Do you love The Smiths or The Stone Roses or acts like Bon Iver or Mumford & Sons? They all owe their origins to this lovely little album by Sir Paul McCartney (and his then wife, Linda). Paul (& Linda) flew off to New York after the acrimonious Beatles split, gathered a bunch of musicians and recorded this fresh and almost bucolic LP. ‘Ram’ was the first indie pop album.

Panned by the critics when it came out, today it’s considered as the torchbearer for anything that is new, independent and fresh. The critics probably didn’t get the music as it was not what they were expecting from a bright Beatle, newly out of the band. Or they were expecting something grand like what they got from John Lennon (The Plastic Ono Band) and George Harrison (All Things Must Pass). Instead they got a series of unpolished melodies with jumpy lyrics and some mad screaming vocals. Or, that’s what they would have thought. And, Lennon dismissed it by saying, "I feel sad about Paul's albums ... I don't think there's one good tune on the last one, Ram ... he seems to be going strange." Although, general audience found it pretty alright and a few songs got into charts as well.

With the 2012 re-release, the world was ready to see the album in a new light. Having heard several indie acts, they realized, that this is where it all started. Unknowingly, while in the state of being in domestic bliss and having fun writing songs, Paul McCartney gave birth to making music your own way, independently, without having the guidelines of a big label or trying to score a hit.

To me, the entire album is a stand out, but then there are certain songs that stand out even more. There is the ukulele and spontaneity of the title track. There is the gentle beauty of the twin song Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey (Paul’s first solo no 1 hit in the US). There is the wild screaming and cadence of Monkberry Moon Delight. Then there is marital bliss of Eat At Home. And then, there is the crazy contrast of Another Day/Oh Woman, Oh Why. Linda adds the right backing vocals across the album.

To me, McCartney, who celebrated his 78^th birthday last month was the most gifted Beatle, musically. Lennon had a specific dreamy, introspective (poetry) and sometimes rock n roll style. Harrison had a spiritual and bluesy ballad style. But it was Paul who had the versatility to take on anything from blues to ballads to hard rock to metal to rock n roll or anything that you can just call Paul. And this versatility is beautifully evident in almost all his subsequent solo albums including this one.

Year: 1971

Label: Apple

Genre: Indi Pop

Producer: Paul & Linda McCartney

Rating: 4.5/5

Reviewed by Meraj Hasan

Meraj Hasan is a Mumbai based communication professional (and an amateur poet/musician) with a passion for listening to music the vinyl way. His 25 year old Technics turntable along with a humble collection of LPs across genres like Classic rock, Classical, Blues and Jazz (amongst others) are his prized possessions.

He can be reached at +91 9833410791 or email: meraj.hasan@gmail.com