Ram (Remastered)

iTunes Review

At the time of this release in 1971, when singer-songwriters were baring their souls, McCartney chose to indulge his pop instincts. From the opening track of “Too Many People,” McCartney wraps himself in mildly psychedelic tones with lots of vocal adventures where his voice sails through the air. “3 Legs” is a minor barnburner blues that exemplifies his playful side. But it’s the gripping, swirling mock-rock of “Monkberry Moon Delight,” the party-in-progress boogie enthusiasm of “Smile Away,” the carefully wrought pop melodicism of “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” and the powerful album closer “The Back Seat of My Car” that best exhibit the complexity and innate professionalism that drives this ex-Beatle. Goofy sidesteps like the horn-driven “Ram On,” the piano-led “Dear Boy” (hear where Ben Folds learned his craft) and the sexually-endowed studio rock of “Eat At Home” find McCartney refusing to take his legacy as seriously as some critics might like. The reissue includes the hit single “Another Day,” proving McCartney’s unerring knack for the perfectly catchy hit single.