit the nail on the head by saying it takes some time on some albums. This one is growing on me a bit sense my live chat. Don't think I'll come to give it anything more than a 7. It's a good solid album but for me personally a disappointment compared to his recent attempts with new, chaos and memory. Exciting as always tho to get an album from Paul. It's my 3rd album from Paul now that I have got sense I've been a fan. The packaging on this one is easily his best maybe ever so I hope you can get the vinyl at some point. Defiantly get the deluxe one when you do as it's a fun package. Take care mate

[MrKatyia]

hi Ben thanks for that news
I've only listened to I don't know, thus far
it is something i can identify with in my own head
something to do with being in the right side of the brain
like with dyslexia

[flyingkillerrobots]

Hi Ben .. Enjoying listening to your reaction (which I think is bang on in many respects) to Egypt Station. Let’s talk about shared history of ‘the concept album’ and Paul McCartney for a moment, if we may. Sgt. Pepper’s (especially in the Beatles mythos) has arguably been called the first concept album in rock history... when in reality, as you pointed out, there are three songs on the album that are tied to the Pepper theme with a bunch of unrelated songs sandwiched between the eponymous track and its refrain. John Lennon said as much in one of his more myth busting moods. Paul’s actual concept for the album was to distance themselves as artists from the already weighty name of ‘The Beatles’ and don an alter ego so that they could be freed creatively to explore new sounds without being chained to prior expectations .. coinciding with the end of the Beatles as a touring group, Paul opting to make the album ‘the performance’ and just do it once - and do it right. So, you get Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band .. the world’s first concept album. The concept is the packaging and not the actual musical content (one can argues it becomes one and the same over time as the art matures, but I digress). Paul has used this template on all his so-called ‘concept albums’ .. Same for the albums ‘Band On The Run’, ‘Back To The Egg’, ‘Tug Of War/Pipes of Peace’... among others all had a similar ‘concept’ that bundled the songs together - it’s a Macca trope now. The stellar (IMO, one of his finest solo efforts, not only in the new millennial material, but his solo catalog. I think it will stand out for future rock historians) Egypt Station is the latest in a long line of albums cast from the Pepper mold.

I’m hopefully not coming off too pedantic. It’s just when you introduced yourself, you mentioned you weren’t that heavily into/familiar with a lot of his earlier solo work and I thought maybe I could lend some perspective.

[randymacca]

I really enjoyed listening to your thoughts on "Egypt Station."  I got the CD edition with the 2 bonus tracks which are quite good....especially "Nothing for Free."  I really like this album.