I remember hearing Paul McCartney for the first time. It was a strange song called “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer”. I was hooked, and I’ve been a huge fan ever since. I’ve even seen him live.

     Due to my appreciation for the legendary ex-beatle, I looked forward to his latest release, the album Egypt Station. I love the musician, but my expectations may have been too high.

     When Jeff Lynne put out his last album, I was blown away, and I had developed the notion that another old rocker, such as Paul McCartney, could put together an album that catered to his strengths, not just trying to remain relevant.

     McCartney appeared on The Late Late Show for Carpool Karaoke, a skit that is used to push latest releases and inflate popularity. I was afraid that he would make this album too focused on appealing to the “hip young folks” that watch the show.

     When I listened to it, I wasn’t surprised. I wasn’t blown away. I wasn’t hooked. I was indifferent to the production quality. I felt a lack of the “McCartney factor” that made the new collection sound like the background soundtrack to an indie film.

     Don’t get me wrong: Paul McCartney is an idol of mine and one of the greatest composers of our time. Egypt Station just sounded overproduced. I wished some of the songs, such as “I Don’t Know,” were made to sound a little more acoustically.

     I do in fact think there is potential in the songs. The piano is lovely in almost all of them. But some of the lyrics sound like they were just forced to rhyme.

     Again, the songwriting of Sir Paul McCartney is exquisite. However it is the production and forced modern sound that I’m not thrilled about. Specifically, the percussion is a bit over done.

  Songs like “Come on to Me” and “Hand in Hand” showed off an old Paul that was very fun to hear, and I would even listen to on a few occasions. “Happy with You”, detailing McCartney’s recovery from substance abuse is also well done. “Dominoes”, without such loud drums, could have easily been an early 70s Wings track.

     Overall, it’s a seven out of ten.

     Sir Paul McCartney will never fail to impress me with his songwriting ability and this album, with the exception of one or two songs My only wish is that the overproduction was cut back. If these were performed live or in an acoustic setting, it would be an easy nine.

     I’d recommend a listen for the diehard fans, but if I were trying to get someone into Paul, I’d much rather throw his music with with the Beatles or Wings at them.