Memory Almost Full possesses a wealth of songs, showcasing Macca's legendary talents for melody. But the greatest rewards come when he focuses his attention on the concerns of the 65-year-old musician.
Think back to the SNL skit where a bewildered Chris Farley interviewed Sir Paul.
"Remember when you were in the Beatles?"
"Yes."
"That was awesome!"
McCartney shares that bewilderment in "That Was Me": "Sweating cobwebs/In the cellar/On TV/That was me."
"The End of the End," meanwhile, would sound maudlin coming from a twentysomething. But in McCartney's hands, it's a rumination on mortality that makes for an enlightening chunk of pop.
The album peaks on its closer, "Nod Your Head," a ferocious rocker sung to someone too sick to lift her head off a pillow. The aggression is shocking, given McCartney's preference for strings and minor chords in the face of loss. It's a terrific closer to a solid album.
