Oh, I almost forgot! But on to this week's entry:

Artist: Paul McCartney
Album: Flowers in the Dirt

OK, so a former Beatle really doesn't count as "obscure", but show of hands, how many people own, or have ever even heard (of), this album? Yeah, that's what I thought. So stay with me here.

For several years of my life, I was a hardcore Beatlemaniac, with a special preference for Paul. I was younger then and dippy songs about love sung by a cute guy really did it for me. I'd be the first to admit, though, that lyrics were never McCartney's strong point. And Wings, while churning out many timeless & beloved hits, was really a shitty band, skill-wise. On Flowers in the Dirt, McCartney's lyrics are far better than usual (boosted by a collaboration with my hero Elvis Costello), and he's got a solid band backing him. Like Play, beautiful melodies, thoughtful lyrics, sweet singing, and rich arrangements combine into a very pleasant musical experience. Well, until the last 3 songs, when it all falls apart on the lyrics front. But still.

Now I can't say this is the album where he turned it all around in his weak areas. Tug of War came years before and is uniformly wonderful (although not as mature lyrically), and Band on the Run, before that, is also terrific, but those were both hitmakers that people have actually heard of, so this is where the "obscure" criteria for these little reviews comes in.

Favorite tracks? Everything up til those last 3 songs. He really should've quit while he was ahead.