Played it 3 times on the bounce, I was that taken with it. I really like the cohesive sound, and there are some cracking songs. Very different, very brave, he has toyed with this sound before (I was thinking Brand New Start would fit right in), but he has nailed it here I reckon.
I`m listening to it for the first time at this moment, `Old Castles` (track 5) has just finished. I`ve enjoyed every song so far, if this is continued with the next 9 tracks, not counting the extra 5 tracks, `True Meanings` will be in his top 3 solo albums.
Just finished my first listen to the album, extra tracks currently playing. This is a very good PW album, I`ve enjoyed most of his albums but thought he was losing it with the last one `Saturns Pattern`.
I was wrong.
His voice is better than ever. The singing on the Jawbone soundtrack was sublime and this album has continued where that left off.
The song Gravity on this new album has been around for five years or so and was the touchstone for this album.
I was lucky enough to get second row at The Festival Hall next month when he plays with a full orchestra… I can’t blooming wait !
I’m a sucker for Paul Weller. I’ve sporadically bought from his solo catalogue without finding anything that really floats my boat. I love what he does producing others (Steve Ellis this year is a perfect example) and I simply adored The Jam. This one is already creating an itch in my brain. It’s only a matter of time before I succumb. I see Weller’s personal favourite is that Saturn one, available dirt cheap. That’s weaving its spell as we speak.
I loved Wildwood and the couple that followed it but then after Heavy Soul I lost interest. His voice is a bit tiresome – husky soft or angry slightly shouty. I’ll give this one a go though as you all seem to like it.
Having listened to it a few times I’m not hearing Wildwood, which tapped into 70s folk rock, but rather 60s MOR – all those strings etc. Vaguely Scott Walker sans the voice. Reminds me of the Last Shadow Puppets first album in more muted form.
Wildwood – channelling Traffic – was a real high point for me. The reviews for this one made me pre-order the fancy version, which arrived at the weekend – I’m really looking forward to a proper listen, so it hasn’t had a spin yet.
He’s a late blooming Winwood (or maybe even Cros in a way – similarly late flowering) if you ask me – and I get the feeling there’s possibly a lot more to come, as – to his enormous credit – he doesn’t seem to be running out of steam.
I admired rather than loved the Jam, but never found the need to buy more than “Snap”, and I found the Style Council pretty disposable over all, so when the first two solo albums were absolute belters, I was a willing convert.
I’m rubbing my hands with glee and hoping to be delighted. Caveat is that I found ’22 Dreams’ to be better described as ’22 Demos’, as in hear it once, be unimpressed, put it back on the shelf and never reach for it again, but there you go.
Always liked Paul without actually any love, like that bloke you bump into and you go for a drink, arrange to meet up “soon” and never do.
Beautiful afternoon here in The Languedoc, not a cloud in the sky. Sunday lunch was just fine washed down by a pint of no-alcohol beer (thanks, Mr Chiles). Mrs W off doing whatever it is she does up there and I have just listened to this as the birds tweet and the grape harvest machines trundle slowly by.
But by golly, this is a dull dull record! Would anybody buy this if it wasn’t Paul Weller? I really must give him a ring
Didn’t mind A Kind Revolution, which was better than the awful Saturn’s Pattern. But for some reason I’m not that bothered about this album? Is it worth a listen? Really?
Now the new Costello album, from what I’ve heard, sounds superb….. Imperial even…
Have listened to it once and first impressions were that it’s fine but that it will probably go the way of all of his solo albums (most of which I’ve bought) in being quite enjoyed without lasting the course for any period of time. I admire and like Weller more than I love his music.
I didn’t expect to be, but I’m actually quite impressed by what I’ve heard so far. I read each glowing report and thought ‘yes, but this happened with each of his recent albums, and they all just sound like a second rate Paul Weller album ’ But this one sounds like it might live up to the hype
Rigid Digit says
Only half a listen so far, but I’m inclined to agree
Gary says
I am agree.
NigelT says
Played it 3 times on the bounce, I was that taken with it. I really like the cohesive sound, and there are some cracking songs. Very different, very brave, he has toyed with this sound before (I was thinking Brand New Start would fit right in), but he has nailed it here I reckon.
Rigid Digit says
A slightly less pastoral Wild Wood with a bit of Zombies chucked into the mix.
Lots of strings.
I am really liking his latest left turn
bungliemutt says
Wasn’t expecting much from it – thought A Kind Revolution was dreadful – but it’s rather good.
That’s 3 decent Paul albums in the last month; McCartney, Simon and Weller.
Baron Harkonnen says
I`m listening to it for the first time at this moment, `Old Castles` (track 5) has just finished. I`ve enjoyed every song so far, if this is continued with the next 9 tracks, not counting the extra 5 tracks, `True Meanings` will be in his top 3 solo albums.
