record reviews

Paul McCartney

Album: “Pure McCartney”

Grade: A

Paul McCartney reviews his post-Beatle albums on “Pure McCartney,” a quirky mix of 67 hits and personal favorites that’s both delightful and baffling.

With more than 300 songs to choose from since his 1970 solo debut, Sir Paul’s anthology confirms his incomparable gift for melody, has catchy songs far beyond the hits and combines eclectic picks with notable absences.

The compilation is McCartney’s own mixtape, one version of how he sees his career. Just like the fans, McCartney has favorites among his hits and album cuts. Eight tracks from “Flaming Pie” and five from “New” while none from “Flowers in the Dirt” or “Driving Rain” indicate clear preferences.

Still, “Pure McCartney” is a substantial, honest and gratifying introduction to the long and winding career of a pop-music giant, a tasting menu whetting the appetite for more.

—Pablo Gorondi, Associated Press

Little Big Town

Album: “Wanderlust”

Grade: B-

Little Big Town, country music’s top vocal group, achieved widespread fame by continually taking artistic risks and pushing boundaries. With “Wanderlust,” they step out even further, working with hitmaking producer Pharrell Williams to create an album of contemporary pop and dance music.

On the surface, the new partners complement each other well: Pharrell brings his deceptively simple beats and sunny melodies, as heard on the single “One of Those Days” and album opener “One Dance”; Little Big Town’s sublime vocal blend sounds great in this setting, as their harmonies and layered voices highlight the melodic uplift and rhythmic verve of the arrangements, especially on the gospel-drawn power of “C’mon” and the light Jamaican touch in “Work.”

What’s missing is the emotional weight Little Big Town has brought to their best work, such as the Grammy-winning “Girl Crush.” Nor is anything on the eight-song “Wanderlust” quite as effervescent or engaging as previous hits “Pontoon” and “Day Drinking.”

“Wanderlust” presents plenty of joyful escape and playful fun. But nothing on the lightweight collection measures up to the group’s best work.

—Michael McCall, Associated Press