Venus & Mars/Rock Show/Love In Song/You Gave Me The Answer/Magneto & Titanium Man/Letting Go/Venus & Mars Reprise/Spirits Of Ancient Egypt/Medicine Jar/Call Me Back Again/Listen To What The Man Said/Treat Her Gently-Lonely Old People/Crossroads Theme
The high expectations generated over the release of Paul McCartney’s Venus & Mars were never quite realised. Although by no means a weak album the only stand out track is the US chart topper Listen To What The Man Said. (US:1 UK:1)
“A big seller for McCartney and his fictional band - I say fictional because it was all about him. McCartney knows his way around melodies and is eager to prove himself, but when it comes down to it, it just doesn't make coherent statement or collection of memorable songs. If pressed to choose something from this album, only Listen To What The Man Said has a completely finished frame, the rest is unfortunately weak and lifeless.”
“A good record to be sure but a lot of these tracks don't do much for me. There is a lot of experimenting with different sounds and genres and it makes the whole package feel unfocused.”
“Venus & Mars is a very popular album with Wings fans but for some reason I have never enjoyed listening to it very much. I think the problem is that although there are no really bad tracks there are no truly outstanding ones either.”
“Some of the music on this album is pretty good, but why does Paul insist on writing such childishly silly lyrics, and sing them like they're the greatest things he's ever written? Magneto & Titanium Man is a prime example.”
“This has the feel of a concept album but I'm not sure what the concept is meant to be, unless it's pure, simple, fun pop. It opens atmospherically with Venus & Mars and Rock Show continuing with a string of fantastic tunes. There are a couple of slow ballads in the shape of Love In Song and Treat Her Gently which sit comfortably with the livelier numbers. Paul wrote some very catchy tunes for this album and the sound is well produced, making good, liberal use of brass and synthesizer effects.”
“He had already experienced with stylistic variations in some other albums, but this time he got it right: The strength lies not in the lyrics, but in the melodies and arrangements, very well-crafted, carefully thought through for each passage, and overall a nice experience that reveals secrets with each repeated listen.”
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