Driving Rain
by Paul McCartney
  • Record Label: Capitol
  • Release Date: Nov 13, 2001
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. AllMusic
    80
    It's a nice blend of the self-conscious Flowers in the Dirt and the organic, natural Flaming Pie, combining the craft of the former with the attitude of the latter.
  2. Billboard
    70
    This set may not satisfy every fan, but it should please those who have hoped that McCartney would branch out from a safe sound.
  3. Blender
    80
    If this collection has a coherent theme, it's the cautious joy of a man making his emotional recovery. [#4, p.119]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. CDNow
    80
    As one would expect, it's the ballads on Driving Rain that wield the greatest power.
  6. Dot Music
    70
    Sir Paul is largely on top form.
  7. E! Online
    67
    While [Linda's] death hangs over much of Driving Rain, Macca's knack for taking a sad song and making it better means tracks like "Lonely Road," "It Must Have Been Magic," "Your Way" and "Back in the Sunshine" are redemption songs, not exercises in self-pity.
  8. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    Way too many of these 16 tunes sound like they were scribbled down right before the band plugged in.
  9. Mojo
    90
    A satisfying, and often very moving, body of work. [Dec 2001, p.100]
    All this publication's reviews
  10. New Musical Express (NME)
    60
    'Driving Rain' is supposed to be raw, spontaneous and unpolished, when in fact it's perfectly pleasant, unable to resist the McCartney default modes of jauntiness and sentimentality.
  11. Rolling Stone
    80
    McCartney has embraced the small-combo spirit that made Run Devil Run, his 1999 album of rock & roll covers, such a triumph.
  12. The A.V. Club
    60
    It's more or less business as usual, with a few highlights balancing a fair amount of filler.
  13. Uncut
    60
    Possibly a grower, this album is certainly better than anything Macca's done for some while. [Jan 2002, p.131]
    All this publication's reviews

Awards & Rankings

90
#90 Best Album of 2001
45
#45 Most Discussed Album of 2001
83
#83 Most Shared Album of 2001

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 37 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 37
  3. Negative: 6 out of 37
  1. DanteLennon
    Mar 28, 2021
    10
    No words.
    This album is so underrated, are you people are so blind? Every song is unique and amazing, this dark atmosphere is Very enjoyable
  2. SRV04
    Dec 17, 2020
    9
    We can see a serious and mature McCartney, still trying to get over Linda's death.
    This album has very good songs such as Lonely Road, From A    We can see a serious and mature McCartney, still trying to get over Linda's death.
    This album has very good songs such as Lonely Road, From A Lover To A Friend, Driving Rain, I Do, Tiny Bubble, Magic, Your Way and Heather, also having low moments, but as an album it is very good.    … Full Review »
  3. RonaldG.
    Aug 12, 2007
    8
    Lonely Road should have been a #1 hit. McCartney gets experimental and by and large it's enjoyably interesting.
See all user reviews »