Bruce Beatlefan (March 12, 2006)

Rock and Roll experts who write for Rolling Stone or write their own books are so uniform in their scathing for everything Paul was doing at this stage of his career that I feel somewhat timid about stating how much I enjoy this album. Funny thing is, most of the "expert's" specific criticisms about Paul (undisciplined musical noodling, lack of substantive messages, etc.) I find myself agreeing with...and loving the music anyway. Back to the Egg is a flawed and sometimes foolish album which I play continually, with great pleasure. "I'm Getting Closer" is irresistable--nobody can churn out these songs like Paul McCartney. "Spin it Out", "Old Siam Sir" and "To You" are eccentricities seeming to carry on a weird phase begun with side two of the London Town album. All make for great listening. The real prize is Denny Laine's sassy "Again and Again and Again" which is Wings' best "party" track since the Band on the Run album. Two great disappointments mar this album and keep it from being truly great: One of Paul's most beautiful and haunting melodies ever, "Winter Rose", abruptly quits after one verse and one chorus to segue into the limpid "Love Awake", and the closing rocker "So Glad to See You Hear" starts off like the second coming of "Back in the USSR" and then inexplicably drives off the road and changes into a reprise of the album's weakest song, "We're Open Tonight". "Baby's Request" is great, as is the bonus track "Daytime Nighttime Suffering". Despite it's flaws, Paul and company are in superb form for this album.

John (July 14, 2005)

McCartney tries to do Led Zeppelin with this album. One his his most polished and well produced albums. It sounds great from beginning to end.
Getting Closer rocks although the lyrics are ridiculous but who can understand them anyway.
Old Siam Sir. I don't know what the hell he's going on about but I like it.
Arrow Through Me. A rocking Paul love song.
Rockestra and To You kick off side two. Oh never mind. That was in the days of vinyl. Anyway, it's just Paul rocking some more.
Give this CD a listen. You just may like it.

Dave (June 25, 2005)

One of Wings best albums...and largely overlooked. It makes a truly eclectic mix.

The production is superb and Mccartney's voice is at it's effortless best, particularly on "Million Miles". The band is tight and at it's most rocking. Listen to "Reception" and the instrumental breaks in "Old Siam, Sir" for evidence. "Baby's Request" makes for a great, end-of-the evening jazzy pastice.

Great

Harry (May 27, 2004)

A brilliant rocking album that sounds superb on headphones. One of Paul's best efforts.

To nitpick, the "we're open tonight" bits drag on a little too long on the track So Glad To See You Here. And, I'm not a huge fan of Love Awake. Those gripes aside the rest of the album is a joy and a pleasure to listen to. Fantastic.

Better than the reviews (April 23, 2010)

Okay--the Beatles were greater than the sum of their parts, and with McCartney's solo work, it's pretty clear how he benefited from being in that band--mostly from Lennon and George Martin's production. McCartney has written some of the best "tunes" around, but he has a tendency to knock off lyrics that seem pretty good, but then he'll throw in a word like "salamander," and you just go, wtf--or another one you'll remember... turn on your 'motor' of love? Or one part of a song will be catchy and interesting, and then he'll get to the chorus, and once again, wtf? He needed someone to say "everything you write isn't perfect--maybe try a different word there." Or suggest the next place to go, musically speaking. Macca went straight from the Beatles to creating Wings because he valued the band dynamic. However, he never benefited from it because he never picked people who were his musical peers, so he ended up with Linda and a succession of Ringos when he really needed another Lennon (yes, I know there's only one Lennon, and he wasn't perfect either as his inconsistent solo work proves--I'm just saying Macca didn't have anyone around him who could challenge him musically. As a result, his solo work is hit-or-miss, and even most of his really good solo songs could've been masterpieces if he'd had anyone who could've done that for him).

That said, Back to the Egg is a better album than most of the reviewers say. Yes, it has fluff, and "again and again and again" can start to grate on you, but most of the fluff is tuneful and listenable. The good songs, however, are really catchy, and a number of them could be Beatleworthy (with some Lennon fixes in there, that is)--To You, So Glad to See You Here, Spin it On, Arrow Through Me, and the little medley near the end. My Baby's Request is another period piece McCartney likes so much--like Honey Pie. And of course, Getting Closer, which is one of my all-time favorite Macca rockers (except for the wtf "salamander" line--the "cattle beware of snipers" is another one). Plus, on the reissue, you get Daytime and Night-time Suffering and Wonderful Christmastime, both of which would've made the original release stronger. Another strength this album has is that it's mostly rock oriented, and it doesn't sound dated like a lot of stuff sounds from this period. The only synth song is Arrow Through Me. The reissue's been remastered, and whoever was at the console really cranked up the midrange for some reason--but you can eq that down a notch or two and be fine.

