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. AliceZ
    Sep 21, 2005
    10
    Tour de force
  2. RobH
    Sep 21, 2005
    9
    Very strong...proves he still has a lot of talent and just needs the right producer.
  3. willo
    Sep 21, 2005
    10
    best cd he wrote paul ur my hearo and i hope u come to buffalo so i can see case im to lasy to go any where i love and we all miss john and goerage. keep writing, will
  4. JT.
    Sep 21, 2005
    1
    Paul McCartney's trip back down Abbey Road, lead to heartache and aching ears after suffering through this miserable album. I listened with much anticipation for something with a good beat. I was sorely disappointed. The songs on this album are not the smooth runnings of a musician, but the strung together words and phrases of someone trying to force a song out of nothingness. Paul Paul McCartney's trip back down Abbey Road, lead to heartache and aching ears after suffering through this miserable album. I listened with much anticipation for something with a good beat. I was sorely disappointed. The songs on this album are not the smooth runnings of a musician, but the strung together words and phrases of someone trying to force a song out of nothingness. Paul should never have released this album. The rythms are mechanical and have no essence of personality to them. I would imagine that even the spirits of John and George, who McCartney said he felt "looking over his shoulder" are cringing at the long drawn out chords, rifs and choppy wording on this album. Paul, do us all a favour, stick to singing your past hits, cause your potential new ones just don't make the grade. You were once a rocker, with an easy side, now that easy side has slid into melencholy and borderlines on being boring. Wake up Paul and smell the essence of rock and roll again. Complacency does not fit you.… Expand
  5. RichardL
    Sep 21, 2005
    10
    Fantastic!!!!
  6. JaneL
    Sep 20, 2005
    10
    The best in years.
  7. 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
  8. danield
    Sep 20, 2005
    10
    this is one of pauls beat albums.it ranks with band on the run,tug of war and flaming pie.even though it is short on rock and roll , the songs are so beautfiul all is forgiven,best tarcks are "at the mercy","how kind of you' and :jenny wren"
  9. garye
    Sep 20, 2005
    8
    It grows on you -
  10. CriticKiller
    Sep 20, 2005
    10
    How can the gap between the critic score and the people score be so large on this???? and what's with the lack of good critial reviews?? Answer: the critics know nothing.
  11. BrianS
    Sep 19, 2005
    10
    This is a different McCartney. For all those who complained that Lennon was the lyrical one and not McCartney, these lyrics are interesting, deep, and ambiguous. Brilliant! It seems that each album since Flowers in the Dirt has been a little better than the previous one. I was wondering how McCartney would outdo Driving Rain. The first couple listens I thought I was disappointed in Chaos This is a different McCartney. For all those who complained that Lennon was the lyrical one and not McCartney, these lyrics are interesting, deep, and ambiguous. Brilliant! It seems that each album since Flowers in the Dirt has been a little better than the previous one. I was wondering how McCartney would outdo Driving Rain. The first couple listens I thought I was disappointed in Chaos and Creation. The fact is, these are not simple songs. The melodies are intricate and really some of the most beautiful melodies I've ever heard! The lyrics are likewise amazing. I'm not sure anyone can hear this album one time and grasp what is really going on. But this one grows fast on you! It's a subdued, moody, and sometimes dark album. Very un-McCartney like. But it's simply awesome! I can't imagine how his next album can possibly top this one. I can already tell this album is going to age very well and become one of my all time favorites!… Expand
  12. AndrewMacca
    Sep 19, 2005
    10
    A fantastic album! Great to hear Paul back in top form. His best work since Band on the Run. If he's not nominated for a Grammy for this one, I'll be shocked...
  13. GlennG
    Sep 19, 2005
    3
    Pretend you are listening to an unknown singer/songwriter on and MP3 site. WOuld you say these are great songs? No. Not anywhere near what Paul McCartney is capable of when he's inspired and on his game.
  14. DavidO
    Sep 19, 2005
    10
    There is not a bad song on this album! If you're a Beatles fan, but wrote off Paul McCartney a long time ago, you need to get this album. Absolutely! On first hearing, it is very good, but after subsequent listenings it really grows on you!
  15. laurab
    Sep 19, 2005
    10
    This is an incredible album featuring some new McCartney work that I'm sure anyone can grow to love.
  16. JuanLuisG
    Sep 19, 2005
    10
    Beautiful ! It is still growing on me.
  17. SebastianC
    Sep 19, 2005
    10
    great music, full heart, full mind
  18. GregK
    Sep 18, 2005
    6
    This album is inconsequential at best. Sure it is not as bad as we have come to expect from McCartney, but that's really not high praise.
