User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Driving Rain
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Driving Rain Image
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 37 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the former Beatle's first album of original recordings since 1997's 'Flaming Pie.'

Top Track

I Do
If you only knew How much it meant to me You'd understand And I would feel Your love was true This is all I want This is all I need This is all I... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List »
Powered by

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Mojo
    90
    A satisfying, and often very moving, body of work. [Dec 2001, p.100]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Dot Music
    70
    Sir Paul is largely on top form.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.

See all 12 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 17
  3. Negative: 1 out of 17
  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. MickP.
    Dec 14, 2001
    10
    One of Sir Paul's best!
  4. AlexA
    Nov 21, 2006
    10
    Up there, among the best Macca records.
  5. BillR.
    Jan 3, 2002
    8
    Excellent display of talent
  6. JohnL
    Jul 24, 2006
    8
    This is such an expansive work, that it has a real White Album feel to it...That said it isn't the White Album (an undeniable "10" if This is such an expansive work, that it has a real White Album feel to it...That said it isn't the White Album (an undeniable "10" if there ever was one !), but it's high points sit well with the best of McCartney's later work...which is sadly very overlooked and underated. Since '89's Flowers in the Dirt he has made consistently excellent albums. This is so broad and varied that it will hold both a mojority of wonders for most, and a some stuff that won't appeal as much. For me it wasn't that as much as I thought there was just so much, that some of it was just lesser, and less sucessful sort of filler...but there wasn't that much of that compared to the great stuff. Had it been a shorter and tighter work it might have been the "10" that "Chaos & Creation in the Backyard" turned out to be...it feels like what Chaos would have been had they included all those many b-sides on the regular release. Still a great album with much to offer.… Expand
  7. SantiagoS
    Aug 29, 2003
    8
    One of the best records Paul has ever done. Kind of going back to the midseventies (harsh voice, rough guitars), and at the same plenty of One of the best records Paul has ever done. Kind of going back to the midseventies (harsh voice, rough guitars), and at the same plenty of experimentalism and odd things (Indian touches, long jams, backwards tapes). And, of course, family and love.… Expand
  8. JeffD
    Apr 12, 2006
    2
    This is just plain awful. From the inanity of the title track's "1-2-3-4-5, Let's go for a drive" to the inanity of "I Do", This is just plain awful. From the inanity of the title track's "1-2-3-4-5, Let's go for a drive" to the inanity of "I Do", "Spinning on An Axis" and "Heather". Saved from a rating of 1 only by standouts "Lonley Road", "Your Loving Flame", and "Rinse the Raindrops". If you were a fan of "Back to the Egg" this is the album for you. If you were a fan of "Flowers in the Dirt" you'll be very disappointed.… Expand

See all 17 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

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