Chaos and Creation in the Backyard is the thirteenth solo studio album by Paul McCartney, released on 12 and 13 September 2005.

[2][3] Some 18 months in the making, the album was produced by Radiohead and Beck collaborator Nigel Godrich at George Martin's suggestion.

In addition, Chaos and Creation in the Backyard marks the first time since 1984's Give My Regards to Broad Street that McCartney was not credited as producer or co-producer of one of his studio albums.

Upon being asked to produce an album with McCartney, Godrich admitted, "My initial reaction was one of terror, not only because it's a very important person, but I really wasn't sure how willing he would be to get his hands dirty.

[7] The cover for Chaos and Creation in the Backyard is from a photograph of McCartney strumming a guitar in his family's back yard in Liverpool, taken by his brother Mike McCartney (aka Mike McGear) and originally titled Paul Under Washing, before being retitled Our Kid Through Mum's Net Curtains.

The song was also offered as a free download in Windows Media Audio format to US customers who purchased the CD at Target stores.

Reviewing for the BBC, Daryl Easlea described Chaos and Creation as "Very, very good", and added: "'Riding to Vanity Fair', 'Too Much Rain', 'Anyway' and 'How Kind of You' are full of subtle nuances, killer hooks and sweet surprises.

"[20] In The New York Times, Jon Pareles wrote that McCartney's return to a multi-instrumentalist role "makes the songs more intimate and less conventional", while remarking of the project: "Sir Paul chose a producer who favored the experimental side: Nigel Godrich … Sir Paul also lined up his best backup band since the Beatles: himself.

[23] According to the annual report published by EMI, Chaos and Creation in the Backyard had sold 1.3 million copies worldwide by the end of March 2006.

Recording dates per The Paul McCartney Project[27] Fine Line How Kind of You Jenny Wren At the Mercy Friends to Go English Tea Too Much Rain A Certain Softness Riding to Vanity Fair Follow Me Promise to You Girl This Never Happened Before Anyway