Chaos And Creation In The Backyard
by Paul McCartney
  • Record Label: Capitol
  • Release Date: Sep 13, 2005
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 271 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 242 out of 271
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 271
  3. Negative: 19 out of 271

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  1. jess
    Mar 9, 2006
    10
    Beautiful. Cannot stop listening to it. Jes
  2. JanV
    Jun 28, 2006
    10
    How does he do it? Great!
  3. ArleneM
    Jul 13, 2006
    9
    Beautiful, earnest, deep.
  4. JohnL
    Jul 24, 2006
    10
    This truly ranks with McCartney's best works. McCartney came out of a real taispin of lousy work during the 80's (Tug of War being the lone exception) with Flowers in the Dirt. Since then he has released records about every 4-5 years, and it has been consistently excellent work that, sadly, has failed to get much notice from the public sales wlse. This album is as ambitious This truly ranks with McCartney's best works. McCartney came out of a real taispin of lousy work during the 80's (Tug of War being the lone exception) with Flowers in the Dirt. Since then he has released records about every 4-5 years, and it has been consistently excellent work that, sadly, has failed to get much notice from the public sales wlse. This album is as ambitious lyrically as it is musically...that factor is also a hallmark of his more recent work; especially Flaming Pie. It has a few more uptempo "rockers", but the feel is of a more subdued and mellower McCartney...and wonderfully so. Don't miss this one...it has/had my vote for the best CD of 2005 !!!!… Expand
  5. ChadS
    Jul 6, 2006
    9
    "Jenny Wren" might possibly be his best post-Beatles composition ever. If he were to die suddenly, this understated and graceful gem would be a wonderful coda to an extraordinary career. If not for the sharpness of its economical lyrics, "English Tea" would be unbearable. Recorder solo? As is, it sounds like McCartney is satirizing himself("Very twee/very me"). "Fine Line" is his most "Jenny Wren" might possibly be his best post-Beatles composition ever. If he were to die suddenly, this understated and graceful gem would be a wonderful coda to an extraordinary career. If not for the sharpness of its economical lyrics, "English Tea" would be unbearable. Recorder solo? As is, it sounds like McCartney is satirizing himself("Very twee/very me"). "Fine Line" is his most instantly hummable single since "Coming Up". Washed up? "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard" is an audio touche.… Expand
  6. BrunoB
    Sep 18, 2006
    10
    Good As Gold. Amazing Great Album, Grows on You. Keep it up Paul.
  7. Sophie
    Jul 31, 2007
    10
    One of his best albums - a fantastic piece of work and one of the best of the decade. Some of the tracks are absolutely wonderful.
  8. GünterS.
    Aug 26, 2007
    9
    Sorry, only 9, but I first heard "memory almost full" ...
  9. CathyG
    Nov 15, 2005
    10
    Most of this album is wonderful, I keep listening to it over & over and as I do some songs are coming out on top, Too Much Pain, Anyway, Follow Me & Jenny Wren leave me wishing for more of them & not so much A Certain Softness, & At the Mercy....... overall, an album that I hear in my head at various times of the day, and have to hear it for real or the yearning just grows! love it!
  10. tons
    Nov 17, 2005
    10
    simply great!!
  11. HalG
    Nov 24, 2005
    9
    great songwriting
  12. RodrigoS
    Nov 26, 2005
    8
    I agree. His best album in years. Some songs like "Jenny Wren", "Too much rain" or "Follow me" (for example) are here to stay. Solid McCarthian work.
  13. joseh
    Nov 27, 2005
    10
    the best o the best
  14. TonyB
    Nov 5, 2005
    9
    Best stuff since' Band On The Run'. The CD definately grows on you.
  15. GeirH
    Oct 16, 2005
    9
    A 9 only because the 10s are reserved for Beatles albums, and for "Tug Of War", his only perfect (and oh-so-underrated) album. Still, this is his best effort since, exactly, "Tug Of War". The album is somewhat introspective, and "darker" than what he usually is, but the songs are really strong. Having Godrich around has first and foremost helped him being critical towards himself, which A 9 only because the 10s are reserved for Beatles albums, and for "Tug Of War", his only perfect (and oh-so-underrated) album. Still, this is his best effort since, exactly, "Tug Of War". The album is somewhat introspective, and "darker" than what he usually is, but the songs are really strong. Having Godrich around has first and foremost helped him being critical towards himself, which is always an advantage for Paul. The only thing even remiscent of Radiohead, or even Travis, here is "Riding To Vanity Fair". But anyway, the album is crowded with strong songs, it is a grower, and certainly even better than I thought it was possible for McCartney to get in 2005. As for the lack of rockers, McCartney may be a great fan of 50s rock'n'roll, but I have never really liked his rockers. The otherwise harmonically interesting McCartney has a tendency to become very harmonically primitive once he tries to rock, and I am happy that he has finally put away the rock experiments he has been doing since "Off The Ground". McCartney is always at his best when doing pure pop, and this album, although somewhat "dark", is pure pop at its very best!… Expand
  16. PatrickD
    Oct 16, 2005
    10
    The first time I listened to Chaos and Creation, I couldn't stand it , I wanted my money back. I thought okay maybe it'll grow on me .Now after listening to it everyday for the past 26 days I absolutely love it . It is an awesome production. I spoke with a friend of mine who had the same experience. And still another friend who has only listened to it once and is disappointed . The first time I listened to Chaos and Creation, I couldn't stand it , I wanted my money back. I thought okay maybe it'll grow on me .Now after listening to it everyday for the past 26 days I absolutely love it . It is an awesome production. I spoke with a friend of mine who had the same experience. And still another friend who has only listened to it once and is disappointed . I told him to give a few more listens. Iencourage every to do the same , My thought is that because the pace of the CD is out of step with the fast pace of most contemporary music , life and the world in which we live , it requires a listener of Chaos and Creation to become acclimated to the quiet subleties and gentle tones of chaos and Creation.… Expand
  17. MattB
    Sep 12, 2005
    9
    This is a beautifuly organic album from Macca. "Jenny Wren" and "Anyway" are beautiful.
