1971 Album, Once Dismissed by Critics, Is Now Ranked Paul McCartney's Best Post-Beatles Release
Paul McCartney, 83, is one of the most revered music icons of all time, but his second post-Beatles release, Ram, was initially met with mixed critical reviews. More than five decades later, Ram is now being celebrated as one of McCartney's greatest achievements.
The album's critical transformation didn't happen overnight. Once considered whimsical and uneven, Ram is now widely regarded as one of the music legend's strongest post-Beatles works. McCartney's only credited collaboration with wife Linda McCartney, Ram is receiving renewed praise, further cementing the album as one of his most inventive and influential releases outside The Beatles.
In a May 2026 ranking, Mojo magazine named Ram Paul McCartney's No. 1 post-Beatles album.
"Recorded in New York and mixed in Los Angeles," Mojo wrote, "Ram was far from the super-smooth album that the public possibly expected in the wake of the handmade McCartney. Instead, Paul carried over some of that initial experiment's looseness while developing a more episodic songwriting style."
The publication cited the album's overt Beach Boys influences and "cartoonish pop," describing the overall effect as "that of an artist at play in a cloud of childlike wonder."
Besting McCartney's 1973 release Band on the Run and his 2005 album Chaos and Creation in the Backyard, Mojo's recent ranking further solidifies Ram as one of McCartney's defining solo works.
Why Ram Was Initially Dismissed by Critics
Though Ram is now widely considered one of the entertainer's best post-Beatles projects, the initial critical response was far more divided. In light of the more serious work being recorded by George Harrison and John Lennon, Ram was seen by some critics as frivolous and inconsistent.
The album's blend of home-recorded experimentation and melodic songwriting caused some critics to dismiss the album as lightweight. Despite the criticism, the album was still a commercial success, reaching No. 1 in the U.K. and No. 2 in the United States.
With the benefit of hindsight, critical opinion has shifted dramatically. Today, Ram is frequently celebrated as one of McCartney's most inventive solo projects and is often credited with influencing later indie and alternative pop artists.
The Hit Songs That Helped Define Ram
Ram includes several standout tracks that helped the album earn its reputation as one of McCartney's best. Fan favorites include "Too Many People," "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey," "Dear Boy" and "The Back Seat of My Car."
"Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" became McCartney's first No. 1 solo single in the United States, showcasing his ability to seamlessly shift musical styles within a single composition.
The album's layered harmonies, playful songwriting and genre-blending production have only grown more appreciated over time, particularly among younger listeners rediscovering McCartney's post-Beatles catalog.
Paul McCartney's Cultural Influence Remains Strong Today
Paul McCartney's cultural influence continues to resonate far beyond his Beatles legacy. Earlier this year, in the same theater where The Beatles first performed on American television, McCartney delivered an emotional performance as Stephen Colbert's final musical guest before The Late Show ended its run.
The music icon also continues to perform to sold-out crowds around the world, including a recent series of high-profile concerts in Los Angeles. A who's who of music's biggest stars - including Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, John Mayer and Anthony Kiedis - attended the performances to watch one of popular music's most influential artists in action.As McCartney's music continues reaching new generations and critics reassess his post-Beatles work, Ram's resurgence reflects a larger cultural shift surrounding his solo catalog. More than 50 years after its release, the once-divisive album is now being recognized not only as a creative triumph, but as one of the defining records of McCartney's legendary career.
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This story was originally published May 28, 2026 at 4:32 PM.