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. GerryP
    Oct 6, 2005
    9
    This is the first McCartney album I've bought in years. I was expecting to be disappointed, and the first time I listened I was. However, I played it a few times more, and I'm now in love with it. I didn't think McCartney was capable of producing something with the edge this album has. His voice has aged, but not necessarily for the worse, and it is well matched to material This is the first McCartney album I've bought in years. I was expecting to be disappointed, and the first time I listened I was. However, I played it a few times more, and I'm now in love with it. I didn't think McCartney was capable of producing something with the edge this album has. His voice has aged, but not necessarily for the worse, and it is well matched to material he has produced. Genuine emotion, little filler, fine composition and arrangements, and proof that he's a gifted musician. My only complaint is that there are no out and out rockers.… Expand
  2. FK
    Sep 24, 2005
    9
    Paul, I would
  3. HenkV
    Oct 30, 2005
    9
    I think this is they best album from Paul off the last years. Well done Paul. And all that in the age off 63 year.
  4. AlonD
    Oct 8, 2005
    9
    Paul's best in the same vein as McCartney
  5. MaartenK
    Sep 14, 2005
    9
    Great album, with a nice flow what usually lacks in Macca cd's, because there are no stinkers this time. Godrich really got the best out of this man with already an impressive list of classics on his name. Beck meets Abbey Road meets Burt Bacharach
  6. WouterD
    Sep 15, 2005
    9
    Impressive how he played everything himself. A nice cooperation between Godrich and McCartney.
  7. SimonM
    Sep 15, 2005
    9
    To me this is a very fine mccartney album and yes there are some ropey over sentemental corners, but thats what macca does. The biggest thing in this albums favour is atmosphere, this is down to some unusually introspective lyrics and unlike a lot of mccartney albums depth in the production. Moody, Twee and very he.
  8. JimR
    Sep 20, 2005
    9
    I've been buying new records from Sir Paul since the days of The Beatles. To tell the truth, I haven't found much to be happy with in the past 30 years. For every album that was at least pleasant to listen to there was another that was downright dismal. Examples of the latter would be "Driving Rain", "Run Devil Run", "Off The Ground", "Press", and especially "McCartney II". I've been buying new records from Sir Paul since the days of The Beatles. To tell the truth, I haven't found much to be happy with in the past 30 years. For every album that was at least pleasant to listen to there was another that was downright dismal. Examples of the latter would be "Driving Rain", "Run Devil Run", "Off The Ground", "Press", and especially "McCartney II". Other albums such as "Flowers In The Dirt", "Flaming Pie", "Tug of War", and "London Town" had their moments, but in the were overall disappointments. Of Sir Paul's solo albums the best have been "McCartney", "Ram", "Red Rose Speedway", "Band On The Run", and "Venus and Mars". Even the latter hasn't faired as well as time has gone by. All things brings me round to "Chaos and Creation". It is by far the best album from Paul since "BOTR". There are moments I found myself saying "That part is straight out of "Red Rose Speedway" or "Ram". The good news is that if anything, Paul has shown great maturity as a writer with this batch of songs. I never minded his "Silly Love Songs" too much (except for that particular song itself annoyed me greatly), but even with "English Tea" when you get some of that flavor (pardon the pun) you are reminded at once also of "Martha My Dear" or "When I'm Sixty-Four". It would have fit nicely on any of the Beatle albums of '67 or '68. Other standouts on this album are "Jenny Wren", "At The Mercy", "Promise To You Girl" (there's a whole section of that song that could have been on "Red Rose"), and "Too Much Rain". The only song that I feel could have been left off to languish until somebody decided to include on an "outtakes" compilation someday is "How Kind of You". It's just boring. Sorry, Paul. But, to end on high note, don't dare miss "This Never Happened Before", "Anyway", and most especially "A Certain Softness". This song is by far the best song Paul has come out with EVER. It ranks up there with anything he has ever done. It's a great love song, but with a touch of sadness and mystery too. I put it right up there with "Yesterday", "Michelle", "Here, There, and Everywhere", and "And I Love Her". Finallly, don't miss this album or decide not to take a chance on it because of some of Paul's lackluster releases in the past. This one is a must have.… Expand
  9. ScottG
    Sep 28, 2005
    9
    The more I listen to it, the more I enjoy it.
