Search - Wings, Paul McCartney :: Speed of Sound

This is the album that inspired the old joke, "Q: When did Paul McCartney write 'Silly Love Songs?' A: 1976 'til now." Released on the eve of McCartney's triumphant American tour, it enjoyed a long stay at the top of the charts, thanks to the tour hype and the success of the aforementioned single and its cousin, the equally innocuous, if ever more infectious, "Let 'Em In." But it was a tepid success at best, especially on the promising heels of Band on the Run and Venus and Mars. Even a great, unheralded McCartney rocker, "Beware My Love" can't rescue the remainder from Paul's sometimes maddening affection for syrupy sentiment and sonic treacle. The three bonus cuts here are arguably better than most of the album cuts: the charming instrumentals "Walking in the Park with Eloise" (penned by Paul's dad) and "Bridge on the River Suite" were originally credited to the Country Hams (featuring McCartney teamed with Nashville legends Chet Atkins and Floyd Cramer), while "Sally G" was the country-fied B-side to "Junior's Farm." --Jerry McCulley