My 14th nominee in the Beatles Solo Project is Wings at the Speed of Sound. Paul's 5th album with Wings turned out to be the most commercially successful album of their time together when released in 1976. It is the home of "Let 'Em In" and "Silly Love Songs." Paul was accused by critics at the time of morphing into Engelbert Humperdinck, the romantic crooner. “Silly Love Songs” was written in response to these criticisms, and it became North America’s #1 song of 1976. “Let ‘Em In” is Paul’s ode to beloved friends and family members. (‘Suzy’ is his wife Linda, who once recorded as Suzy and the Red Stripes.) “Beware My Love” is another highlight, and the 2014 reissue includes a bonus version with Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham on drums. Wings at the Speed of Sound is the only time Paul gave equal time to each band member, by having them sing lead on at least one song. Denny Laine has his finest moment on a Wings album, with “Time to Hide.” (His performance of “The Note You Never Wrote” is also good.) This is the only Wings album to feature American drummer Joe English, who is heard singing “Must Do Something About It.” It is also the final Wings album with guitarist Jimmy McCulloch. Wings at the Speed of Sound was released to coincide with their successful tour of America, as documented on their live album, Wings Over America.
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