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![[The Fireman - Electric Arguments]](/gfx/cd_electricarguments.jpg "The Fireman - Electric Arguments")
Not all music fans may be aware that the creative force behind the acclaimed music project The Fireman is none other than Paul McCartney, who has collaborated on the concept periodically with influential record producer 'Youth' since 1993.
Their latest album Electric Arguments is an eclectic and varied album consisting of thirteen tracks recorded in thirteen days over the period of nearly a year. Each track was written and recorded in the space of one day. The Fireman went into the studio with no plan or clear direction of how they wanted the album to sound. The project took a life of its own and the results will surprise anyone expecting to hear the previous sound of the band.
Paul will visit HMV's flagship store to sign copies of The Fireman's new album Electric Arguments, which was released last month to much critical acclaim, and is being re-issued this week with exclusive new artwork.
Where: HMV 150 Oxford Street, London W1
When: 10am—11am, Sunday 21st December 2008 * wristband access only—see below
Who/What: Sir Paul McCartney signing copies of Electric Arguments
Please Note: access to the event will be by wristband only, which will be distributed in advance on a limited basis from HMV 150 Oxford Street at 9.00am on Thursday morning, 18th December.
Only copies of Electric Arguments will be signed.
[Source: thefiremanmusic.com]
Electric Arguments - review by Chris Jones
Ten years after Paul McCartney and Martin 'Youth' Glover (ex Killing Joke) released their last collaborative 'mystery disc' under the Fireman moniker (the dancey Rushes) they return. Any right-thinking musicologist may balk at the the wisdom of two bassists working together, but the pair's efforts have always borne interesting fruit. However, anyone expecting Electric Arguments to fit under the same 'experimental' or 'electronic' bracket as previous work may be surprised. Only Universal Here, Everlasting Now's collages are really mind-melting. Much like Eno and Byrne's recent reunion, this album defies expectations by featuring not only vocals and lyrics but, gasp, songs! In fact Electric Arguments is nothing less than a rather fine McCartney solo album, perhaps shoved out under the alias to show a certain label who's really boss. Whatever, it's a spry 13-track (and one hidden track) jaunt through styles a-plenty; from psychedelic folk to blues grit.
If there's any argument for calling this truly 'experimental' it's because the duo leave the endings rough as a badger's bottom and have a tendency to throw in some Mellotron, a touch of flanging to the voice, or play stuff...backwards. Wow. But this is Macca and he's on form, seemingly using the freedom of relative anonymity to stretch out, relax, turn on, tune in, drop out and make like a kid in a sonic sandbox, mixing it up and throwing some curveballs. Opener, Nothing Too Much Just Out Of Sight comes on like Zep meeting Beefheart, full of mealy-mouthed blues harp and Helter Skelter raging. Light From Your Lighthouse comes direct from Dylan and the Band's rootsy basement and Lifelong Passion's raga and synth mix may well be Paul's tribute to George Harrison.
Not everything convinces. Is This Love? meanders dangerously like a b-side. Sun Is Shining drones with buccolic good naturedness but goes nowhere: Paul gets up sees the sun shining down etc. etc. Lovers In A Dream ("...warmer than the sun" repeated over a trance burble) falls down a somewhat featureless hole between early Primal Scream and the Orb, while Dance 'Til We're High misses being Paul Oakenfold and instead ends up like Phil Spector.
No matter, this is a rather tasty little album that reminds us again who was the adventurous one in the Moptops. Thumbs aloft, indeed.
[Source: bbc.co.uk]
See also: The Fireman - Electric Arguments
Buy Electric Arguments