  10. BradL
    Jan 3, 2006
    9
    This is a musically well-crafted album. But it does require the listener to actually LISTEN to the lyrics. My only fear is that the slower pace of this work will cause it to be overlooked. Overall, a real gem that grows better every time I play it.
  11. RichardB
    Nov 5, 2005
    9
    I hear bits and pieces of the glory days!
  12. kmacchi
    Oct 23, 2005
    9
    Classic Mccartney melodies matched with a lyrical deepness. An emotionally moving album; a major career statement.
  13. AlexJ
    Oct 24, 2005
    9
    This is an excellent, mature album from a more quiet & reflective McCartney, who seems to have challenged himself a bit more on this album. The album is well-produced by Nigel Godrich, who reportedly challenged McCartney, both in the selection of tunes and his approach to recording them, nixing Paul's band in favor of an all-Paul instrumentation. The songs are consistently high This is an excellent, mature album from a more quiet & reflective McCartney, who seems to have challenged himself a bit more on this album. The album is well-produced by Nigel Godrich, who reportedly challenged McCartney, both in the selection of tunes and his approach to recording them, nixing Paul's band in favor of an all-Paul instrumentation. The songs are consistently high quality, and even the lesser songs are not total "clunkers", as often appear on other McCartney efforts. It also seems like Paul put more effort into the lyrics on this album-- a song like Vanity Fair, for example, explores uncharted emotional territory for Paul. Still, the album does not soar as high as Paul's best solo work, and I don't think it has any classics on the level of his Beatles work. Nevertheless, this album signals that McCartney still has great creative juices flowing, and I would rank it as one of his top post-Beatles albums. I posted a more extensive review on my blog Jordan's View at http:jordansview.blogspot.com.… Expand
  14. LoganS
    Sep 14, 2005
    9
    Very beautiful album... some songs take to my liking, yet, some don't. But I have to say, out of all the wings and beatles CD's I have... this one is definately in the top 3!!
  15. DanielB
    Sep 14, 2005
    9
    Every song on the album is great, which is rare nowadays. Paul's definitely still got it!
  16. ThomasC
    Sep 14, 2005
    9
    revolutionary......for Macca. He could've done the usual but came through with something that on the second listen really uncovers new ground. A great listen.....Loved "Vanity Fair", "Never Happened Before" & "Anyway"
  17. JerryC
    Sep 15, 2005
    9
    Admittedly only on my fourth or fifth listen, this album could easily climb to ten on my rating scale by tonight. "Chaos and Creation" seems to come from a much deeper place in Paul's soul than most of his prior solo efforts. Although he has composed many a masterpiece song on recent efforts such as "Driving Rain" and "Flaming Pie", "Chaos" bears a continuity that almost suggests Admittedly only on my fourth or fifth listen, this album could easily climb to ten on my rating scale by tonight. "Chaos and Creation" seems to come from a much deeper place in Paul's soul than most of his prior solo efforts. Although he has composed many a masterpiece song on recent efforts such as "Driving Rain" and "Flaming Pie", "Chaos" bears a continuity that almost suggests that all the songs were written in the same time and place. That is not to say there is redundancy here, the emotions displayed range from hopeful to melancholy, from wistful to angry (yes, angry). The opener, "Fine Line", along with "Friends To Go" and "Promise to You Girl" grab you pretty quickly with melodic hooks and tight vocal harmonies. In contrast, songs like "How Kind Of You" and "At The Mercy", although melodically beautiful, possess an intricacy that requires a few listens before they embed themselves in your mind, but once they do, they are particularly emotionally stirring. Producer Nigel Godrich's approach, at times both lavish and simplistic, has very effectively captured the heartfelt yearnings of this ingenius composer who has experienced such recent loss, and newfound love. There