Paul McCartney: Ram

Paul McCartney
Ram
Apple; 1971

Contempt for Ram, Paul McCartney’s second solo album after the Beatles split, was so virulent that even Ringo, easily the most gracious of his ex-bandmates, called it “sad” and an indication that Paul was “going strange.” Looking back, it’s easy to see why it inspired such disdain. Acrimony following the band’s breakup a year before was still palpable and certainly wasn’t helped by the tangled legal web the quartet found themselves trying to wriggle free of. What’s more, both the split and the legal proceedings were being blamed on Paul’s megalomania and hunger for control. As for the contents of Ram itself, many critics viewed the somewhat schmaltzy tunes as undeniable proof that McCartney was nothing without Lennon, whose first solo effort, Plastic Ono Band, released a year prior, offered worlds more bite and depth. But time has been kind to Ram, and its boundless creativity is illustrative of McCartney’s invaluable contributions to the Beatles oeuvre: singable, memorable melodies, childlike enthusiasm, and a cozy familiarity that made the quartet seem more like one’s friends rather than untouchable gods. Ram’s biggest hit, the mini-opus “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey,” recalls Abbey Road’s densely-packed, side-two medley, but seemingly tossed-off tracks like “The Back Seat of My Car,” “Dear Boy,” and “Heart of the Country” are just as irresistible. Officially credited to both Paul and Linda McCartney, Ram was remastered and reissued last year to much fanfare, and includes a disc of bonus tracks, the complete Thrillington (a delightful instrumental rendering of the 12 original tunes), and a DVD that features a short, making-of documentary and two promo videos. It’s hard to take an album that includes a song called “Monkberry Moon Delight” very seriously, but that’s just one hint that it never aspired to Let it Be greatness. — T. Bennison