Baron Harkonnen says
Just finished my first listen to the album, extra tracks currently playing. This is a very good PW album, I`ve enjoyed most of his albums but thought he was losing it with the last one `Saturns Pattern`.
I was wrong.
dai says
Interesting. Will have to try it on Spotify. Gave up after the one after 22 Dreams.
Razor Boy says
His voice is better than ever. The singing on the Jawbone soundtrack was sublime and this album has continued where that left off.
The song Gravity on this new album has been around for five years or so and was the touchstone for this album.
I was lucky enough to get second row at The Festival Hall next month when he plays with a full orchestra… I can’t blooming wait !
ruff-diamond says
I have this on pre-order (its not released here in the US until the end of the month) – really looking forward to it.
Carl says
I maybe should give it a go, after giving up on him with the godawful Sonik Kicks.
Tiggerlion says
I’m a sucker for Paul Weller. I’ve sporadically bought from his solo catalogue without finding anything that really floats my boat. I love what he does producing others (Steve Ellis this year is a perfect example) and I simply adored The Jam. This one is already creating an itch in my brain. It’s only a matter of time before I succumb. I see Weller’s personal favourite is that Saturn one, available dirt cheap. That’s weaving its spell as we speak.
Uncle Wheaty says
Just listened to it on Spotify and it is good and certainly a departure from recent releases.
More listens needed to tease out the best tracks.
Twang says
I loved Wildwood and the couple that followed it but then after Heavy Soul I lost interest. His voice is a bit tiresome – husky soft or angry slightly shouty. I’ll give this one a go though as you all seem to like it.
Chrisf says
Wildwood has always been my favourite of his. This one reminds me a lot of that album.
Twang says
Having listened to it a few times I’m not hearing Wildwood, which tapped into 70s folk rock, but rather 60s MOR – all those strings etc. Vaguely Scott Walker sans the voice. Reminds me of the Last Shadow Puppets first album in more muted form.
Vulpes Vulpes says
Wildwood – channelling Traffic – was a real high point for me. The reviews for this one made me pre-order the fancy version, which arrived at the weekend – I’m really looking forward to a proper listen, so it hasn’t had a spin yet.
He’s a late blooming Winwood (or maybe even Cros in a way – similarly late flowering) if you ask me – and I get the feeling there’s possibly a lot more to come, as – to his enormous credit – he doesn’t seem to be running out of steam.
I admired rather than loved the Jam, but never found the need to buy more than “Snap”, and I found the Style Council pretty disposable over all, so when the first two solo albums were absolute belters, I was a willing convert.
I’m rubbing my hands with glee and hoping to be delighted. Caveat is that I found ’22 Dreams’ to be better described as ’22 Demos’, as in hear it once, be unimpressed, put it back on the shelf and never reach for it again, but there you go.
Twang says
I’m intrigued to see what you think, as channeling Traffic floated my boat too. I don’t hear it this time though.
Moose the Mooche says
The only one left who keeps surprising us. Bless him for that if nothing else.
Lodestone of Wrongness says
Always liked Paul without actually any love, like that bloke you bump into and you go for a drink, arrange to meet up “soon” and never do.
Beautiful afternoon here in The Languedoc, not a cloud in the sky. Sunday lunch was just fine washed down by a pint of no-alcohol beer (thanks, Mr Chiles). Mrs W off doing whatever it is she does up there and I have just listened to this as the birds tweet and the grape harvest machines trundle slowly by.
But by golly, this is a dull dull record! Would anybody buy this if it wasn’t Paul Weller? I really must give him a ring
MC Escher says
You live in France? You should have said something!
Wheldrake says
Didn’t mind A Kind Revolution, which was better than the awful Saturn’s Pattern. But for some reason I’m not that bothered about this album? Is it worth a listen? Really?
Now the new Costello album, from what I’ve heard, sounds superb….. Imperial even…
Askwith says
The new album is great.
And… I do love Weller with Townshend here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sP5fl2gSb8
Blue Boy says
Have listened to it once and first impressions were that it’s fine but that it will probably go the way of all of his solo albums (most of which I’ve bought) in being quite enjoyed without lasting the course for any period of time. I admire and like Weller more than I love his music.
Vulpes Vulpes says
Gosh, no. Go back and listen again. The first few are marvellous.
Lemonhope says
I didn’t expect to be, but I’m actually quite impressed by what I’ve heard so far. I read each glowing report and thought ‘yes, but this happened with each of his recent albums, and they all just sound like a second rate Paul Weller album ’ But this one sounds like it might live up to the hype
Beezer says
Well, I think it’s lovely
There’s another 200,000 sales.