  18. HolgerB
    Sep 13, 2005
    9
    One of his four best albums: Chaos and Creation in the backyard Flaming Pie Flowers In The Dirt Band on the Run
  19. RickS
    Sep 13, 2005
    8
    I've loved McCartney for more years than I can remember. OK, at least 40 years. There. Yeah, it's tough comparing it to his Beatles and early solo stuff. Who WASN'T more energetic/creative/better sounding when they were younger?? That's just reality. Yeah, it's difficult listening to the weight of years in his voice, when we all were so entranced by his velvet I've loved McCartney for more years than I can remember. OK, at least 40 years. There. Yeah, it's tough comparing it to his Beatles and early solo stuff. Who WASN'T more energetic/creative/better sounding when they were younger?? That's just reality. Yeah, it's difficult listening to the weight of years in his voice, when we all were so entranced by his velvet vocals AND strengths. And yet, and yet I STILL run to my record store the second anything new is released, I'm still entranced by his abilities on record and in concert (wasn't Red Square freakin' spectacular!?!?) This album doesn't fire on all 13 cylinders all the time... but there's plenty of Macca Magic within still. Plenty. I was actually very pleased with most of the songs on this album. It's hard to be objective when you're such a fan. But then again... you're such a fan for good reason. Enjoy.… Expand
  20. PhilipL
    Sep 13, 2005
    10
    Solid effort with every track contributing positively. No clunkers as has been the norm for MACCA's recent studio releases. Even the instrumental tacked on as a bonus works. Not many melodies that will stick in your head but uniformly great songwriting of the non-cloying variety.
  21. RufusT.Firefly
    Sep 14, 2005
    10
    Not quite Band on the Run... but then what is? This ranks up there with McCartney, Ram, Tug of War, Flowers in the Dirt, and possibly even Flaming Pie. It's among his best works, and that is easily a ten in my book! Beautiful melodies, introspective lyrics... a must have!
  22. MichaelA
    Sep 14, 2005
    10
    I have never heard Pauls inner voices and feelings so naked.
  23. XavierB
    Sep 14, 2005
    10
    Its a great album.
  24. BrandonS
    Sep 14, 2005
    8
    The standard thing to say when someone like McCartney comes out with an excellent album is that it's his "best in a long time" - but Driving Rain was great, as were Flaming Pie and Run Devil Run. This is an excellent addition to his latter-day streak of smart, inspired albums.
  25. FigoF
    Sep 15, 2005
    9
    Excellent!!!
  26. ScottM
    Sep 15, 2005
    9
    Ranks with his best solo work, not a bad song on the album.
  27. jennyw
    Sep 15, 2005
    10
    It was very artistic. It was a little different from the usual. I loved it.
  28. GordonS
    Sep 15, 2005
    9
    As usual there are a couple of crap songs ("Follow Me" and "This Never Happened Before") but the rest is really great. "Riding To Vanity Fair" is amazing. I fixed the crap songs by replacing them with very good B-Sides ("Comfort of Love" and "Growing Up Falling Down"). I suggest you do the same. I thought Nigel was supposed to be there to take out the bad songs. Oh well. Paul came SOOOO As usual there are a couple of crap songs ("Follow Me" and "This Never Happened Before") but the rest is really great. "Riding To Vanity Fair" is amazing. I fixed the crap songs by replacing them with very good B-Sides ("Comfort of Love" and "Growing Up Falling Down"). I suggest you do the same. I thought Nigel was supposed to be there to take out the bad songs. Oh well. Paul came SOOOO close to delivering a perfect 10.… Expand
  29. JohnS
    Sep 16, 2005
    10
    Among McCartney's best... which says a lot!
  30. JoeS
    Sep 16, 2005
    9
    The first listening didn't offer much. But after a few more listens, this CD delivers. A different approach for Paul. Very introspective, dare I see even bitter! Yes, we still need him!
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Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Most Discussed Album of 2005
27
#27 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. AllMusic
    80
    The quiet nature of Chaos and Creation may mean that some listeners will pass it over quickly, since it's a grower, but spend some time with the record and becomes clear that McCartney is far from spent as either a songwriter or record-maker.
    Read full review
  2. Billboard
    70
    McCartney continues to surprise, opening this set with four of his best songs in ages. [17 Sep 2005]
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    There's no question that in places, it's a tad too twee. But what we're hearing is an artist honestly following his muse--always a compelling event. [16 Sep 2005, p.84]
See all critic reviews »