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.
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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 »