The Real Macaw

More information Review scores, Source ...

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[5]
Robert Christgau	B+[6]
Classic Rock	[7]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music	[8]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide	[9]
Rolling Stone	[10]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide	[11]
Spin Alternative Record Guide	5/10[1]

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Rolling Stone called The Real Macaw "a propulsive, brilliantly sung LP."^[10] Trouser Press called the album "a disc that is watered down and should have been harder."^[2] PopMatters wrote that "even with some dated-sounded keyboard work, it's right up there with the best pop-oriented rock albums of all time."^[12]

All songs written by Graham Parker

1. "Just Like a Man"
2. "You Can't Take Love for Granted"
3. "Glass Jaw"
4. "Passive Resistance"
5. "Sounds Like Chains"
6. "Life Gets Better"
7. "A Miracle a Minute"
8. "Beyond a Joke"
9. "Last Couple on the Dance Floor"
10. "Anniversary"
11. "(Too Late) The Smart Bomb"

• Graham Parker - lead and backing vocals, "blue and hollow" guitars
• Brinsley Schwarz - "orange and black" guitars
• George Small - keyboards
• Kevin Jenkins - bass
• Gilson Lavis - drums

Additional musicians

• Sarah Larson - violin
• Mel Collins - saxophone
• Morris Pert - percussion
• Andy Ebsworth - Linn drum programming

Studio

• Phil Thornalley - recording and mixing engineer
• Recorded at Ramport Studios, Battersea
• Mixed at Eel Pie Island Studio, Twickenham