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The Beatles always amounted to far more than the sum of
their individual parts, a point driven home every time one of John, Paul,
George and Ringo’s hopelessly flawed solo efforts hit the streets. And though Chaos
& Creation in the Backyard represents
Macca’s strongest work since 1980’s McCartney
II, it’s hardly enough to validate a career that has
been mired in mediocrity since the dissolution of the Fab Four. At its best, Chaos evokes memories of the White Album: “Jenny Wren” is
a pretty acoustic ballad that recalls past hits like “Blackbird,” minus the
gorgeous hooks. But too much of the album plays like “Promise to You Girl,” a
rollicking number that has all the right ingredients – the sunny melodies,
tight harmonies and pleasantly familiar vocals – but none of the vitality and
freshness of McCartney’s best work.
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