But my point here is this--if you go to Allmusic or some other critic site, they give Macca albums like Red Rose Speedway, Venus and Mars, McCartney II, and London Town four stars. I've owned them all, and they're pretty much unlistenable, except for a radio song or two. (Red Rose is the worst--its radio song is that smaltzy bit of tripe "My Love"--my love does it good? Whoa whoa whoa whoa? Maybe it was better in 1973.) Venus and Mars actually has some good tunes, but most of them are on Wings Over America, and the arrangement's a lot better on that album. I understand where those critics are coming from--looking at an album like you would critique a novel--the total package, and I buy their claims that these albums were influential on later artists--I particularly see that with Ram, which still holds up pretty well. On the other hand, Egg doesn't seem like a congealed statement, or introduce a new "sound" or approach to making an album--but it IS loaded with a lot of catchy songs. It's not true that mediocre McCartney is better than most artist's best work, although some feel that to be the case. But when Macca's good, there's no one better. I suppose that's why I keep buying his stuff, hoping for at least one or two gems amid the shmaltz and half-finished ideas. Back to the Egg is an exceptional Macca album in that regard. With a couple of exceptions, it's just an enjoyable listen.

Back to the Egg Paul McCartney and Wings (June 8, 2009)

Although this may not have been the biggest selling album that Wings put out, it is definately worth purchasing. It was recorded around the time that the London Town album was recorded (on a yacht in the Montserot Islands)and has some great songs on it. Arrow Through Me and I've Had Enough were the hits from this album, but the Rockestra songs as well as the contributions from Denny Laine make it a great album.
Lots of rock and roll and entertainment value for the money. Recommended!!

Marginal Thumbs Up For This One (May 31, 2009)

There's some filler on here, but there's enough to like, from "Getting Closer", to the rockin' "Old Siam, Sir" to the catchy "To You". The best song on the record IMHO is "Arrow Through Me", very catchy and well sung. And of course there's the perennial holiday hit, "Wonderful Christmastime".

Beware of filler though with Paul. "Spin It On"/"Again and Again and Again" and pretty much everything after "To You" is just bland and repetitive.

Vegetative-State, Retarded Critics... (October 9, 2008)

...panned this album. When this album came out in '79 I remember loving it from the word go. I was 12-13 at the time and was just starting to get into rock-n-roll. I'm 41 now and when I see two-star ratings I just shake my head and wonder how good all of those other Wings albums must be (I've only ever owned BTTE and BOTR and Greatest Hits).

The thing is, I don't even like 'better' albums like Band On The Run. I can hardly stand to listen to it when I have a choice of it or Back To The Egg. The choice is clear.

As for Disco songs, I don't really hear Disco in anything here. This is a rockin' album. Favorite songs are 'Getting Closer', 'Old Siam Sir', 'So Glad To See You Here' and others. Listen, I don't buy albums unless the entire thing is good and, well, it's been almost 30 years and this is still something I listen to all of the time - like right now for instance.

If you own other McCartney work and are afraid to buy this because of some "expert's" review, just remember Vegetative-State Retarded Critics are everywhere.

Back To Rockin - A Bit (September 17, 2008)

First off I am very sad to see that some Beatles/Mac fans seem to be somewhat dissapointed in this release. I for one was very dissapointed that the album and its single "Getting Closer" did not do very well at least here in the Philly market on its release. The album starts to rock immediately upon pressing start or dropping the diamond for us record junkies. This is a very well put together album that has great rocking tracks as well as its softer side like "Arrow Thru Me". Dennys "Again And Again And Again" make this a TRUE Wings album and not just a McCartney with other musicians playing on it. I do not think this album dissapoints in anyway and I actually find myself playing this one over other Mac and Wings releases. The worst part of this album is that it was the last Wings release. Wings jelled very well on this and in saying this at that time I was waiting in hope the next Wings release, sadly not to be. This is more then an album to complete a collection. I believe it would only take twice to play it and you will be hooked. Without a doubt well worth the purchase and I have to admit I do like it better and it sounds even more together then Venus And Mars and At The Speed Of Sound. Two releases that I would also give 5 stars to as well.