Off The Ground

'Hope Of Deliverance' and 'Off The Ground' are two okay numbers but the rest are barely memorable or just plain awful, like the unintenionally hilarious 'Biker Like An Icon'. This song is typical of the sort of lazy, uninspired stuff that has helped to steadily erode McCartney's reputation as a songwriter over the past few decades-lyrics that might have looked okay on paper, but they just sound ridiculous and childish when sung out loud.

The problem with this album, like so many others he's released, is that the majority of songs shouldn't ever see the light of day from an artist of his calibre. If most of the songs on this album were presented to a record company as a demo by a new artist, it'd more than likely be rejected.

There are a couple of tracks here co-written with Elvis Costello, but neither are of the standard of their collaborations featured on the far superior 'Flowers In The Dirt'. These may be from those sessions and it would make sense why they weren't featured on that album...they're just not very good.

Skip this and try 'Tug Of War', 'Flowers In The Dirt' and 'Flaming Pie' instead. They are the best solo albums he's made in the past few decades and contain some great tracks.

I had purchased this CD when it first came out (initially purchasing the CD Single of Hope of Deliverance + Big Boys Bickering etc..) I trully enjoy the output from McCartney during these sessions. In fact if I could find the complete sessions (The complete works, I would buy that!!) Some of the b-sides are stronger than the initial copy Off the Ground. Anyway, my favorties on this CD are Hope of Deliverance (reminds me a little of the Ballad of John and Yoko), Mistress & Maid (some awesome production and perfances !!) Biker Like an Icon ( you can tell Paul just loves this song...), Golden Earth Child & The Lovers that Never were (strong vocals / performances and production work), and my favorite (yes it might be sappy, but I feel its the most honest vocals by Paul in a while) Winedark Open Sea. I can do without C'mon People, but I love Cosmically Conscious..(pauls version of John's Dig it....he's just having fun...)
Finally, I would recommend this CD over Flowers in the Dirt and would put it up there with Run Devil Run, Flaming Pie, Tug of War and Venus and Mars.
Rock on Paul...and congrats on the new baby..

From a fan in Texas via Long Island NY

(...) It's a standard McCartney pop album that deserves alot more credit than it gets. Critics really do expect the impossible from McCartney. This CD really has some very good pop rock on it. I've been a Macca fan for along time and you've got to learn to expect the unexpected from him, his musical styles change majorly from album to album. But keep in mind this is no Band on the Run, there are some not so good songs on here....
OFF THE GROUND- A good strong pop rock mid tempo opener. It's got a good catchy melody and a real airy "off the ground" feel to it. It also has a mean electric guitar.
LOOKING FOR CHANGES- A song McCartney sings about animal rights. Another rocker with hot electric guitar, a good solid riff that'll hook you to it... if you can get used to the lyrics.
HOPE OF DELIVERENCE- This was a huge commercial hit, which i personally do not care for. It has a cool steel guitar solo though its largely an acoustic song.
MISTRESS AND MAID- Here we come to the first really bad song. He co wrote it with MacManus.... just go ahead and skip over it.
I OWE IT ALL TO YOU- A very nice ballad type song. It's definantly worth a listen.
BIKER LIKE AN ICON- LOL! What were you smokin when you wrote this one McCartney? A good funny novelty piece with a catchy bass line but the lyrics are just........INSANE!!!
PEACE IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD- A good groovy boogy song. Definantly happy and upbeat. Don't skip over it.
GOLDEN EARTH GIRL-One of Paul's most over looked ballads. Its got a very nice piano accomp. though the lyrics are k i nd o f w e i r d.?(Eggshell fish in a sunbeam)!@?
THE LOVERS THAT NEVER WERE- Sounds like this one could be in a movie, listen to it.
GET OUT OF MY WAY- Oh yah!! McCartney at his rock n' roll best, screamin' out "get out of my way, get out of my life, i don't need anybody but my woman tonight" classic 50's rock. Sweet.
WINEDARK OPEN SEA-Another McCartney love song. Gotta be get tired of them but you should still listen to it, its a good one.
C'MON PEOPLE- Very John Lennon style. Definantly not my favorite on the CD but no less a good closing song.

Remember that these are just my personal opinions on this album. And I'm saying you should definantly give it a listen.. it measures up to be just as good as Flaming Pie. To bad it's out of print in the US.