Electric Arguments

Paul McCartney and producer Youth have now long been identified as the brains behind once-anonymous electronica duo the Fireman, but even if they hadn't, the project's third release would be an instant giveaway, as it's the first Fireman album to include McCartney's vocals. And with his voice on "Electric Arguments" comes a much more diverse, song-based, pop/rock-oriented approach to the Fireman's experimental slant. Opener "Nothing Too Much Just out of Sight" is a growling, fiery blues jam, followed by the sunny, acoustic, "Blackbird"-descendent "Two Magpies." New age, psychedelia and gospel take turns with more straightforward, at times derivative classic rock, until world-infused ambient tracks find their way back to the Fireman's focus with "Lovers in a Dream" and "Universal Here, Everlasting Now." The set closes with the Zeppelin-esque "Don't Stop Running"—and it's clear from the sheer range and energy on this album that McCartney is heeding his own advice.—Evie Nagy