Ringo Starr - Postcards from Paradise (Album Review)

Considering it is Fathers Day, I thought that I would do one for all of the Dads out there! So here goes! Ringo Starr was the drummer in the world-renowned band 'The Beatles'. However, he has recently brought out a new album called 'Postcards from Paradise' which was released on the 31st of March 2015.

'Rory and the Hurricanes' is the first song to open up Ringo's impressive 18th solo studio album. The song has a sturdy beat on the introduction, followed by Starrs slow-paced vocals. I think that the backing vocals compliment this track as it gives the song a 1960's vibe to it. This reminisces you back to the era of The Beatles; which also reminisces back to the era in which 'Rory Storm and the Hurricanes' were around, the band that kicked Ringo's career off and in which Ringo played the drums in before The Beatles.

"We were sleeping on the floor, living off bread and jam. Because we thought we hit the big times, we didn't give a damn."

I think that what Starr is trying to portray is how Rory Storm & the Hurricanes got so caught up with the fame they were receiving, that they thought that they were more successful than they actually were. As he states how they thought that they had hit the big time, when in reality they were just:

"sleeping on the floor living off bread and jam."

However they couldn't give a damn because they were all under the illusion that they were going to be the best band in the world. Also Starr didn't care because it was his first taste of success, and this was the band that made Ringo a star after all!

'You Bring the Party Down' is the second track on the album, and it sounds like it is addressed to a dear friend, who perhaps has a mental illness or a drug problem?

"I tried to help you, time and time again. I thought you'd listen to me, your dear old friend."

However, earlier on in the song Starr goes on to say... 

"The times are changing, but you don't understand. Still living off your memories when you were in the band."

Obviously in the 60's and 70's psychedelic era when The Beatles were around, everybody was using recreational drugs. Therefore this song can't just be about a friend. This song is about somebody in a band; perhaps the same band as Ringo? Maybe even a band member in The Beatles?

'Postcards from Paradise' enters with a techno feel. This is one of the love songs on the album; and Starr does not make it sound subtle or discreet in the slightest. After all, why would he?

"With all my loving, I'll be true... Postcards from paradise, as ever P.S. I love you."

With its whimsy romantic beats, and rhyming lyrics; this is easily one of my favourite tracks off the album.

"It's like I said the night before, I'll love you when I'm 64!"

'Right Side of the Road' has quite a funky reggae feel to it. This differentiates itself from the more rock/techno songs within the album.

"Maybe choose another direction, you got so many ways to go."

'Not looking back' is another romantic song which is similar to 'Postcards from Paradise'. 'Not looking back' also has a 1960's feel to it, due to the dreamy and blissful vocals accompanied by smooth percussion.

"Our future still looking bright, where will we go from here? Still together after all of these years..."

I'm presuming that this beautiful, uplifting blues song is about his wife; Barbara Bach. This track really brings out Starrs hopeless romantic side!

"And I promise you, I'll love you for a thousand years."

This song is also another favourite of mine, as it leads people to believe that true love is still out there.

'Island in the Sun' this song is a very jazzy blues song, with its predictable rhyming lyrics - I would definitely recommend this song. This track also has a relaxed reggae vibe to it as well.

"It's not what you've got, it's what you give. It's not how you die, it's how you live."

'Island in the Sun' is also similar to another track on the album called 'Confirmation'. However, I would say that 'Confirmation' is leaning more towards soul and blues rather than reggae.

In conclusion; considering I am not a big Beatles fan, I love Ringo Starrs new album! This album is jam-packed full of predictable, rhythmic and contagious lyrics accompanied by funky soulful beats! I have recommended the majority of the songs off the album, which is unlike me! The few songs that I purposely did not write about were because they did not particularly stand out to me. However Starr has put together a fantastic album, with a little help from his friends. Impressively, his 18th solo album and a good one at that! So congratulations! I hope that more people start listening to this album because you're missing out big time!!

Watch out Paul McCartney!

8/10