Look at it this way: not bad, but no "Please Please Me". YIKES. Who could stand up to those kinda standards?
Still.
Not bad.
A strong AOR sound, The guitar picking that opens "The Sound Of My Voice" is inticing, and when it breaks electric, it is smart, well orchestrated rock. And sounds NOTHING like his dad. Yeah, James McCartney is Paul McCartney's son and wandering into a territory essentialy owned by his father.
But, except when he reaches for his higher registry, he doesn't much sound like his Dad. It is kinda arresting that way here and there but, nah.
Fortunately, he doesn't sound like his Mom either.
The six song EP is constantly alluring middledom; James moves from piano to guitar with ease and while I wish he was a little tougher minded, "Now you're in my life the darkest hour has gone away" is typical, this ain't lame. And the sound itself reminds me of early Elton John. A symphonic piano based music without the symphony.
Plus? If your Dad is Paulie, who believes you're getting your heart broken on a consistent basis? You need to write about beingin shadows -about how, even if just because your Dad is a multi-millionaire, you are on the side.
Best track? "Wings Of A Lightest Weight". Even if the title is a bit iffy, I mean, isn't the last name enought? An acoustic strum ends up in another mid-tempo ballad, yet… there is a certain ability to it -it is a pretty, self-conscious, song with a feel for movement, song after song here moves from one key to another. And semi-experimental number "Jesus Is My Friend" is a heart felt spiritual (I think he's being sincere!!!) that improves with listening,
This is a suckers game for McCartney, he is completely fucked. All he can do is what he pleases and live withe comparisons. And that's what he does.
Grade: B
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