are no attempts to fit into mainstream pop here; McCartney clearly set out to create something true and honest to himself, and this extroversion is further expressed in the instrumental performances, most of which were tracked by Paul alone. Perhaps in an entirely new way, Paul has taken command of the listener's mood, by so expressively converying his own. In a contemporary music world comprised of prefabricated, plastic marionettes posing as artists and bands, churning out recycled carbon copies of the current MTV-approved pop flavor-of-the-week, this wonderful work will go largely ignored by the masses. But for what remains of the marketplace for great songwriting and genuine, original creativity and artistry, 'Chaos" is salvation.… Expand
  18. BoF
    Sep 16, 2005
    9
    His best work since Flowers In The Dirt. Not as good as Band On The Run, but on the same level as McCartney, Ram, McCartney II and Tug Of War
  19. JoeL
    Sep 16, 2005
    9
    Once again, amazing song writing. Paul still has a lot to say. Just like many McCartney releases, it takes a few go arounds to get a feel for the music. But then something happens, and you start to know and love the music. This CD was great and has many layers that the listener will enjoy uncovering.
  20. EvL
    Sep 16, 2005
    9
    This is a beautiful record; certainly one of McCartney´s best. McCartney is in a league beyond himself. Best song 'At the mercy' . Thumbs up Macca!
  21. DennisN
    Sep 18, 2005
    9
    It grows on you. Lots of melody and very introspective. On first listen I was struck by the lack of rockers, but as I delve deeper, I begin to understand that this departure sounds like it may have surprised McCartney as well as his listeners. A lovely album.
  22. KeithS
    Sep 25, 2005
    9
    Surely one of his best solo albums, but also unexpectedly painful in its melancholy theme - not what you expect from Sir Paul - it is not a case of McCartney returning to his best, but in places, going to somewhere he has never been. Riding to Vanity Fair is stunning
  23. KoppenK
    Sep 27, 2005
    9
    Vintage McCartney. Typical of most of his other releases of the past 30 years, it took awhile, but after several listens, this one is awesome. He writes 'em, sings 'em (best voice ever in rock) and plays 'em (he plays nearly every instrument on every song on this CD). Why can the critics not recognize this "complete" talent and give him the kudos that he has deserved for years?!?!
  24. LukeG
    Sep 27, 2005
    9
    Unlike "Driving Rain", which was a very good album with a couple of weak songs, this one is a very good album without any bad songs ! So this is an improvement... No chart-topping single this time but a lot of pleasurable items to listen to.
  25. BlairM
    Sep 29, 2005
    9
    When I first got the CD as a gift, I thought, "i can't believe I don't like it," but the more I listen the more i love it. It's a more mellow, somber album than any I've heard from Paul. I think everyone seems to have to give it a few listens before appreciating how great it is because we just aren't use to hearing such a somber Paul throughout an entire album. When I first got the CD as a gift, I thought, "i can't believe I don't like it," but the more I listen the more i love it. It's a more mellow, somber album than any I've heard from Paul. I think everyone seems to have to give it a few listens before appreciating how great it is because we just aren't use to hearing such a somber Paul throughout an entire album. Great job Paul, can't wait to see you next Saturday.… Expand
  26. AlexA
    Nov 21, 2006
    9
    Second to none.
  27. mijiQ
    Jan 21, 2006
    9
    this album is really cool hardly find another song like "english tea" in the whole world even thought paul is a little bit elderly, he is really a fine artist
  28. ArleneM
    Jul 13, 2006
    9
    Beautiful, earnest, deep.
  29. 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
  30. GünterS.
    Aug 26, 2007
    9
    Sorry, only 9, but I first heard "memory almost full" ...
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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 »