There were rules you never told me

A few months ago I mentioned that I had just purchased Paul McCartney's New album.   Well, I am here to report that IMO his winning streak is going strong.  In fact the deluxe edition contains a couple of bonus tracks that leave me wondering why they were omitted on the original release.  There are beau coups of ear worms here, and Mr. McCartney continues to venture into new sounds and structures.  Starting with Chaos and Creation from 2005 it seems that he has finally thrown off the shackles that lowered the value of his 80s and 90s output.

Queenie Eye belongs in the category of "just enjoy the ride".  From the opening mellotron prelude (shades of Sgt. Peppers!) to the piano driven pop of the song proper, this is one of those songs that only McCartney could deliver.  I consider it the 21st century cousin of Lady Madonna, with a driving beat and melody that never overstays its welcome.  Furthermore there is a heavenly almost whispered interlude right in the middle that makes me feel like the sky has lifted to the heavens, and brings out the most touching lyrics in this song:

It's long way, to the finish
When you've never been before
I was nervous, but I did it
Now I'm going back for more

The next best thing to be...

Here is a little taste of heaven, at least at the aural level.  I am so besotted by the duo lead singers of Lucius that I sought out every YouTube video that I could find.  And in the process stumbled across their live in the studio rendition of John Lennon's Free As a Bird.  The first soft vocal entry is absolutely perfect - the tone and harmony work is spine tingling.  And then.. on the next verse... the first word "Home" is delivered as a cascading overload of harmony.  A perfect sense of rhythm coupled with dead on pitch and breath control shoots this into the stratosphere.  The contrapuntal acoustic guitar and over amped electric lead guitar add sparse accompaniment that fits the song perfectly.   My partner and I are kicking ourselves for missing Lucius twice in 2014 here in Stumptown.   Next time they are anywhere near the West Coast - we will be there.