  19. ZarkonF
    Sep 18, 2005
    10
    I wasn't expecting much from the new McCartney album, but I was delightfully surprised. This is a wonderful album up there with his best. On a scale of 1 to 10, it's sometimes off the scale and sublime: drills down to the unguarded heart.
  20. williamc
    Sep 18, 2005
    10
    MacCartney delivers! this album should have been titled McCartney III because it contains songs that seem to have been crafted with a thoughtfull pace and are rich in intimate revelations that have lacked since Tug of War (1982). There are no fast rockers here but "Fine Line" delivers a pretty convincing uptempo beat that is extremely catchy. One should remember that this is not a Beatles MacCartney delivers! this album should have been titled McCartney III because it contains songs that seem to have been crafted with a thoughtfull pace and are rich in intimate revelations that have lacked since Tug of War (1982). There are no fast rockers here but "Fine Line" delivers a pretty convincing uptempo beat that is extremely catchy. One should remember that this is not a Beatles album nor is it a Wings album...but it Paul does deliver his best solo effort in 22 years with Chaos and Creation!… Expand
  21. ChristopherL
    Sep 18, 2005
    10
    Chaos and creation in the backyard is a great CD. Every song is crafted with great detail, the CD does not disapoint. The song Jenny Wren is one of his best.
  22. MattD
    Sep 18, 2005
    10
    Amazing!! His best work in 30 years. If it weren't for the change of the times, some of these songs would become classics.
  23. 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.
  24. JoeC
    Sep 18, 2005
    10
    Got me out of my heavy metal doldrums... Sir Paul is a musical genius.
  25. HordyH
    Sep 18, 2005
    10
    I gave up on music and became an AM type... now McCartney is winning me back!
  26. JonathanB
    Sep 18, 2005
    10
    wow!
  27. VazquezA
    Sep 18, 2005
    0
    This is a horrible cd.
  28. MaxH
    Sep 17, 2005
    8
    It would have only taken a bit more discipline and producer direction to turn this re-miking-yorself album into an eleven. It's good music and is certainyt helped by watching the DVD. The new direction, once refined might produce a lot of beautiful, intense and memorable music.
  29. GaryJ
    Sep 17, 2005
    10
    His most mature solo work, with many tracks on par with that of the Beatles. A few surprises too - "Riding to Vanity Fair" is downright eerie! Thanks for the many years of music Paul.
  30. tonyh
    Sep 16, 2005
    10
    Best work since the Beatles! Its amazing how each time I listen, it gets better and better! Put on head phones and then listen to this and see how it just flows.
  31. StephenL
    Sep 16, 2005
    9
    McCartney delivers another strong album, not to be underestimated, or easily dismissed. On my first listening, I'm afraid I was looking for that harder edge that I know the writer of "Helter Skelter" is capable of, and I didn't find it. In my opinion, "Chaos and Creation" would have been a perfect album if only Paul had let go and rocked for about fifteen minutes. A little rock, McCartney delivers another strong album, not to be underestimated, or easily dismissed. On my first listening, I'm afraid I was looking for that harder edge that I know the writer of "Helter Skelter" is capable of, and I didn't find it. In my opinion, "Chaos and Creation" would have been a perfect album if only Paul had let go and rocked for about fifteen minutes. A little rock, added to the mix, might have reminded those who think of him as only a balladeer, just how versatile an artist he is. Maybe, but then, maybe this is the only way that most critics are willing to see Paul McCartney; as the crafter of compelling melodies and sentimental ballads. One thing that I'm quite sure of, now that I've heard the CD a few times, is that McCartney is still every bit the instinctive musical genius that he was in the Beatle years. Just don't come to this one expecting an explosion of screaming, driving, energy. It's there in many a McCartney song, but I reccomend this album for those moments when you are feeling like something a bit quieter. I really suspect that Nigel Godrich may have encouraged Paul to focus on the slower material, with his "stick to what you do best" advice. If so, Nigel should be reminded that Paul McCartney is a multi faceted artist, capable of much more variety than this album offers. That last bit is just for future reference, because I still expect to hear McCartney rocking loud and hard again ... maybe on the next album.… Expand
  32. 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!
  33. 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
  34. davidr
    Sep 16, 2005
    10
    Really beautiful. Holds together as a fine collection.
  35. JohnS
    Sep 16, 2005
    10
    Among McCartney's best... which says a lot!
  36. 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!
  37. PaulJ
    Sep 16, 2005
    10
    great great great!!
