User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Chaos And Creation In The Backyard
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Chaos And Creation In The Backyard Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 271 Ratings

  • Summary: Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich helms the bassist's 20th post-Beatles album, which finds McCartney in true solo mode, playing every instrument on these 13 songs.

Top Track

Promise To You Girl
Looking through the backyard of my life Time to sweep the fallen leaves away Like the sun that rises every day We can chase the dark clouds from the... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List ยป
Powered by

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Stylus Magazine
    100
    Never in his career has McCartney seemed more serious in tone and more aware of the play of his lyrics as poetry.
  2. Uncut
    90
    These are McCartney's most arresting songs for a long, long while. [Oct 2005, p.94]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. The Guardian
    80
    For all the nods to the past, not a note of Chaos and Creation in the Back Yard comes close to Beatle standards: it's an intriguing diversion rather than a major addition to the canon. What it has is a sense of purpose, lovely tunes in abundance, and charm.
  4. Los Angeles Times
    75
    This is the intimate McCartney in the vein of his 1970 solo debut or "London Town," and the comfort allowed him to be as unguarded as he's ever been. [4 Sep 2005]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Dot Music
    70
    No one was expecting Godrich to turn this noble British pop institution into Radiohead, of course. But the glimpses of greatness are enough to leave you wishing that bottle had prevailed and more in the vein of "Too Much Rain" had resulted.
  6. Q Magazine
    70
    He's found some endearing and unexpectedly affecting songs. [Oct 2005, p.120]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Blender
    40
    It's rather straight where [his 1970 debut] was eccentric and charming. [Oct 2005, p.139]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 19 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 161 out of 174
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 174
  3. Negative: 6 out of 174
  1. thegetaway
    Apr 15, 2021
    10
    What a beautiful, introspective and bittersweet album, containing some of the most gorgeous falsetto vocals I've ever heard. I consider thisWhat a beautiful, introspective and bittersweet album, containing some of the most gorgeous falsetto vocals I've ever heard. I consider this to be Sir Paul McCartney's greatest work since Band on the Run.… Expand
  2. NeilG
    Oct 7, 2005
    10
    I'd give it a 9 for production, though, but the songs are great!
  4. L.Z.
    Sep 15, 2005
    10
    Beautiful and amazing!
  5. Jeff
    Feb 11, 2006
    10
    Incredible CD!!!
  6. 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
  7. AnthonyW
    Nov 15, 2005
    9
    Great CD ... gets better with each listen. These are mature songs.
  8. VazquezA
    Sep 18, 2005
    0
    This is a horrible cd.

See all 174 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

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