Sir Paul has recently been inspired by a lot more than the rainbows and moonbeams that have seemingly been the subject of the bulk of his solo work - namely the death of his beloved wife Linda.

Driving Rain, out on Tuesday, is the first studio album since she passed away, and the music shows more spirit, passion and adventure than he has in years. Sure, there's still the odd piece of fluff that pops up - cute, pretty songs about nothing in particular, like Spinning On An Axis, which is about, er, the Earth's rotation. Tiny Bubble - a stab at R&B - is also almost substance-free (and not, alas, a tribute to Don Ho). Yet even this is delivered with a fresh voice, an inventive arrangement and overall production that lifts even the knock-offs far above the middle of the road. When Paul applies his music to real emotions - or is that vice versa? - the songs add up to a revealing and compelling drama. From Lonely Road (about Linda) to About You (about his new fiancee Heather) to the healing Back In the Sunshine Again, he sounds energized.

His fans should be, too. (More on: Paul McCartney).

Track Listing 1. Lonely Road
  2. From A Lover To A Friend
  3. She's Given Up Talking
  4. Driving Rain
  5. I Do
  6. Tiny Bubble
  7. Magic
  8. Your Way
  9. Spinning On An Axis
  10. About You
  11. Heather
  12. Back In The Sunshine Again
  13. Your Loving Flame
  14. Riding Into Jaipur
  15. Rinse The Raindrops
  16. Freedom