Macca's 'dance' preview

Paul McCartney speaks on latest The Fireman album Electric Arguments

09 October 2008 - At Abbey Road studios, in London, about 50 journalists packed into the various studios to listen to Sir Paul McCartney's latest offering under the guise of The Fireman.

In case you don't know, its his 'dance' collaboration with bassist and dance producer Youth.

So far the pair have two albums, 1993's Strawberries Oceans Ships Forest and 1998's Rushes, which were both instrumental releases comprising of ambient electronic tracks.

Dressed in a grey suit and a pair of navy blue trainers, Sir Paul popped in to answer questions and chat to people after the listen, saying: "What I like about cooking with Youth, is that I trust him. I trust his judgement. He made it all very simple."

He admitted that he'd spent time in his recording studios in Sussex and that he did write and record every song in a day.

The whole process took just over a year with the ex Beatle playing all the instruments: "I've always had a song, melody, lyrics, title. But the process was to throw everything at Youth and just have fun."

This is the first of all three albums that has included lyrics, and Sir Paul said that he'd been inspired by words in a poetry book.

He added that when he got into the studio, Youth encouraged him to improvise and go with it: "This could be a terrible mistake. It could ruin my whole career. This could be the most embarrassing moment of my life.

"Having written so much over the years, when I'm improvising I think I can spot what works."

Sir Paul did say that he'd like to do a collaboration with Bob Dylan, because he's inspirational, but whether it would work in reality, is a completely different story.

He told reporters that it would have to be an organic collaboration.

"I think he's a cool guy"
Sir Paul McCartney on Youth.

A studio source described Electric Arguments as, "Arcade Fire meets Led Zeppelin," according to the Telegraph, an interesting conclusion to draw.

The opening track, Nothing Too Much Just Out Of Sight, definitely lends to some classic rock, kicking off with a screaming wail - but then everything is slowed down entirely with the second tune, Two Magpies.

My personal favourite track comes in at 13 with, Don't Stop Running.

The track starts off very slow and then builds and Sir Paul uses the full range of his voice during the verse and twists into a low range during the chorus.

There are 13 tracks on this album, but there's also a hidden 14th tune, which resembles an alien fight, with laser blasters going off while birds sing in the trees.

Overall, I quite enjoyed this record, as it did take you to very different states of mind while listening, and that includes the dogs barking and whispering words.

If you like Coldplay's eclectic mix on Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends, you'll like this album.

Electric Arguments is out in November, see below for tracklisting:

1. Nothing Too Much Just Out Of Sight
2. Two Magpies
3. Sing The Changes
4. Travelling Light
 5. Highway
6. Light From Your Lighthouse
7. Sun is Shining
 8. Dance 'Til We're High
9. Lifelong Passion
10. Is This Love?
11. Lovers In A Dream
12. Universal Here, Everlasting Now
13. Don't Stop Running

Chi Chi Izundu