How to buy… McCartney III
SDE examines the myriad of coloured vinyl pressings
There was much excitement on Wednesday this week when it was finally clear that Paul McCartney would indeed be releasing a new album this year, and that would be McCartney III.
Any new Paul McCartney album is a big deal, but I think it’s fair to say that his standing/popularity as a solo artist has ebbed and flowed somewhat over the last four decades. When he released Driving Rain in 2001, many people couldn’t have cared less and it stalled at a shockingly low number 46 in the UK album charts. Chaos and Creation in the Backyard from 2005 enjoyed critical acclaim, but it underperformed commercially, to the degree that Paul left EMI after more than four decades with the label to go and seek fresh ideas from Concord Music Group/Hear Music.
Since 2007’s Memory Almost Full, McCartney has issued two ‘proper’ studio albums: 2012’s New and Egypt Station from 2018, both of which used high profile producers like Mark Ronson, Paul Epworth and Greg Kurstin. In fact the last time Paul didn’t have any kind of production assistance was for 1980’s McCartney II. Even Paul’s ‘Fireman’ side-project albums benefit from the sounding board that is Youth, and we know what a great producer he is.
Paul McCartney has actually done something rather clever. Like a filmmaker who needs to put bums on seats, he’s opted for a ‘franchise’ album. You never really know what you’re going to get with a new Macca long-player, but if it’s a ‘McCartney’ album you do know – sort of. The key ingredients are that Paul himself plays all the instruments, he writes all the songs and he produces it. For better or for worse, it’s pure unadulterated, full fat, McCartney. Such a record is likely to produce nuggets of brilliance (‘Maybe I’m Amazed’, ‘Coming Up’) and probably some ‘what-was-he-thinking’ moments too (‘Kreen-Akrore’, ‘Bogey Music’).
One thing that is different is that the marketing machine, the social media, the global reach of the McCartney ‘brand’ is enormous these days. MPL and Capitol Records are not going to sit on their hands and just slip the album out casually on black vinyl and CD, they are going to collaborate and do exclusive deals all over the place to get ‘retail’ interested in Paul’s new record. To that end, they have created a large amount of coloured vinyl exclusives either for certain retailers, or global territories, or both. SDE examines all the options and indicates where you can buy them (if they are still available).
McCartney III: The 333 edition
Amazingly, McCartney III wasn’t announced first by Paul directly, but by Third Man Records, the independent record label founded by Jack White in Detroit, Michigan, in 2001. They promoted this special edition an hour or so before the official confirmation from team McCartney.
What’s different? This was limited to 333 copies and is pressed on ‘yellow-with-black-dots’ vinyl created using 33 recycled vinyl copies of McCartney and McCartney II by Third Man Pressing. Cover features a yellow dice and the Third Man logo, top right.
Where to buy: It sold out in about 20 minutes. These are now selling for thousands on eBay, even though no one actually has one in their hands yet.
McCartney III red vinyl
McCartney III pressed on red vinyl. Front cover artwork features a red dice.
Where to buy:
McCartney III alternative red vinyl
McCartney III pressed on red vinyl. Like the 333 edition this one is pressed at Third Man Records and is limited to 3000 units. It is distinguished from the *other* red version by the yellow Third Man Records logo, top right.
Where to buy: Paul McCartney’s online shop (but sadly sold out)
McCartney III blue vinyl
McCartney III pressed on blue. Front cover artwork features a the standard white dice.
Where to buy:
McCartney III ‘coke bottle’ clear vinyl
McCartney III pressed on ‘coke bottle’ clear vinyl. This was a Spotify exclusive and fans were emailed with the message “Paul McCartney made you something special”.
Where to buy: Now sold out, although this *was* the link.
McCartney III pink vinyl
McCartney III pressed on pink vinyl. Front cover artwork features a the standard white dice.
Where to buy: Now sold out, but was available at US retailer Newbury Comics
McCartney III white vinyl
McCartney III pressed on white vinyl. Front cover artwork features the standard white dice. This is an indies-only limited edition.
Where to buy:
- The SDE shop (currently sold out, but hoping to get some more)
- Rough Trade in the USA
- Your local independent retailer
McCartney III green vinyl
McCartney III pressed on green vinyl. Alternate front cover artwork features a green dice.
Where to buy: Target in the USA
McCartney III black vinyl
The black vinyl
McCartney III pressed on black vinyl. Standard front cover artwork features a white dice. The irony is that this could become the rarest vinyl since everyone is opting for the coloured varieties!
Where to buy:
Compare prices and pre-order
Paul McCartney
McCartney III - black vinyl LP
What about CDs?
There are no CDs with any kind of bonus tracks, but Target in the USA do have a CD with alternate cover art (green dice rather than white). That same version is also available in JPC in Germany, so since Target won’t ship to Europe/UK then that is probably the best option if you want this.
McCartney III CD with green dice on the cover
Where to buy:
McCartney III standard CD
This is the ‘normal’ CD that is widely available.
Where to buy:
Compare prices and pre-order
Paul McCartney
McCartney III - CD edition
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