Off the Ground

After the success of the studio-intensive Flowers in the Dirt and the mega-success of the extensive tour that followed (captured on Tripping the Live Fantastic), Paul McCartney opted to bring his road band into the studio and, after a few rehearsals, record the new songs live with as few overdubs as possible. Two leftovers from his collaboration with Elvis Costello on Flowers show up here (“Mistress and Maid,” “The Lovers That Never Were”), alongside several pointed political songs, including the excellent and rocking anti–animal cruelty anthem “Looking for Changes” and the prayers for a better world heard on “Hope of Deliverance” and “C’mon People.” This direct way of recording benefits McCartney greatly. He’s a natural musician with impeccable pitch and timing. Therefore, he doesn’t need much (any?) practice, and songs like “I Owe It to You,” “Peace in the Neighborhood,” the piano ballad “Golden Earth Girl,” and the hard rocker “Get Out of My Way” sound fresh and exciting because McCartney is still fresh and excited.