Paul McCartneyis undoubtedly one of music’s most influential and masterful songwriters. In his career with The Beatles, the bass player’s lyrics blossomed from simplistic pop to poetic reflections on the state of the world. The dissolution of the super group afforded Paul McCartney the opportunity to venture beyond the sound identity of The Beatles and explore a new frontier of synthesizers and genre-bending.

Across Macca’s 24 albums, it is difficult to find a work that is truly “bad.” Not all of his albums live up to his full creative and technical potential, but each record contains moments of excellence and enjoyment. Across 55 years of songwriting, McCartney has created both masterpieces and albums that are simply average.

24Press To Play

Cliché ’80s Album

Although this album performed well with critics when it was initially released,it is not a very controversial take today to say this is McCartney’s worst album. The album lacks originality and the authenticity that makes Paul McCartney albums exceptional.

The songs are somehow both busy and bland, and they have nothing new to offer to the decade that was more than halfway over.

The production is very heavy-handed. The electronic drums, screeching saxophone, and echoing guitars make this album sound tacky. Fans tend to agree that “Press” is a top contender for the worst Paul McCartney song ever written.

The songs are somehow both busy and bland, and they have nothing new to offer to the decade that was more than halfway over. It says a lot thatMacca never replicated this ’80s sound again in his career.

23Driving Rain

McCartney’s Rush Job

This album was recorded in only two weeks, and it is incredibly evident when you listen to it. McCartney is such a strong songwriter that it is not void of enjoyment, buteverything feels like an afterthought.

The pixelated digital album cover, the barely intelligible vocal delivery, and at times sloppy instrumentals make this album stand out like a sore thumb in McCartney’s discography.

22Ocean’s Kingdom

McCartney Scores A Ballet

The critiques of Paul McCartney’s classical music are countless. It would not be out of the realm of possibility for reviewers to throw all of his classical albums at the very bottom of their rankings. However, for his musical background and experience,they hold more merit than McCartney is ever given credit for.

That being said,Ocean’s Kingdom,created for the ballet of the same name, is McCartney’s worst classical album. The production certainly captures the vastness of the ocean, but it lacks the melodic genius that makes McCartney so unique. Some may consider this his best classical work, butit is very impersonal and therefore lacks McCartney’s greatest songwriting talents.

21Standing Stone

A Classical Album Inspired By McCartney’s Poetry

Paul McCartneydid not seem to improve in classical music compositionafter his first try withLiverpool Oratorio.On this album, without the help of an experienced composer, McCartney created a score for a poem he wrote about a Celtic man ruminating on the mysteries of life.

If that sounds boring, try to experience it without the assistance of words, visuals, or memorable melodies.The work feels stilted, repetitive, and dullin comparison to the rock that flows freely from Macca.

20CHOBA B CCP

The Russian Album

People often refer to this album as “the Russian album,” butits contents are unrelated to the nation. The album consists of live ’50s rock covers and was released exclusively in Russia. The title is “Back In The USSR” in Russian.

It sounds like you’ve caught Paul McCartney doing karaoke with a live band in a piano bar.

It is evident that McCartney is having fun on this record, celebrating some of his favorite rock songs, but the product is lackluster. It sounds like you’ve caught Paul McCartney doing karaoke with a live band in a piano bar.

19Memory Almost Full

The Project BeforeChaos And Creation In The Backyard

Paul McCartney left this collection of songs to collect dust while he worked on the superior album,Chaos And Creation In The Backyard.The album is not very cohesivein terms of sound, theme, or style until it becomes a five-song suite in its latter half. However, it contains many solid and enjoyable tracks.

Across McCartney’s large discography, this album is not the best display of everything he is capable of.It would be dramatic to call this a bad album, but it is not a stand-out work.

A Decent Movie Soundtrack

Give My Regards To Broad Street, the 100% Paul McCartney-funded movie and soundtrack album, were bothcomplete commercial and critical failures. McCartney is so many things, but one thing he is not is a screenwriter. However, that did not stop him from giving it a whirl.

The songs are just as bland as the movie. The songs were inspired by a movie lacking depth andthe songs suffer as a result. The arrangement and instrumentation are not terribly original and sound like any other ’80s rock album.

17Run Devil Run

Paul Plays The Covers

In 1991, Paul McCartney released an album that’s almost entirely covers,Run Devil Run, which pays tribute to the rock ‘n’ roll of the ’50s. As far as cover albums go, it is more than decent, andthe songs written in the ’50s style are very enjoyable.

On this album,Paul McCartney struggles not to do impressions of the singers he is covering. It sounds like going to see Paul McCartney in a touring sock hop group. With his musical talent and knowledge, it would be difficult to truly botch a cover, and it is evident that he put love into this project.

16Liverpool Oratario

McCartney’s First Classical Album

You might expect a rock musician’s first foray into classical music would be a failure, butPaul McCartney knows when he needs a little help from his friends. McCartney composed this work with the help of Carl Davis, a composer with an extensive and impressive portfolio of work.

This work is much more dynamic than those that McCartney has made himself, butit does lack a personal charm that makes Macca’s work so appealing.

15Kisses On The Bottom

McCartney’s Standards

Kisses On The Bottomfeatures Paul McCartney singing beloved jazz and pop standards. Unless something goes horribly wrong,any cover album is going to be a pleasant and acceptable listen, and this album is no exception.

I always appreciate McCartney’s passion for all music and his desire to try his hand in all genres.

In the same way that McCartney is not a trained composer,he is not a jazz singer. His performance is not horrible, considering his usual style, and his ability to adapt to the genre is very impressive.

His vocal styling on this album serves to age him more than even more recent albums likeMcCartney III. I always appreciate McCartney’s passion for all music and his desire to try his hand in all genres.