  38. YeudielA
    Sep 16, 2005
    10
    Excelente....tan solo es un ex beatle
  39. MC
    Sep 16, 2005
    10
    Absolutely incredible......wow, just...wow. McCartney and Godrich....who'd a thunk it
  40. ChrisG
    Sep 16, 2005
    6
    Aknowledging his leanings - "so twee, so me" as he does here does necessarily make it any easier to take. In moderation its ok but needs offseting by something harder, a traditional Macca strength. For every Michelle there was a Paperback Writer; for every Bluebird a Jet. Where are the jailer man and sailor Sam when I need them?
  41. MadsHA
    Sep 16, 2005
    10
    This is a great album - as good as the best Beatles!
  42. duncans
    Sep 16, 2005
    10
    a great album by paul mccartney! the production is spot on.
  43. 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.
  44. JeroenH
    Sep 16, 2005
    10
    Best since RAM
  45. 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
  46. jennyw
    Sep 15, 2005
    10
    It was very artistic. It was a little different from the usual. I loved it.
  47. L.Z.
    Sep 15, 2005
    10
    Beautiful and amazing!
  48. ScottM
    Sep 15, 2005
    9
    Ranks with his best solo work, not a bad song on the album.
  49. FigoF
    Sep 15, 2005
    9
    Excellent!!!
  50. JohnB
    Sep 15, 2005
    10
    This is back to the good old days. One off his best in many years. Sets A high standard off Songwriting / Melody. It's Macca on his Best
  51. WouterD
    Sep 15, 2005
    9
    Impressive how he played everything himself. A nice cooperation between Godrich and McCartney.
  52. 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.
  53. MikeR
    Sep 15, 2005
    5
    After the Beatles broke-up, McCartney has made only two solid albums that still hold up years later: "Band On The Run" and "Run Devil Run." They're good start-to-finish. The rest of McCartney's albums have at best a few good tracks, but are mostly mediocre. The same can be said of "Chaos and Creation..." The production is excellent, thanks to Nigel Godrich, and this is arguably After the Beatles broke-up, McCartney has made only two solid albums that still hold up years later: "Band On The Run" and "Run Devil Run." They're good start-to-finish. The rest of McCartney's albums have at best a few good tracks, but are mostly mediocre. The same can be said of "Chaos and Creation..." The production is excellent, thanks to Nigel Godrich, and this is arguably the best production ever to grace a McCartney record, but the songs vary in quality. The three best tracks are 'Fine Line' (the single), 'Jenny Wren,' and the hidden bonus track, and songs like 'Riding To Vanity Fair' and 'Too Much Rain' aren't bad, but a bunch of the songs are plain boring melodically speaking, and the lyrics get even worse. McCartney's trying, but a few songs are plain sappy. I have no problem with artists writing love songs to their spouses, but a few of these sound like Hallmark greeting cards. If you think 'Silly Love Songs' was a bad song with a great bassline, don't buy the CD, just buy a few tracks from iTunes. If you're a baby boomer who thinks 'Silly Love Songs' was a great song and you love the sound of Radiohead, by all means by this CD.… Expand
  54. 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
  55. RachelD
    Sep 15, 2005
    10
    Pure genius. Macca at his very best.
  56. [Anonymous]
    Sep 14, 2005
    10
    I hear the Beatles!
  57. DanielB
    Sep 14, 2005
    9
    Every song on the album is great, which is rare nowadays. Paul's definitely still got it!
  58. 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!!
  59. 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.
  60. MudMud
    Sep 14, 2005
    7
    Not bad, but still not his best. I don't know what all ths Band on the Run talk is either. Ram is easily his best album.
  61. XavierB
    Sep 14, 2005
    10
    Its a great album.
  62. MichaelA
    Sep 14, 2005
    10
    I have never heard Pauls inner voices and feelings so naked.
  63. 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!
  64. SoterS
    Sep 14, 2005
    10
    a grower, mature, beautiful, simple, great production, well crafted top5 best,,,well done for 63
  65. 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"
  66. 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
  67. FrankSinatra
    Sep 14, 2005
    10
    This is one of his best albums. And critics are still underrating him. Silly.
  68. radar
    Sep 14, 2005
    10
    This is Quality! Listen, for god's sake! RollingStone, and other reviewers, really show their ignorance when they rate Stones' poor honkytonkish "a bigger bang" higher than this masterpiece from Paul. Something wrong with your ears? F***ing ignorants!
  69. 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.
  70. 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
  71. 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
  72. MattB
    Sep 12, 2005
    9
    This is a beautifuly organic album from Macca. "Jenny Wren" and "Anyway" are beautiful.
  73. idigworms
    Sep 12, 2005
    10
    His best in a long while.
  74. simond
    Sep 12, 2005
    8
    no band on the run by any means but highly listenable.
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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 »