Maybe we’re amazed

“Band on the Run” is, without a doubt, Paul McCartney’s best album from his solo career and the single best solo album of any Beatle for that matter (Sorry, Ringo).

And I know it may be blasphemy, but I’m going to go ahead and say that it’s even better than at least two Beatles albums. The latter half of the Lennon/McCartney songwriting powerhouse managed to create an album that is extraordinarily amazing.

From the sporadic nature of the opening track’s first two minutes to the chant-along chorus of “Mrs. Vandebilt” to the swingtime driving anthem of “Helen Wheels,” the album flows perfectly from start to finish, exemplifying the old rock axiom of “all killer, no filler.”

They pull out all the stops for the bonus features of the reissue, including a 120-page hardcover book, live versions of six songs, music videos and a DVD documentary including footage from the recording studio.

It’s all great, and what’s better, the McCartney camp plans to do the same for all his solo albums.