The Beatles always amounted to far more than the sum of their parts, a point driven home every time a hopelessly flawed solo effort by either John, Paul, George or Ringo hits 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 — sunny melodies, tight harmonies and pleasantly familiar vocals — but none of the vitality and freshness of McCartney’s best work.
This article appears in Oct 6-12, 2005.