Customer Reviews

Rushes

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I heard that a second Fireman album was coming out, I thought "well, I'll have to buy it, as I'm a McCartney completist, but if it's like the first one, I'll probably listen to it just once..." Surprise ! If the first Fireman album is absolutely boring and almost impossible to listen (70 minutes of the same slow theme, with a few variations from one track to another), this one is quite cool ! First of all, the tracks are very different from one to another even if there are a few themes coming back from time to time. And it doesn't sound as cold as the first one, technology here has been used in the right way, to create new, original sounds. Listen to the guitars in "Watercolour guitars", it's beautiful. The title says it all. And you get to hear Paul singing a bit near the end. If only Paul decided to use these experiments in his "regular" songs, (which is more or less what he did with the Beatles) who knows what great things he could create...

"Rushes" is the second album which Paul McCartney released under the pseudonym of The Fireman. Like the first Fireman album, "Strawberries Oceans Ships Forest", it is a collaboration between McCartney and the producer known as Youth. Unlike that album, the style and flow is more varied and has more of an ambient etherial quality to it.
The opening track "Watercolour Guitars" has a very Pink Floyd/"Shine On" feel to it especially in the guitars and spacey electronics. The guitar riff continues on into the next track "Palo Verde" in which a bass pulse emerges along with spoken words from Linda McCartney (her last appearance on one of Paul's albums) as well a subdued rhythm, ambient chords and treated vocals from Paul.
"Auraveda" is a very psychedelic piece which sounds like an outtake from "Magical Mystery Tour" at first. Sounds of handdrums, sitar, harmonium, mellotron and string bass create an acid-soaked collage during the opening half of the piece. Then it suddenly shifts into floating waves of hypnotic synth chords with light percussion. The second half of this piece is similar to ambient artists such as Steve Roach.
"Fluid" is a moody simplitic piece which reminded me somewhat of Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells" especially with its haunting piano lines and repeated guitar phrasings. "Appletree Cinnabar Amber" carries on "Fluid's" guitar line to the next level. Here, Paul adds his steady drumbeat and beefs up the instrumentation. At times, there are hints of "Momma Miss America" from Paul's first solo album.
"Bision" is a short, off-the-cuff piece which again features Paul on drums as well as a distorted bass line and discordant random melodies. This leads into "7AM" which is a continuation of "Auraveda" with a more prominent bass-synth sequence and bits of strings played on the mellotron. The whole album comes full circle with the short coda "Watercolour Rush", a reprise of the guitar line from the album's opening track.
Like his previous Fireman album, there is no information on the CD cover apart from the song titles. However, there is a photo of Paul's backside with the word "Man" written across it in suntan lotion. This is another fine piece of work from Paul McCartney and once again shows off his willingness to create music that is a departure-from-the-norm. This is also another sought-after collector's item. If you're a Paul fan, this is definitely a must-have.

We were always told that John was the most 'avant-garde' Beatle......wrong ! Sir Paul shows that there is more to his music than Flaming Pies with this little gem. The music flows like a river...fast, slow, loud, soft, meandering, restful. Despite being divided into 8 tracks, this works best as one complete work, as musical themes keep re-appearing all the way through. Excellent meditation/yoga/relaxation soundtrack, and the best bit is the surprised expression on your friends' face when you tell them it's actually Sir Paul McCartney......

If you sat through "Life With Lions" or any of the early John & Yoko stuff--even if you heard the first Fireman album and didn't like it--don't let that ruin a chance to hear this superb CD.

Because, unlike the others--This is Music.

McCartney has waited until late in life to explore all those musical avenues everyone said were open to him. Some of it (the Liverpool Oratio, for instance) has been fantastic, others (Standing Stone) not quite so good. But who would have thought, when he was issuing singles like "Girls School," that he would ever be able to stretch himself so strongly?

Rushes is a great, great recrod. Though you won't find yourself singing along or humming it on the way to work, you will find yourself lost in it, wondering where the time went.

I first heard some of this as the lead-in to Macca's "Driving Usa" concert. I was mesmerized, and intrigued about the source of the world-music instrumentals. When various websites pointed me to this cd, I just had to have it. It's a terrific concept album, and the fact that this is the same Sir Paul that we've loved for forty years makes it even more special. He has once again reinvented himself. Buy it, turn the lights down, and let your imagination roam.

Are the other reviewers messing with my head? Is this an acid flashback?

No matter who was involved in the making of this album, it has to be one of the loveliest journeys through muzik-real (just made that up, 'cos I can't think of any other appropriate term at present). When a CD can be so varied and warped and hang together so well, there has to be genius involved somewhere.

A CD to sit down and get to know properly - played it about three times the day I bought it and still play it often when I feel like having a really alternative headspace. Listen to track one on headphones for a semi-hallucinatory audial experience (have seasick pills on hand though).

Hats off to you Sir Paul, if this isn't an acid flashback that is. Never thought a McC CD would make my desert island collection!

This cd brings to mind those early Tangerine Dream albums only this is a bit better. Beautiful guitars with sweeping electronic washes and slow-driving techno beats with mysterious voices meandering in the mix. Some applied adjectives might be: hypnotic, psychedelic, melancholy, deep, and overall, rather mellow. It's very pleasant to listen to, as it might be helpful for coming down from a stressful day. I really like the direction McCartney has taken in the 90's and up to the present with the Fireman cd's, the Liverpool Sound Collage, The Liverpool Oratorio and his paintings. He's back to being an artist extrordinaire and I hope he continues to create great work like this. Indeed- the walrus was Paul! If you haven't yet- read Paul McCartney's biography "Many Years From Now" by Barry Miles. Quite interesting.

Rushes in my opinion is a better work than Strawberries...., however, I like both, and I really recomend this record is wonderfull and makes you feel so good getting relaxed after listened it.

Good save the Fireman!!!!!!!!!.

If you have any doubts about McCartney's genius, listen to this CD. The song "Bison" is incredible and the rest are equally interesting.

Well, I agree with some of the other folks about the first Fireman CD (Strawberries...), it was pointless. I remember listening to the first song and thinking "not bad" but then I hit track 2...3...4...hey wait, it's the same thing, just slight variations. Paul, I missed the point.

But here you give us more to listen too, it is a mood CD for sure, don't play it at a party. My advice for this CD is to listen while staring at the stars on a crystal clear night. Hopefully you'll get a bunch of shooting stars!

I am wondering if this was recorded before Linda died, it probably was because I think I hear her vocals here and there.

Not the usual Macca music, but 10 times better than Wildlife! Hold on to your copy of Strawberries if you have it, it is not in print anymore and is very collectible.