Note: this release was originally purchased as an LP, later replaced by the 2015 2 CD "Archive Collection" remaster.
Sometimes called a companion peace to its predecessor, Tug of War (many songs were recorded at the same sessions), I actually like this record a little better than Tug. It's more poppy and cohesive to my ears. All produced by George Martin. Many critics disagree with me (see below) but so what? There's beautiful ballads, throwbacks to the previous decade and a #1 duet with MJ that had a creepy, incestuous video.
The 2015 remastering sounds great on my CD deck; your mileage may vary. Could the material have fit on one disc? Yes, but that's par for the course on these archive collection releases. Actually, I'm glad the bonus tracks are on a separate disc - most of the time I just want to spin the original album anyway and the fact it is on its own CD makes that much easier.
Press of the time:
- Rolling Stone (★★): "mediocre McCartney"
- Trouser Press: "cute to the point of being sickening"
- Billboard: "another pop-minded collection of ballads and midtempo rockers"
- Stereo Review: "Disappointing"
- Smash Hits (5 out of 10): "It has its moments"
- High Fidelity: "an off-hand effort"
- RPM: "a hit on the day of release"
Album chart peaks:
- US Billboard 200: #15
- Billboard Rock: #34
- Billboard R&B: #49
- CashBox: #12
- Rolling Stone: #8
Tracks: All of what was Side 1 (tracks 1-5) is a winner, particularly the title track. Side 2 (tracks 6-11) has some filler (The Man, Tug of Peace) but a solid listen.
Bonus tracks: the 33 minute bonus disc contains 5 demos (like most demos, they only need to be heard once, if that). This is followed by a needless 2015 remix of Say Say Say which confirms that they got it right the first time. That's followed by Ode to a Koala Bear (b-side to Say Say Say), Twice in a Lifetime (a film theme) and an instrumental track. In other words, nothing to see here; move along. Why wasn't the Jellybean Benitez remix of Say Say Say included?
Personal Memory Associated with this CD: This got a fair amount of play during Christmas break of my senior year in high school, so it's become more of a cold weather album for me. Also, my high school jazz band played a cheesy arrangement of Say Say Say which the world could have done without.
Previously revisited for the blog:
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