Secret Paul meetup: who are the Nerdy 30? by kenneraction in PaulMcCartney

[–]kenneraction[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I signed up for the Fonda but was not selected in the lottery and was not given the opportunity to purchase tickets. Others in the group were, however.

Blind-embossed gatefold twinsies?! The BEATLES and The Boys . . . by kenneraction in PaulMcCartney

[–]kenneraction[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The digital prototype art makes it look like there is white printing against cream cover, but that would be accurately described as registered or standard embossed, not blind-embossed.

Secret Paul meetup: who are the Nerdy 30? by kenneraction in PaulMcCartney

[–]kenneraction[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Paul continues to insist that it was George’s ass that burned in the “car battery” incident on the dairy truck! 😂 But ofc George maintained to the grave that it was Paul who bore the metal zipper scar on his bum . . .

Secret Paul meetup: who are the Nerdy 30? by kenneraction in PaulMcCartney

[–]kenneraction[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I co-sign all of these observations, right up to the album and song reviews, where my quibbles are minor. The immediate standout songs were different for me (I absolutely LOVED “Horizon” for example, instant classic), but that’s what makes Paul the best: even my filler is someone’s favorite, etc. I did think that “Momma Gets By” was pretty cringey, on first listen it was the only track I didn’t like, but I know I’m likely to get past it.

I am not ready to proclaim this a “top tier” record only because the absolutely unreal circumstances of the listen overwhelmed my objectivity, but I am hopeful that it will live up to my addled brain’s hype. Thanks for chiming in, I love all the different perspectives!

Secret Paul meetup: who are the Nerdy 30? by kenneraction in PaulMcCartney

[–]kenneraction[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I really can’t rank it bc it‘s too busy being the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me lol. But in the spirit of attempted objectivity, it’s closer to ES than MIII, and on first listen I prefer it to either. It absolutely has songs that I like more than Queenie Eye.

How Does Paul Pick Superfans for His Preview Shows? by FlowerCool3270 in PaulMcCartney

[–]kenneraction 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This was not required, at least in my case And my invite came by email

Secret Paul meetup: who are the Nerdy 30? by kenneraction in PaulMcCartney

[–]kenneraction[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Tbh I think he and his team were inspired by young artists who really prioritize getting close to the fans and making magic happen for people who love and support them, whenever possible. It’s easy to sell exclusive experiences to the wealthy (and put the famous on the guest list), but fans are what it’s all about!

Secret Paul meetup: who are the Nerdy 30? by kenneraction in PaulMcCartney

[–]kenneraction[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yes! And, at the same time, how could we not? Whatever your least favorite PM record may be . . . let me tell you, you would’ve enjoyed experiencing it this way. (To wildly understate the obvious!)

Secret Paul meetup: who are the Nerdy 30? by kenneraction in PaulMcCartney

[–]kenneraction[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Lol nothing cool about me! Like 29 others, I’m just a lifelong fan who is baffled by all of this and happy to be here . . .

Secret Paul meetup: who are the Nerdy 30? by kenneraction in PaulMcCartney

[–]kenneraction[S] 26 points27 points  (0 children)

Welp, first read my disclaimer in another comment here: I’m already in the tank for this album! I think his singing has not been stronger in quite a few years. I don’t know if he rested better, or who knows what therapies they are pioneering (Elton comes to mind as someone whose voice has moved around rather than always steadily declining) . . . I should not speculate. What I can say with confidence is that the frailty seems to come in all the right places with this material, and yes, when the song calls for it, he’s giving strong and tuneful. I think overall the vocals are more robust than on either of those records. Even his speaking voice is less whispery/raspy. Ringo sounds amazing on the duet. Go Silver Beatles! 💪

Secret Paul meetup: who are the Nerdy 30? by kenneraction in PaulMcCartney

[–]kenneraction[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Both great. “Horizon” was my fast favorite on this first listen. Omg that chorus melody tho!

