Ram

When Ram was originally released back in 1971, the album was met with hostility both by critics who viewed it as sappy pap, and by fans still groggy from their post-Beatles hangovers. It’s easy to see why Ram, released just six months after John Lennon’s Plastic Ono Band, was being picked on. Where Lennon’s lyrics were confessional and—at times—darker than they’d ever been, McCartney was waxing whimsical on marital bliss while secluding himself on a Scottish farm. The past couple decades have been much kinder. Sir Paul’s sophomore release eventually gained acceptance for its cutesiness, and was finally recognized for being what it was—a great pop record. Opener “Too Many People” remains one of McCartney’s great rock songs (and even includes a couple jabs at Lennon), and “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey”—derided by critics 40 years ago—is great, silly fun. The reissue includes eight bonus tracks, cut around the same time, that add to an already spotless collection. Lennon was always respected for being the weird, brooding ex-Beatle, but the passing of time has made it OK to embrace McCartney for being unapologetically cheery.