Stung by criticism of his home-made debut album, McCartney put a lot of time and effort into making Ram a more ambitious, glossier effort, hiring some of New York's best sessionmen (including the New York Philharmonic -- they're uncredited, but that's them on Long-Haired Lady and others). In the end, though, Ram lacks the charm of its predecessor. Which doesn't mean it isn't a damn fine, listenable record. It'll particularly impress anyone who thinks Abbey Road is the best album ever, as it often recalls its more illustrious fellow. In fact, this is the most Beatlish album Paul would record for some time: Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey is similar to the 'mini-symphonies' of Abbey Road, Long-Haired Lady recalls Hey Jude, Dear Boy wouldn't have been out of place on the white album, and there's odd bits of whimsey like the Ram On banjo-led singalong. (The title, of course, is a pun on Paul's old Hamburg alias of Paul Ramon.) Elsewhere, Eat At Home and Back Seat Of My Car are heartfelt tributes to Buddy Holly and Brian Wilson respectively. A very endearing record that still replays listening.