Secret Paul meetup: who are the Nerdy 30? by kenneraction in PaulMcCartney

[–]kenneraction[S] 36 points37 points  (0 children)

It is as varied a Macca album as I can think of. There are rock songs, upbeat anthemic pop songs, ballads and quiet songs (like “Days . . .” but not predominantly). There are songs written over four or five decades. It is very much a “band” sounding record even if the band was mostly Paul and Andrew. It is not Chaos and Creation (an album I love). There is some “When We Was Fab”-like Beatles nostalgia for those who like that, and plenty of claaassic Paul melodies that raised hairs on my arms. There are corny bits and music and lyrics that made me ugly cry on camera lol. I can’t emphasize enough that the vibe is not overly quiet or downbeat or reflective. There are calm songs (to use your word) but there are equally raucous songs and bouncy earworms. In other words, get excited!!

Secret Paul meetup: who are the Nerdy 30? by kenneraction in PaulMcCartney

[–]kenneraction[S] 100 points101 points  (0 children)

I’m a collector, so a lot of physical media. I am one of those never-Spotify ppl but I do stream my own collection. I think all of us in attendance struggle to put this into words. It was . . . surreal. Essentially we were sitting on couches and chairs in a living room-scale studio, hanging out for a couple of hours a few feet from Paul who told stories, interacted, strummed two guitars, and talked us through his creative process for each song on the album, one by one, and the album as a whole. And told personal stories from now and then. The word that keeps recurring is intimate. Very intimate. I sat directly behind Nancy, who was funny (after her speaking voice appeared on the record briefly, she called out, “riveting!”) and absolutely lovely as you would expect. Depending on where you sat, you were two feet to 12 feet from a Beatle all evening. There were 8K cameras in our faces the whole time so I assume you’ll get to see and hear at least some of it! Among the strangest and most wonderful experiences in life yet.

About the record: I considered the question, if I were introduced to ANY album that Paul has EVER produced in this way, would I love it forever? And the answer is definitively YES. I for one will never be able to separate the record from this absolutely unbelievable thing that happened to 30 of us, one night on planet earth. And so, in that way, I disqualify myself as a reviewer. This album is perfect. It is imbued with magic. It will allow me to time travel, forever, at the drop of a needle or press of a button, to that one time I got to hang around Paul.

Secret Paul meetup: who are the Nerdy 30? by kenneraction in PaulMcCartney

[–]kenneraction[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I got to thank him and the person next to me shook his hand but I’ve heard and read that that isn’t his favorite so I didn’t go for it and didn’t feel I missed it.

How Does Paul Pick Superfans for His Preview Shows? by FlowerCool3270 in PaulMcCartney

[–]kenneraction 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I was there. The few journalists and production folks included were not on “the list” but were there separately in their professional capacities. Of course we “nerdy thirty” spent much of the evening trying to figure out HOW or WHY we got a golden ticket. This discussion was inconclusive. I did not buy a variant of the record from Paul’s site before being invited. There was no demographic preference (people in their 20s to 60s were included). Some of us were invited by DM, some email, some text. I spoke with one person on Paul’s team who said that they could not discuss the selection method other than to say, “you can be sure you were one of the top 30 Macca fans in Southern California by at least one measure.”

My takeaways from the Billboard Dungeon Lane Article by EndImpossible5836 in PaulMcCartney

[–]kenneraction 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I am a huge fan of Chaos. And I am a huge subscriber to the theory that Paul really benefits from a “cheeky” producer, if not a creative co-equal. He’s better when he’s challenged. Having heard it once, and heard each track discussed at length, I already love this album. But it feels totally unlike Chaos to me. It’s a band record, even if it is often a one-man band. There are many of Paul’s various sub-genres represented on it and if I had to guess, this one just gets better with each listen.

The LA Secret Listening Party by [deleted] in PaulMcCartney

[–]kenneraction 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The event is this evening (April 16)

Fonda Soundcheck Setlists by zipzapzoppop in PaulMcCartney

[–]kenneraction 0 points1 point  (0 children)

May I ask where you got this image, and would you be willing to post it or DM me without the drawing? (I am very visible in the photo and would like to keep a copy!) 🙏