Kisses on the Bottom
by Paul McCartney
  • Record Label: Mercury
  • Release Date: Feb 7, 2012
Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 26
  3. Negative: 2 out of 26
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  1. Mojo
    Feb 27, 2012
    60
    The album works because McCartney treats the material with respect, exuding charm by the bucket-load. [Mar 2012, p.94]
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  2. Clash Music
    Feb 15, 2012
    60
    It's got a sweet, easy intimacy.
  3. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Feb 14, 2012
    40
    He has always played it warm and safe, but in this album, he is playing it warmer and safer than ever....Lukewarm this album is, indeed.
  5. American Songwriter
    Feb 13, 2012
    60
    It's warmly, immaculately recorded, featuring a wealth of tasty cocktail pop atmosphere perfect for sipping wine on the couch late at night or reclining with a book in a bay window on a lazy Sunday afternoon. It's fine, it's dandy, and it's completely inessential.
  6. Consequence
    Feb 10, 2012
    60
    Kisses on the Bottom is a respectable collection from a pop mastermind.
  7. NOW Magazine
    Feb 9, 2012
    40
    His usually formidable voice could have saved it, but he often sounds like he's struggling to hit the notes.
  8. Boston Globe
    Feb 7, 2012
    60
    The album is inconsequential.
  9. AllMusic
    Feb 7, 2012
    60
    As a vocalist, this may not be his natural forte, but he takes great care with the songs, and that palpable love is enough to make Kisses on the Bottom worth a spin or two.
  10. The A.V. Club
    Feb 7, 2012
    58
    Here they sound like preludes to a nice cup of tea and an afternoon nap.
  11. PopMatters
    Feb 7, 2012
    60
    Kisses on the Bottom may only get you about halfway there, flowers in hand wondering whether a second date is on the cards, unsure if that's even what you want at all.
  12. Rolling Stone
    Feb 7, 2012
    60
    McCartney is better transforming influences than mirroring them.
  13. Chicago Tribune
    Feb 6, 2012
    50
    These songs are meant to swing, but McCartney lets them plod.
  14. Drowned In Sound
    Feb 6, 2012
    50
    Such relaxed saunters down musical memory lane have been done before, and often better.
  15. Los Angeles Times
    Feb 6, 2012
    50
    Gentle on the ears and soft on the heart, Kisses might be of no greater or lesser consequence than an easygoing golf outing among friends or a weekend spent digging a garden near the back fence, but its pleasures, though small and sleepy, can be gratifying.
  16. The Observer (UK)
    Feb 6, 2012
    40
    These standards have a lot still to say--if only they sang a little more potently here.
  17. The Independent (UK)
    Feb 3, 2012
    40
    The lite-jazz treatment of standards on Kisses on the Bottom seems like a misstep.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 32 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 32
  3. Negative: 2 out of 32
  1. CircleGuy
    Feb 8, 2012
    8
    This album is something very special for me, and I didn't know it would be until I listened to it. It made me remember my early years spentThis album is something very special for me, and I didn't know it would be until I listened to it. It made me remember my early years spent running around my grandparentsâ… Full Review »
  2. Unlikely_logic
    Mar 21, 2022
    8
    An Amazing album by Paul mccartney It has some amazing covers of jazz standards
  3. warrenworld
    May 4, 2014
    8
    Sir Paul's passion for these ancient love tunes is the driving force in his vocal performance on this album, which is an admiral trait thatSir Paul's passion for these ancient love tunes is the driving force in his vocal performance on this album, which is an admiral trait that makes it difficult to anyone to criticize the dragged-down pace and tone.… Full Review »
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