You may or may not be acquainted with Paul McCartney's debut solo album released in 1970. Titled plainly McCartney, by all accounts it has had a chequered existence, championed and vilified in equal portions. It is not certain whether Steve Mayone's attempt at aping this release will draw the same cross section of opinion, but fifty years on from the dawning of a post-Beatles era, MAYONE plants an element of inquisitive curiosity in those who cross its path. As someone who was not acquainted with McCartney (the album not the bloke!), a couple of spins on those much aligned streaming sites proved an interesting companion when getting to grips with its half century on bedfellow.
However let's leave Sir Paul behind (he's not short on press) and focus on what Steve Mayone has done with a record that has been deemed a side project. Cramming thirteen tracks into a twenty-seven minute playing time is a feat in itself, but it does have a template to follow. The mix of songs and instrumentals plays to the strengths of Steve Mayone who extends his multi-instrumentalist repertoire to a large degree when turning his hand to almost double figures of instruments taking in multiple strings, keys and rhythm.
MAYONE took on a real sense of purpose when his band's delayed album became one of 2020's many casualties. Not one to sit back, this alternative project got set in motion and must be one of the year's final releases when hitting the overseas markets on December 18th, although it has been available in the US for a while. When consuming this album, you get a true sense of Mayone's creativity, whether delivering little ditty fillers or songs of a more meaningful purpose.
The album scores highly in how the instrumental pieces are smartly spaced out, segueing neatly into the conventional songs. 'Missouri Loves Compay' stands out in the album's early stages with its very Beatles-ish vibe to almost make an understatement. In the latter stages, the impish 'Happy Alcoholidays' thrives on its play of words to disguise a more significant meaning. At the heart of the record, a good ole honest rocker in 'Sweet Little Anchor' holds fort complete with a fleeting sixties style sound.
MAYONE is a short sharp release that brings the year to a close creating sufficient waves to seek out niches to nestle in. It shines a bright light on the talents of Steve Mayone and leaves the listener richer for all the avenues it leads you down.