Chaos and Creation in the Backyard
| Chaos and Creation in the Backyard | |||||
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Cover photo by Mike McCartney
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| Studio album by Paul McCartney | |||||
| Released | September 13, 2005 | ||||
| Recorded | September 2003 – April 2005 at RAK Studios, London, Ocean Way Studios, Los Angeles and AIR Studios, London | ||||
| Genre | |||||
| Length | 46:53 | ||||
| Label |
Parlophone (UK) Capitol (US) |
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| Producer | Nigel Godrich | ||||
| Paul McCartney chronology | |||||
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| Paul McCartney studio album chronology | |||||
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| Singles from Chaos and Creation in the Backyard | |||||
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| Alternative cover | |||||
Special Edition paper sleeve (CD with DVD). It features an ambigram of McCartney's name
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Aggregate scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 78/100 |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   |
| Blender | |
| Robert Christgau |  |
| Entertainment Weekly | B |
| The Essential Rock Discography | 6/10 |
| The Guardian | |
| Los Angeles Times | |
| The Music Box |  |
| NME | 6/10 |
| People |
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| PopMatters |   |
| Q | |
| Rolling Stone | |
| Stylus Magazine | A |
| USA Today | |
Chaos and Creation in the Backyard is the thirteenth solo studio album by Paul McCartney (discounting his Wings-era discography, his classical works and his output as the Fireman), released in 2005. A long time in the making, the set was produced by Radiohead and Beck collaborator Nigel Godrich at George Martin's suggestion.
McCartney plays almost all of the instruments, similar to his 1970 album McCartney and the 1980 McCartney II album. In addition, Chaos and Creation in the Backyard marks the first time since 1984's Give My Regards to Broad Street that McCartney was not involved in producing one of his studio albums.
Chaos and Creation in the Backyard was McCartney's last rock album release for longtime label EMI. He signed a deal with Hear Music, owned by Starbucks, in March 2007. He later returned to his old label Capitol Records in 2016.
McCartney said that the song "Friends to Go" is influenced by, and dedicated to George Harrison.
Upon being asked to produce an album with McCartney, Godrich admitted:
The two tentatively began a collaboration, recording the songs "This Never Happened Before" and "Follow Me" which was enough to convince both of them that they could develop an album. Godrich's participation was active: he inspired McCartney to write the song "At the Mercy", added piano loops on "How Kind of You" and worked with McCartney to slow the tempo of "Riding to Vanity Fair" which McCartney says "changed the mood completely". Although initially taken aback, McCartney appreciated Godrich's tenacity and honesty.
According to McCartney, Godrich was at times blunt in his appraisal of McCartney's songs-in-progress during the making of Chaos and Creation in the Backyard:
Recording sessions for the album were done over a long period of time, with many pauses. First sessions were held at RAK Studios, London in September 2003 by McCartney and his band. After a few takes, Godrich said to McCartney he wanted to work with him alone, not involving the band. After some months' break, sessions resumed at Ocean Way Studios, Los Angeles in April 2004, with more sessions in September. Final recordings took place at AIR Studios, London in April 2005.
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Wikipedia